Page 23 of Higher Notes

“Those boys,” Nicole shook her head and sighed. “I don’t understand why they get so crazy with those games.”

“Me either, princess,” Snipe played along. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“Mmm.” Her face morphed into the cutest deep in thought look. “Maybe a doctor or a princess. I like that idea.”

Sikes beamed like he’d won the lottery by calling her that. She had him wrapped around her little finger. “Good call.”

I could see it already. He’d insist her room be princess everything. But I tell ya, the thought of having kids around for the holidays had me ready to buy a tree. Their excitement was contagious and for the most part Sikes and I did nothing by way of celebration for any holiday. I can’t believe how much our world was about to change.

I was happy to report Nolan was nowhere near as bossy as his sister when it came to coloring with him. I finished the picture I made for him and the kid was in heaven. All they wanted was attention and for someone to play with them. With Dana and Jason working all the time, they didn’t get much time with them. Nothing against Dana or Jase, they did what they had to do to take care of their family, but I really hoped this housing situation worked out and we were all under one roof.

With the picture done, I got back to cooking and Jason joined me.

“Sikes is under Nicole’s control. We’ve lost him.”

“Indeed, we have. The poor man was a goner from the moment they met. Why don’t you put the salad together while I get the noodles on and the bread in the oven.”

“On it!”

In no time we had dinner done and on the table.

“Dinner is ready, go wash up,” Jason called out. The herd of elephants stormed down the hall and into the bathroom and returned far faster than a thorough handwashing took. The kids sat as did Jason and Snipe, next to his princess of course. I stood at the counter and ate but didn’t feel left out. Conversation flowed around what I hoped would soon be our new family and I for one couldn’t be happier.

Chapter Seven

Jason

“Well, Mom, what do you think?” It took me a few days to work up the courage to show her the plans of the new house. Sikes, Snipe, and I signed the paperwork the same day, having been sold on this immediately upon seeing the model home. We made a few tweaks, two master bedrooms and three others for the kids, but the price was…better…and the lot we wanted the shell was already erected for. But I saved the finishes for Mom to pick.

“Jase, I don’t know. This looks expensive. Where’s the price?”

“That’s already been taken care of. This is the life we live now. For the first time you won’t have to work two jobs. Hell, if you wanted to stay home full-time you could, or finally change career paths and do what you want to do instead of what you have to. This has been my plan all along, Mom. You’ve worked too hard for too long and now it’s time to let me take care of you.”

“In case you haven’t noticed, you always have. I hate that you had to take on the role of father and provider when you should’ve been a kid. I’ve failed as a parent.” She was on the verge of tears and not the happy ones I’d hoped for.

“You’ve been a great mom, you always made sure we were taken care of and now it’s your turn. My career has given us a better life.” That and the fact that two others were helping out. “The, um, the reason for two master bedrooms is that Sikes and Snipe will be living there with us.”

“Oh my. Isn’t that moving a bit fast?”

“Maybe for some but when we’re on the road we pretty much live together already. Speaking of which, we head out at the end of March, but the builder said they should have the house done so we can move in before then. I left all the finishes for you to pick. You deserve a nice home full of all the things you’ve dreamed of.”

“I only ever wanted a better life for you kids.”

“We know this and now we can have it.” Well, Gabe would be the one true challenge with all of this. That kid had a huge chip on his shoulder. No clue where it came from but it was about to get knocked clean off.

“I-I don’t know what to say, Jase.”

“Actually, the first thing you can do is quit one or both of your jobs. I’ve already paid the rent for next month.”

“What? How?”

“Mom, Chaotic has finally taken off and I’m doing what I love. This family will never scrape by again, not as long as I can help it.”

Mom burst into tears. “Nicole will be thrilled. All I keep hearing about is how wonderful her Wyatt is. She’s taken ownership of that man.”

“Well, that feeling is mutual. I’m sure she will have the princess room of her dreams. The boys will get to decorate theirsthe way they want them, too. Sikes and Snipe love the kids and honestly, Gabriel needs structure, and they are the perfect men for that job.”

“You’ll get no argument from me on that one. I just don’t know why he’s so angry all the time.”

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