Page 74 of When We Were More
“Will do, ladybug.”
A few minutes later, the introductions done, the fake champagne is poured and in the hands of the children. Most of the adults from upstairs have come down for the first countdown of the night. We sit with the kids and ring in the New Year from across the pond with confetti, poppers, and a variety of noisemakers. It’s impressive how the adults get into it for the sake of the kids.
The activity lasts for about half an hour, and then the large majority of adults drift back upstairs. Henry and I stay down with the kids, though, and Henry leads a pretty cutthroat game ofSimon Says,with the children and a few of the adults who remain. Meanwhile, I play blocks with Lena off to the side.
It doesn’t escape me that the woman who was ogling Henry earlier is still down here. She’s sitting on the arm of the couch, a few feet away from where I sit with Lena, and is watching the game. Well, watching Henry, at least. None of the children down here seems connected to her.
As the minutes tick by, Lena gets less interested in the blocks and climbs up on my lap, wraps her arms around my neck, and rests her head on my shoulder. Contentment fills me. I pat her softly on the back, and I’m pretty sure she’s almost asleep when the game finishes, and Henry begs the kids for a break.
“Hey tiger, you lulled my girl to sleep, huh?”
I swear I hear an annoyed huff from the gawker woman sitting near me, but Henry doesn’t react so I assume I imagined it.
“It wasn’t difficult. She simply scrambled up and crashed.” I smile over at Henry. Fatherhood looks good on him.
“Those kids were hardcore. I thought I’d never throw any of them off. Who knew today’s kids are this good atSimon Says, right?”
Before I can answer, Layla walks over and slides down the wall, sitting on the floor between Henry and me. She rests her head on Henry.
“Daddy? Can I go take a nap for a while? Then I’ll get up and come back down.”
She yawns and scoots closer to Henry.
“You sure can, honey. Why don’t we put Lena to bed, and you can take a nap in your room here at Grandma’s, okay?”
“Mm hmm,” she says sleepily.
Henry stands and helps Layla up, then he takes Lena from me. Before I can stand, Layla wraps her arms around me and squeezes.
“Goodnight, Tillie. Thanks for coming to see me.” I hold back a grin.
“Goodnight, Layla. I hope you have a cozy nap filled with lots of wonderful dreams.”
When I rise, Henry puts a hand on my elbow. It feels intimate, though I’m sure that’s not his intention.
“I’m going to get them to sleep, then I’ll be back down. You’ll wait, right? I have some things I was hoping to talk to you about.”
“Oh, um… sure.”
“Great, see you in a few minutes.” Then Henry disappears up the stairs with the girls in tow. I wait a few seconds and follow. I’ll get a drink and force myself to mingle a bit. Maybe.
Ten minutes later, satisfied I’ve completed my requisite attempt at being social. I’ve got a glass of wine in hand and talked briefly to a few people upstairs. It’s fair to go back to the rec room and sit quietly in the corner until Henry returns. So, that’s what I do.
I’m engrossed in the pool game a few of the older gentlemen are playing when the couch dips down next to me, and I turn to see it’s Heath’s best friend, Georgie.
“You hangin’ in there? These things can be tough until you get to know everyone. Don’t worry, it’ll get easier.” Kindness oozes from her, and I like her already.
“Oh, well, I’m not sure I’ll be back around, but everyone has been lovely.”
“Trust me, if Henry has anything to say about it, you’ll be back.”
I grin at her. “Yeah, well, that’s the thing I’m still trying to get through his head—that he’s not the boss of everyone. Plus, Henry and I are only friends.”
Georgie lets out a riotous laugh. “Ooh, I really like you. How’s Henry taking that? The finding out he’s not the boss part?”
I smirk in response. “We’re taking it day by day. Baby steps.” Now we’re both laughing.
“Well, whether you’re friends or more?—”
