Super Mom

“That’s not enough sleep though mom.”

“Ten hours? That’s nearly half the day.”

“Oh, sushi sounds even better. Is there a sushi place nearby?”

“Yeah. August 8, is just around the corner.”

“You’re awesome, you know that mom?”

“Thanks sweet pea. I like to think that I still got it.”

“Ten hours? It’s time to get up young lady.”

“Yeah, I like that.”

“Let’s hope that no one claims her, but if they do then we can always go and get another kitten from pet smart or something.”

“Sounds fair enough.” He laughed. “What do you feel like eating? Chinese? Italian?”

“Italian. Or maybe we could go out for sushi?”

“Probably Artemis or Mercury.”

“I like Artemis. We could nickname her Arty.”

Houston couldn’t help but smile at that. “Yes! That would be amazing. It will be the greatest dinner you ever had, I promise you. Do you feel like eating out or at home? I could try to cook something.” He said, with a grin still on his face. “I’ll make sure I won’t forget.” 

“How about we eat out? The last time we cooked together, we almost lite the house on fire.” She laughed gently. 

“Nothing has changed, Lace. I still love you and I’m sure you still love me.” Houston looked right at his ex-wife. “I have been ready since the day I asked you to marry me. Things just got complicated with my job, that’s all.” He took a moment to think about the conversation. Lacey was right, he couldn’t just rush things like this. He was just so eager to be with the kids again and be a family. “But if you still really want to take things slow, I’m fine with that.” He smiled, but he wasn’t sure if he wanted things to be slow. Houston was already busy with his case on the kidnapper. “Would you have taken me back if I brought you flowers?” He joked.

Her heart skipped a beat listening to his speech. “How about we start with dinner tonight. Just you and me and see what happens from there okay?” Lacey suggested, before giving Houston a small kiss on the cheek. “Probably. Just remeber for next time.” She teased back. 

“He might be happy to see us, but that’s because he left us, he left you.” Valentina’s adopted Father being back had hit her harder than she thought it ever would, and she wasn’t doing a very good job at hiding it.

“Val. He is your father and he loves you very much. He did not leave me.. We mutually deiced that his job is very important and he needed to focus on it. Just because he wasn’t around as much as we wish he was, dose not mean he left you and your siblings ether Valentina.. I know that you are upset.. It’s okay to be but maybe you should talk to him about it. Get your feelings all out on the table.” Lacey said wrapping her arm around her daughter.

“Okay, we can do that.”

“What would you name her if we get to keep her?”

Valentina paused and her features softened. “I’m sorry, Mama.” She looked over at the other female. “I saw Papa earlier.”

“It’s okay baby. Is that why you are upset?” Lacey sat down on Val’s bed. “I know Dad is really happy to be back and see you and your siblings.”

“I found her by the school. Can we keep her mom, please?”

“Well maybe we should put up flyers first just to make sure that she isn’t anyone else’s and she just ran away. But if no one claims her in a week or two, we will keep her. Okay?”

“Jesus Christ, have you never heard of knocking?!”

“Valentina.” Lacey said putting her hand on her hip. “Your door was open missy. Don’t take that tone with me.”

“Look at the kitty I found.”

“Where did you find him or her, sweetie?”

“That is ridiculous. Who haves a tour without the parents?” Houston sighed deeply and ran his fingers through his hair. “I’m sorry, Lace. My emotions got the best of me.” He embraced her in a hug with a quick kiss on her forehead. Houston proceeded through to the front of the crowd while holding onto Lacey’s hand. “I can get us in there – Alex just might be there.”

“I think they were just showing the student the classrooms or something.. I don’t know but I feel so stupid letting Alex go on his own..” She sighed. Hugging Houston back gently. “It’s okay Hugh.. I am freaking out too.” Lacey nodded.