Page 97 of Mister Mom

He nods his head enthusiastically, the smile never leaving his face.

“So, it’s okay with you? You’d like me as a stepdaddy?”

His arms wrap around my neck, but he never answers. I think from the tight hold on me, he’s more than okay with me asking his mom to marry me.

“Remember, we have to keep it quiet. Mommy can’t know.”

Pulling back from me, he nods without saying anything.

“Man, I’m glad that’s over. I’ve been worried all week about asking you.” I wipe the imaginary sweat off my forehead and he giggles. “You think I need to ask Via, too?”

He shakes his head, scrunching his lips like a grown man stuck in a little boy’s body. “Nope. She does what I say, so she’d say yes.”

“Okay, everyone,” Jack, the director announces as Layla walks out to the set.

Her eyes search us out and she grins.

Man, I can’t wait to see the look on her face tomorrow.

* * *

The next morning, the Andrews household is in complete disarray. I should totally propose on any other day but today. It’s clear Carver didn’t keep the kids on their regular routine and we’re having trouble reining them in. Regardless, I’m happy for them that he’s in their lives. At least he’s making an effort.

“I think we should scrap Disneyland.” Layla might think her voice is low enough, but Payne’s head snaps in her direction from where he’s getting dressed.

“No,” he whines, but even Payne’s fight is of dismal proportions.

The kids are tired and Layla and I are exhausted from the shooting schedule.

“Come on, let’s go to Yolk Me first and then we’ll see how everyone is.” I finish changing Via’s diaper on the floor of Payne’s bedroom, get her dressed and the second I let her go she runs over and hops up on Payne’s bed.

“I don’t want to make breakfast, but if we go to Yolk Me we’ll get there later. Then there will be more people there and it’s more likely they’ll watch us and take pictures. It’ll be a whole fiasco.”

I see who Payne inherited his whining abilities from. “Come on.” My heart races. I need to get the question out to her before I die of insomnia. I didn’t sleep a wink last night because I was so nervous for today.

Payne stands, but wobbles a little. They’re all exhausted. So am I.

“Fine. Let me get dressed quick.” She heads to her room and I look to Payne.

“Now’s the time, you ready? Remember, don’t say anything.”

Via slides down off the bed and comes to stand between us, looking between each of us.

“Mum’s the word.” Payne sucks in his lips.

“Mum?” Via asks.

“Yeah.” I laugh at her and she does the same act as Payne with sucking her lips into her mouth.

A half hour later, we walk into Yolk Me, which is way more crowded than we’re used to, but it’s Saturday. My eyes shoot to the machine and my heart relaxes seeing the out-of-order note taped to the glass case.

The owner, who I talked to last week and then again last night, walks up to the hostess station. Unlike the other patrons waiting, Layla seems oblivious that there’s a table ready for us. The exact table we sat at the first time we were here together.

“Thank you.” I slide in the booth and Payne hops up on his knees right next to me.

“Can I play?” he asks, his eyes shooting from his mom to me. He’s brimming with excitement and I can tell that my plan is in jeopardy of being blown if it doesn’t happen soon.

“Your mood sure changed,” Layla says, digging into her purse for change.

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