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I can’t even pretend like it’s not deserved.

The manstillhas an impeccable “can make me come in record timing” ability that I swear has only gottenbettersince we’ve added the complication of children into the mix.

“You’re sure they’re not busy?” Penny’s voice questions from the other end of the tablet. “We don’t have to interrupt them. We can always just email them later. I swear, it’s not a big deal, Dad.”

“We’re finished.” My husband devilishly beams while victoriously wiping his entire mouth with the palm of his hand. “Isn’t that right, Little Prey?”

This.

Thisis the bossy beast I’m happy I married, not the one who all but threw his oatmeal at the wall this morning when his son spitefully claimed Uncle Calen’s nerd t-shirt collection was better because it containsactualcolors sparking the “black isn’t a color” debate that never ends well in this estate.

Smoothing my casual dress back down is followed promptly by Clark turning the device around to put us eye to eye with the woman I don’tlovebeing related to.

I also don’tactivelyhate it.

Aside from the fact that her face looks similar to the Raggedy Ann bitch that was poisoning my mother – ultimately summoning me into a world I never wanna live without – she’snothinglike the manipulative twat banned from this country.

Her hair is shorter.

Skin slightly tanner.

Face and figure fuller from having two tooth achingly sweet daughters and one overly athletic son.

If I hadn’t personally dealt with her Poison Ivy ways, I’d be inclined to argue she was even capable of them considering how calm and collected and centered she constantly is.

Whatever mental health help she got –and still gets– has absolutely helped her change into a better person.

I just can’t completely forget – or entirely forgive – the other one.

And neither can Wes.

Hencewhy she’sstillnot allowed back into the states.

“Scott and I just wanted to express our sincerest thanks,” she sweetly coos at us. “Hockey isinsanelyexpensive, and our son seems to be growing suspiciously fast.”

“Notthatsuspicious,” Scott lightly laughs, arm lovingly winding around his wife. “I know I don’t look like it, but I grew a lot like him when I was his age.”

Penny lets the corner of her lips kick upward. “Except instead of tall and wide you grew…”

“Tall andweird.”

“Which is much better,” she playfully flirts on a nudging of her elbow. “At least for me.”

See.

It’s fucking strange.

Yet kind of adorable.

Like Dr. Phlox Pyrithian bat inStar Trek: Enterprise.

“Get whatever gear he needs to get him through the season,” Wes informs at the same time he plants a firm palm on my thigh. “And if that balance transfer wasn’t enough, do not hesitate to let me know.”

“We’ll make it enough,” Scott declares upon Clark’s arrival at our desk. “Even if it means choosing a cheaper brand.”

“Our nephew should have the best whenever possible, sopurchasethat, andonlythat. Covering the cost isour giftto him.”

“He really does want that 3P blocker for Christmas,” Penny poorly whispers under her breath.

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