Page 13 of A Very Miller-Cooper Life

Reagan pulled her phone out of her pocket and quickly typed out a message. When she slipped it back into her pocket, there was a huge shit-eating grin on her face. “What a day. This calls for an even bigger celebration.”

“I hope you’re not going to suggest going out to eat,” I said, gritting my teeth just thinking about it. “You know what a disaster it was last time.”

“Nope. Not what I was thinking.” Reagan took both of my hands in hers and her smile became even wider to the point that I was scared what was about to come out of her mouth. “Let’s go to Disney World. Not tonight obviously, but in a few months. This summer. Once it’s warm out again.”

“Are you serious right now?”

“Of course I am. It’s perfect. We always said that Disney would be our first trip as a family. The kids will be two by the time we go. What better timing than that?”

After everything we’d been through over the past year, I didn’t want to be the one to burst her bubble, but one of us had to be realistic. “Honey, neither of us have a job right now.”

Reagan shrugged. “I know, but I’ll do a ton of commissions, and whenever you’re ready, you can start doing fill-in work until you figure out what’s next for you. You said doing stuff like that pays ridiculously well, right?”

“Yeah, but—”

“Then we’ll be fine,” Reagan said before I could finish my thought.

I shook my head. “Okay, but money aside, you want us to go to Disney World with three two-year-olds? Have you met our children? They aren’t exactly getting any calmer.

“We’ll ask my parents to go. You know, if that’s okay with you.”

I was always happy with more sets of hands, and I loved Reagan’s parents. “Of course that’s okay.”

“So, that’s a yes? We’re doing this?”

I nodded, unable to stop the excitement that began to course through my body. I couldn’t help it. The energy emanating from Reagan’s body was contagious. “Let’s do it.”

“Guess what kids?” Reagan asked as she looked down at our three children who were being uncharacteristically quiet and well-behaved. “Mommy said yes! We’re going to Disney World.”

All three kids shouted and jumped up and down as if they could actually comprehend exactly what was happening. It was such a happy moment, I almost missed the obvious. “Wait a second. You knew you were going to suggest Disneyandyou told the kids?”

Reagan shrugged, the grin on her face suddenly a sly one. “What can I say? Leverage. I had to make sure you said yes.”

“I can’t believe you.” I playfully pushed her away from me. “What are we waiting for? We have a trip to plan.”

***

I skipped around as I cleaned the house while the kids napped and Reagan and her mom prepared dinner. It was crazy how much could change in a week. I was so relieved to be free from that job that I wasn’t even stressed about money at the moment. Sure, it helped that once Reagan posted she was opening up commissions (and a few authors who were apparently big names in the sapphic fiction community, including Laurel Lake, reposted it), she received a surprisingly large amount of requests. Plus, I was already getting calls about places I could fill in. I hadn’t said yes to any of them yet because Ineeded a moment to breathe, but it made me feel better to know I had options.

I was in such a good mood that I didn’t even think twice about picking up my phone when I saw my mother was calling. “Hey, Mom! What’s up?” I asked as I put the phone on speaker and walked into the kitchen to see how dinner was coming along.

“I’m shocked you picked up. Sometimes, I swear you’re screening your calls.”

I am.“Nope. Just super busy.”

“How are my babies doing?”

“They’re great. Not so much babies anymore, though. They’re getting huge.”

My mother sighed as though the thought of my children growing stressed her out. “That’s why I’m calling. I miss them and want to see them. You never come to visit.”

That’s because visiting Maryland isn’t relaxing for anyone.“Roads work both ways, Mom. It’s much easier for you and Dad to hop in a car than for me and Reagan to pack everything we need to travel with three kids, thenactuallytravel with them.”

“Speaking of traveling, your nana told me you’re going to Disney World this summer.”

“I didn’t tell her.” My nana’s voice was faint through the phone, but I could tell she was yelling. “She heard me talking to your brother about it.”

“James says you invited him to go with you.” The tone to my mother’s voice told me I wasn’t going to like whatever she had to say next. “That’s nice of you to include your brother, but he doesn’t have children. He won’t be able to help you take care of them the way someone with experience would.”

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