Page 7 of Returning to Everton

“Okay, Violet, I know we’re both super excited to get started and even more excited to get there, but the move is still two weeks away, so we can’t just pack everything. We need to pack the things we don’t use on a daily basis first. Save everything that we’ll be using for the next two weeks for right before we leave. Okay?”

“Okay, Mommy! What can we pack first?”

“Hmmm, do you want to start in the living room and pack up all the movies and books first? Or the hall closet and pack the spare sheets and towels?” I ask.

“Let’s start in the living room, Mommy. Then when that’s done, we can move on to the hallway closet. Then the dining room.”

With a packing plan in place, I get some boxes put together, and we turn packing into a fun game. Thanks to our magic, we don’t have any problems moving the heavy boxes once they are filled with books and movies. Though, seeing just how many boxes of books and movies we have makes me think maybe we have a problem. Is there such a thing as too many books?

We are just putting the last few books in a box when I realize what time it is. “Okay, honey, it’s past lunchtime. Are you ready to take a break and get something to eat?”

Violet looks around the room before she answers. “Looks like we got them all, Mommy.”

“We sure did, sweetie. Thank you for helping me.”

“You’re welcome, Mommy. It’s so fun when we get to play like that and use our magic. I know Daddy wouldn’t be happy, but I really like to use my magic, Mommy.”

“I know you do, sweetheart. It’s okay to do things that Daddy wouldn’t like. I know you miss him, baby girl, but you can’t let that control your life. You have to keep living, angel, and there’s absolutely no reason for you not to enjoy what you do. If you like using your magic, then use it. So long as you follow Mommy’s rules about magic use.”

“Okay, Mommy,” she agrees. “It’s going to be better in Everton, right, Mommy? That’s a magic town, right? So we can use magic anywhere?”

“That’s right, baby girl. The whole town is magical. No hiding what you are there, sweetie. Oh, and the gentleman we might be renting the house from told me they have a magical bakery there! How exciting is that?”

“What! A magical bakery?! Do they bake like we do?”

“They do, in fact, use their magic for baking. But they take it a step further than when you bake. They don’t just use their magic to bake. They infuse their baked goods with their magic. That means when you eat a cookie there, you eat the baker’s magic too. Like when I give you some sleepy time tea. I put some magic in your tea to help you sleep.”

“That’s so cool, Mommy! Are you gonna get a job there?” she asks with wide eyes.

“I’m sure gonna try, baby girl. Wouldn’t that just be the perfect job?”

“Yeah,” she sighs. “I can’t wait to get there, Mommy.”

I laugh. “Okay, let’s get something to eat."

3

Declan

Well, that was an interesting conversation. Surprisingly I’m actually looking forward to meeting Rowen. I haven’t had much interest in getting to know any women since my wife died, and that was seven years ago. We only spoke for a short time, but I can just tell we’re going to get along. She has a good sense of humor. That’s an important quality to have around here. Quinn didn’t tell me much about her friend when she called me last night to ask about the house. Now that I’m sitting here, replaying our conversation, I think I know why. This is the infamous Rowe I’ve heard so much about.

The guys are going to freak when they find out she’s moving back. And Hudson? I pretty much just offered her a job at his bakery. Life is about to get a whole lot more interesting. I guess I’ll see if everyone is up yet and fill them in.

I walk downstairs to see the twins sitting on the couch watching cartoons with Logan. I can only tell them apart because Ayden’s slightly longer brown hair looks like he just got out of bed and didn’t bother to even finger comb it. Kayden is smart in that aspect, he doesn’t have to do anything to his close-cut hair. I tell them good morning and walk over to hug my son.

“Morning, Dad. You’re up early. Isn’t it your day to sleep in?”

“Yeah, I got a phone call that woke me up. Actually, Ayden, Kayden, wanna meet me in the kitchen? There’s somethin’ I need to tell everyone. Logan, you stay here and watch your show, okay bud?”

“Okay, Dad.”

The twins get up and follow me to the kitchen, where we find Hudson making breakfast and Nate drinking coffee at the island. They look up when they hear us coming.

“Hey, Declan, thought you were sleeping in?” Hudson asks as I enter the kitchen to get a mug for my coffee. He’s got a bit of scruff going on like he hasn’t shaved in a few days. I wonder if he’s going to keep it like that.

“Yeah, I was, but I got an interestin’ phone call this mornin’ that woke me up. That’s actually why I brought the twins with me. I’ve got some news,” I tell them.

This gets Nate’s attention. I can tell he’s still on his first cup of coffee. Nate always looks dead to the world until he’s had at least two cups.

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