Page 41 of One Hot Daddy

I run my hands through my hair, completely out of my depth."So, what exactly are you suggesting I do?"

"Go get her!"all four children shout in unison.

Henry jumps up and tugs on my sleeve."Tell her we want her to come home.Tell her we love her too!"

My kids might be insane, but they're very clever too.I had assumed they were upset because they found out Jennifer and I are in love.But no, that's not what was going on at all.What a bloody fool I am.They simply needed time to grasp the situation.

I stand here gaping at my children as if I've stepped into an alternate dimension where everything is topsy-turvy.One minute my children are devastated, the next they're unified in their demand that I fetch Jennifer back immediately.

"You're all absolutely certain about this?"I ask, needing to be certain before I make a complete arse of myself."Because fifteen minutes ago, Amelia, you were---"

"Ugh, I was confused," Amelia interrupts, her voice softer now."But that doesn't mean I don't want Jennifer here.She's different from Mom.She actually cares about us."

I step closer to Amelia and kiss her cheek."Yes, love, Jennifer does care.Very much."

"Then why are you still standing here?"Charlotte demands, hands on her hips in a perfect imitation of her grandmother.

I raise my hands in surrender and pray the grandparents will support, but they're all nodding encouragingly.Even Dad gives me a thumbs up from his corner chair.

"That's it, then."I clap my palms together, decision made."I'm going to fetch Jennifer."

My proclamation causes the children to erupt in cheers that nearly deafen me.Henry does a little victory dance while Josh pumps his fists in the air.Even Amelia allows herself a small smile.

"Hold on, you pirates," I raise a finger, "you lot are coming with me.This is a family decision, so we'll deal with it as a family."

"Road trip!"Charlotte shouts, already heading for the door.

I smile and shake my head."The hotel is only fifteen minutes away.Your excitement is overblown."

Mum stands up, smoothing her skirt."We'll wait here, Fletcher.This is something for you and the children to sort out."

Within minutes, I'm herding four excited children into the car.The drive to the hotel is chaos incarnate---Henry chattering nonstop about what he's going to say to Jennifer, Charlotte debating the best way to apologize, and Josh explaining the scientific method of winning someone back.Yes, teenagers think they know everything about everything.Amelia sits quietly in the front passenger seat, but I catch her checking her reflection in the side mirror---a sure sign she's nervous.

Once we've reached the parking lot, Amelia asks, "What if she doesn't want to come back?What if we've ruined everything?"

I park the car and turn to face the four of them.Their faces are a mixture of hope and worry that makes my chest tight.

"Then we'll respect her decision," I explain to them honestly."But we'll also make sure she knows exactly how we feel.All of us."

Henry unbuckles his seatbelt with the determination of a soldier heading into battle."I'm going to hug her really tight so she can't leave again."

"That's kidnapping," Josh points out.

"No, it's love," Charlotte argues, swatting at her brother."Right, Dad?"

I blow out a sigh as we climb out of the car."It definitely isn't kidnapping, Josh.But let's not smother her either.We need to be respectful."

"What's our plan?"Amelia asks, suddenly all business."We can't just barge into the hotel and start yelling her name."

She's right, of course.I hadn't thought that far ahead, so focused on getting to Jennifer that I didn't consider how exactly we'd find her."I suppose I should call the front desk and ask for her room number."

Josh points toward the hotel entrance."Or we could just go inside and ask."

Simple solutions from the mouths of babes.I herd my brood across the car park, trying to maintain some semblance of order.

Henry marches alongside me."Dad, this is your hotel.Can't you just use your special key?I mean, the one that lets you get into any room?You've done that before, right?I remember you told us about it."

The hotel lobby is mercifully quiet as we approach the front desk.The receptionist glances up with a polite smile that falters slightly when she sees my entourage of children trailing behind me.