Page 54 of Hot Momosa

Ella clapped her hands. “Daddy!”

Gunnar’s shoulder’s slumped. “I go home?”

As difficult as the uncertainty of our situation was for me, I couldn’t imagine how confusing it was for him. Unfortunately, I didn’t have the answers he needed.

“Not today, but I’m staying here with you.” I kissed his chubby cheek. “Want to tell Rocco and Ella good bye?”

He waved without lifting his head.

Maggie gave him a quick hug. “It was nice to meet you, Gunnar.”

“Bye-bye.” Ella bit her lip and patted his arm.

“Bye.” Gunnar sighed.

His reaction confused me. It wasn’t as if we’d never spent the night away from home. He’d slept in more hotels than some adults I knew. During the campaign, Christina and Gunnar had traveled with me from time to time. I never could have juggled motherhood and my crazy schedule otherwise.

Leo came through the front door and glanced around as if he’d walked into the wrong condo. Toys covered most of the floor and tables and couch. The normally spotless kitchen looked like a bomb of ketchup and dishes had exploded in it, and his beloved poodles had been replaced with three toddlers and two sisters-in-law.

However, when his gaze fell on me and Gunnar, he gave us a crooked smile that was crookeder than usual due to a swollen jaw.

Ella ran to him and wrapped her arms around his legs. “Unkie Leo!”

“Hey, munchkin.” He picked her up and tossed her into the air.

Gunnar huffed, climbed down from the chair, and marched to them. “My turn.”

Shanna, likely sensing a toddler meltdown of epic proportions, took Ella from his arms. “Come on, princess. Your daddy is going to send a search party for us if I don’t get you home soon.”

Leo mouthed, “Thank you,” before scooping Gunnar up and flying him around the room. Still holding the boy in the air, he made his way to Maggie and gave Rocco a quick kiss.

“No! My Leo!” Gunnar wiggled hard enough that he broke free of Leo’s grasp and fell.

Leo caught him, but had to drop to one knee to keep his balance. “Easy there, little guy.”

Pressing a hand to my heart, I struggled to catch my breath.

Clinging to Leo, Gunnar shot first Ella, then Rocco a dirty look. “My Leo.”

Maggie dipped her chin, but not before I saw the pain in her expression. “We should get going. Leo, don’t forget the fishing trip.”

“It’s set for Thursday morning.” Still kneeling, he whispered something to Gunnar.

“Bye.” He grunted and thrust his thumb in his mouth.

“I’ll call you later.” Shanna gave me a pointed look and waved to Leo and Gunnar. “See you soon.”

He waited until his sisters-in-law and the kids were gone before winking at me. “Honey, I’m home.”

“What happened to your jaw?” I took a shaky step toward him.

“We’ll talk later.” He turned his attention back to Gunnar. “It looks like you had a fun morning.”

“No.” Once again, he folded his arms and tucked his chin to his chest.

“On that note, it’s naptime.” I took a step forward. “Come on Mr. Cranky Pants.”

It wasn’t unusual for Gunnar to have a tantrum and resist going to bed. I’d chased him around the house on more than one occasion. What was unusual were the big fat tears running down his face. I’d never seen him so broken-hearted.

“Hey, bud. What’s wrong?” Leo pulled him into a hug.

Gunnar clung to him. “I sad.”

Leo glanced at me as if for backup, but I was as lost as he was, maybe more. “How about Mommy and I take a nap with you?”

That earned him a slight smile from the child.

“Come on.” Leo stood with our son in his arms and held his hand out to me.

My brain screamed, “This isn’t a good idea.” But I couldn’t bring myself to say no.

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