Page 27 of Protecting Addison
“All right. We’ll see what the future holds,” she said diplomatically.
Everyone stood, and Caroline went to the basement with Cheyenne to get the girls. Dude and Wolf went over to the table to sort the boys out. Ricky leaned into Addison. “You good?”
“I’m great,” she said with a huge smile. “Everyone was so nice.”
“Told you,” he said with a smirk.
“Yeah, you did.” Addison couldn’t even be irritated by his smugness. He’d told her that everyone would love her and it seemed that they had. Her cookies and cake were a huge hit, and all the men and women, and kids for that matter, had been laid-back and friendly.
“At least the kids will sleep like logs tonight,” Ricky said as he took her hand in his.
His fingers wrapped around hers felt so natural. As if they held hands every day of their lives. The truth was, this was the first time, and Addison had a feeling the memory would be burned into her brain.
Ellory came upstairs with Taylor, and they hugged each other before saying their goodbyes. The boys’ eyes were drooping, but they dutifully said their thank yous to the adults before heading out of the house.
They weren’t even halfway home before everyone except for her and Ricky were sound asleep in the car. The silence was comfortable, and Addison soaked in the feeling of contentment.
At the house, Ricky picked up Yana, still asleep, and Artem and Borysko headed straight to their room to change for bed.
“Mom?” Ellory said when Ricky left with Yana to put her to bed.
“Yeah, sweetie?”
“I had the best time today. Taylor was awesome. So nice, even though I’m younger than she is. We have a ton in common. And is it true that her dad and his team might come to Career Day along with Ricky and his friends?”
“Yeah, if it’s all right with the school. I’ll call them on Monday to make sure.”
“Sweet!”
“Are you hungry? You didn’t eat much today.”
“I’m fine.”
“Your belly feel okay?”
Ellory shrugged, and Addison frowned. Usually when her daughter didn’t immediately say she was fine, it meant she was anything but and was trying to downplay her pain level.
“Ellory,” Addison warned.
“I’m not a baby anymore,” she said with a sharp bite to her tone. “I’ll tell you if it gets bad.”
“I know you’re not a baby. I just worry about you.”
Her daughter took a deep breath. “I know. But I’m fine. You can’t worry about me for the rest of my life.”
“Who says?” Addison said with a chuckle. Then she reached for Ellory and pulled her in for a long hug. “I love you, kiddo. I’m very proud of the young lady you’re becoming.”
Ellory blushed and nodded. Then she pulled away and headed to her room.
Addison sighed. She missed the days when Ellory was content to snuggle against her for hours at a time. She had to face the fact that she was growing up.
Thirty minutes later, the kids were all zonked in their beds, sound asleep after a long, fun day. It wasn’t too late, but Addison found her own eyes drooping.
“Why don’t you head to bed too?” Ricky suggested. “I won’t be too far behind you.”
“You don’t mind?”
“Of course not. You don’t have to stay up just because I do.”
