Page 114 of Impending Consent

"Good." She grinned. "About time you showed some real emotion."

"I show plenty of emotion. Just selectively."

"Mmhmm. Seriously though, it's been amazing watching you these past few months. You've opened up and softened but you're still the take no prisoners Sailor we all know and love. You've just added new dimensions."

"Is that your way of saying marriage has made me boring?"

"Not boring. Whole."

Before I could respond to that profound observation, Skylynn came running up to the patio with her hands cupped together.

"Auntie Sailor, look!" she whispered excitedly, opening her palms to reveal a tiny green lizard. "I caught him!"

I leaned forward and offered an appropriately fake impressed face. "Wow, that's great, Lynnie. What's his name?"

"Pancake because he's flat."

I choked on a laugh. "Pancake is perfect. Where did you find him?"

"By the big tree. Can I take him home?"

"You’ll have to feed him. Do you know what lizards eat?"

"Bugs and veggies sometimes, he can eat mine because I don’t like them. My daddy read me a book about them and they ate all the veggies. I’ll share with him."

“I bet you will,” Sky mumbled.

"Well, if you keep him in your hands too long, he might get scared. Maybe we should make him a little home near where you found him, so he can be with his family but you can visit him?"

Her small face scrunched. "Okay. Will you help me?"

"Yep, I sure will. Lead the way, lizard expert."

As we crossed the yard, Skylynn rambled about her limited reptile knowledge. I glanced back to see Skylar watching us with a soft smile. She gave me a thumbs up and I rolled my eyes, but couldn't suppress my own smile.

The rest of the afternoon was pretty simple. I helped build a lizard palace from rocks and twigs then we picked flowers tomake Queen Skylynn a crown. Later we ordered pizza, and by the time Skylar gathered their things to leave, I was exhausted.

"Today was perfect," Sky said and hugged me goodbye while Skylynn reluctantly put on her shoes because she didn’t want to leave. "We needed this."

"Me too," I admitted. "Come back anytime."

"Be careful what you offer. I might take you up on that when I need a break."

"Mommy, I'm ready!" Skylynn announced after a struggle of getting her shoes on the right feet.

"Okay, baby. Say goodbye to Aunt Sailor."

She launched herself at me but I caught her, lifting her up for a tight hug.

"Bye, Auntie Sailor! Can I come back to see Pancake tomorrow?"

I laughed and set her down. "Maybe not tomorrow but soon. I'll make sure Pancake has plenty of company."

“Promise?”

“Yep, I promise and if you don’t want your veggies, ball them up in a napkin but don’t tell your mean old mommy I said that.”

She giggled and peeked at Sky. “I won’t.”

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