Page 86 of Here's to Tomorrow

We pick up the rest of the trash and dishes and dump them off in the kitchen before heading for the stairs.

Hudson starts walking up them. I pause, partially to enjoy the view because this man has one hell of an ass, and partially because I know how big this next moment is. I’m about to tuck his child in for bed. A kid. Hiskid.I’m nervous, because what if I do it wrong? What if I make the blankets too tight and she hates me forever? What if I forget to check for monsters or some shit? What if I’m just overreacting?

Monsters? Really, Rae. Just walk up the damn stairs.

But I can’t. My own mother hardly ever tucked me in, and when she did, it was so awkward that I dreaded it. My dad was almost always the one to do it, and he was amazing at it. I’m scared I’m going to be as bad as my mom at it, just as awkward.

Hudson’s halfway up the stairs before he realizes I’m not following him. He turns back to me. “You still coming?”

I screw my face up at him, letting him know I’m not so sure this is a good idea. He’s back down the stairs and holding my hands in the blink of an eye.

“It’s okay, Rae. It’s just tucking her in for bed.”

“Just?It’s the first kid I’ve ever tucked in.”

He chuckles. “You’ll do fine. You can’t mess it up. Stop worrying.”

Hudson tugs me up the first step. And then another. And another. He walks backward the entire way up to make sure I’m still doing okay.

We pause at the top step while I work on breathing.

“You ready?”

I nod. Still holding his hand, I follow him to Joey’s room. He stops and peeks inside, smiling at his daughter.

“She’s amazing,” I whisper to him.

He turns his smile on me and pushes the door open. He walks over to her bed and sits down next to her. Hudson motions for me to do the same so I do, taking a seat on the other side of the small bed.

“You ready, bug?” Joey nods. “Did you brush?” She nods again. “Go potty? Change into your jammies?”

“Yep,” she says proudly.

“Good job, but I have some bad news. I forgot the book.”

“That’s okay,” she says, patting his hand. “I just need Rae to tuck me in tight tonight.”

“She’s a bit nervous, so go easy on her,” Hudson tells her. He leans in close and pretends to whisper to her. “It’s her first time tucking anyone in.”

Joey’s eyes go big. “No way. You’ve never tuckedanyonein?Ever?”

“Nope, never,” I tell her.

“Wow,” she says in wonder. “EvenI’vedone that, and you’rewayolder than me.”

“Joey!” Hudson scolds.

“But you’re old! And she hasn’t tucked anyone inever. That’s crazy, Daddy! I tuck you in all the time when you’re sick!”

I smile because even though she called me old, she was cute about it.

“Well when you put it that way, I guess I’ve tucked my sister in before when she was sick.”

She gasps. “You have a sister? Cool! I’ve always wanted a sister.”

My eyes snap to Hudson’s. He’s watching me closely.

“They’re okay.” I shrug. “Annoying sometimes and they are horrible about doing the dishes, but I like mine just fine.”

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