Page 34 of Unexpectingly Happily Ever After

″Casey!” Brit cries. “You’re here!”

She looks so happy to see me.

″Welcome to Las Vegas and the best weekend of your life!” I shriek.

Chapter Twelve

Mothers should be often reminded that there are subjects other than their children that should be used in conversation.

A Young Woman’s Guide to Raising Obedient Children

Dr. Francine Pascal Reid, (1943)

“This place is amazing,” Morgan sighs as she sinks onto the bed we’re sharing. Because this is Brit’s weekend, she gets the bedroom to herself. “I’m jealous that you got time here by yourself.”

″J.B. convinced me. He said time by myself would be good, and he was right.”

Morgan grimaces. “I hate to admit it, but isn’t he usually?”

″Yes,” I mimic Morgan’s sigh. “It’s annoying.”

″Kids are okay with him?”

″Loving it.” Quickly I tell her about Ben’s goal. Brit is in the bathroom, showering off the “flight smell” before our evening out so Morgan and I are able to talk about the kids without her freaking out.

Brit has already told us twice that there is to be no “kid-talk” this weekend.

″Yay, Benny. But Casey, this is exactly what I was afraid of. Carson is going to start talking and I’m going to miss it. I’ve already texted my mother four times since the plane got in.

″Without Brit noticing?”

Morgan grins. “I’m very sneaky about it.”

With perfect timing, my cell chimes an incoming FaceTime call. “You can’t be sneaky with that ringtone,” Morgan laughs as I fumble for my phone.

″Hi, babe.” J.B.’s smiling face greets me. “Is this a bad time?”

″No, it’s perfect.” I glance over my shoulder. Hopefully, Brit will be in the shower for a few more minutes.

″The kids wanted to say goodnight.” Instantly his face is replaced by my little angels squashed together with each trying to get the most screen time.

″Goodnight, Momma!” Sophie cries. She’s holding the phone, but only half of her face is showing. Ben and Lucy hover over her shoulders. “I love you!”

″I love you, Momma,” Ben says. His eyes widen with excitement. “I got a goal.”

″I know,” I smile, blinking back the tears that threaten at the sight of their faces. “I’m so proud of you.”

″I didn’t hit anyone this time,” Sophie chimes in. “But I wanted to because some kid tripped Lucy.”

″I tripped him back,” Lucy adds. “So Sophie wouldn’t hit him.”

″What kind of soccer league do they play in?” Morgan laughs. I turn the phone to show her sitting on the bed.

″Morgan?”

″Morgan!”

″Where’s Carson? Did she come with you?”

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