Page 5 of Made For Me

“Flying gremlin,” Bianca parrots, and she laughs in her hand. “That’s funny.”

I hold out my other hand for her as I stand. “It is funny.” I look up the stairs at Michael, who just stares. “You guys have one hour, and then I’m leaving.”

“Promises, promises.” He turns and walks back to the bedroom and closes the door.

“Okay,” I say, walking into the family room attached to the kitchen. “What do you want to watch while I make food?”

“Encanto!” Bailey and Bianca both yell, and I groan inwardly. There is only so muchEncantoone can tolerate.

“Great,” I mumble and walk back to the kitchen. I open the shades and see it’s a sunny day outside. I make my coffee as I prepare the pancakes for the girls, who are sitting side by side as they watch the show.

I make them Mickey Mouse pancakes with blueberries for the eyes and chocolate chips for the mouth. I cut up some bananas and strawberries, placing it all in each bowl. Jamieson got to spend the night with Max and Allison, Michael’s parents, so it’s a calmer morning than if he was here.

“Who is hungry?” I ask, and they both jump up and come to the kitchen. I put each plate at their placemat and help them get into the booster seats.

“Chocolate!” Bailey cheers, clapping her hands. “You have chocolate, Bi?” She has yet to say Bianca’s full name. Bianca takes her finger and touches the soft chocolate and tastes it.

“I have, Bayey.” Bianca smiles at her as she picks up a small cube of strawberry and puts it in her mouth. I sit at the table with both of them while they eat their breakfast. Jillian comes down ten minutes later with Michael following her.

“Wow,” I tease, pretending to look at my watch, “that’s a record.” Jillian rolls her lips. “Talk about a wham, bam, thank you, ma’am.”

“There is no whamming and bamming,” Michael says, walking over to start his green smoothie. I watch him put a bunch of green veggies in the blender.

Jillian, on the other hand, makes her coffee and comes to sit beside me. “Your shirt is on backward.” I point at her shirt, and she laughs, ignoring me.

“Did Auntie Juju make you pancakes?” she asks them, and I get up.

“Okay, I’m going to get going,” I announce, walking to the sink and putting my empty mug in the sink.

“What do you mean you’re going to get going?” Michael shouts over the blender.

“Well, you’re home, so I’m going to not be here,” I say, and his eyebrows squint together.

“It’s Sunday,” he reminds me. “It’s family lunch.” I roll my eyes. Their family lunches consist of a minimum of fifty or even sixty people, depending on who is in town, and it’s just food on top of food.

“I don’t have to be there every Sunday,” I say as he stops the blender and pours his chunky-ass green stuff into a glass. “I don’t even know how you drink that.”

“It’s healthy,” he says, taking a gulp of his drink. “If you don’t come today, my father is just going to call you to make sure that I didn’t upset you.” I nod my head. “And then you will f—” He starts to say the word when Jillian clears her throat. “Then you will mess with me and get me in trouble.”

“Aren’t you like almost thirty?” I shake my head. “How can you get in trouble?”

“You’re coming,” he says, turning and walking to grab a pan. “Who wants an egg white omelet?”

“I think I’ll save my appetite for lunch.” I grab my mug back out from the sink and walk over to grab another cup of coffee. “I’m going to have to borrow something to wear.” I look over at Jillian, who rolls her eyes, because when I say borrow, I mean take forever or until I’m done with it.

Walking back upstairs, I go into her closet and grab a pair of blue jeans and a top. “This will work,” I say to myself as I head back into the spare bedroom to make the bed and get ready. When I put on the jeans, they are a loose fit and both knees have holes. I bend over and roll the bottom a bit before I slip on the black tank top with the built-in bra that pushes the girls up just enough that it’s sexy. I grab my white, button-down, long-sleeve crop sweater. Putting it on, I push the sleeves up to my elbows.

When I exit the bedroom, Michael walks out of his bedroom with Bailey and Bianca dressed both the same with their hair done. “Where did you get that outfit?” he asks, and I laugh.

“Your wife’s closet.” I laugh at him while Jillian comes out wearing jeans and a white sleeveless shirt.

“Whose house is lunch at?” Jillian ignores the look Michael gives her as she walks down the stairs.

“My uncle Matthew,” Michael replies, and when it’s time to get in the car, I decide to follow them in mine so I can get out whenever I get a chance.

The cars are piled up in the driveway, and I park two houses away. I walk into the house and hear the commotion already. Kids are running everywhere. “Hey, Auntie Julia,” Maddox says, coming over and giving me a side hug. Maddox is Alex, Michael’s sister who is also one of my best friends, and Dylan’s son.

“Did you grow?” I ask him, kissing his head, and he smirks at me just like Max does. He might be adopted, but he’s the stamp of the men who are now his family.

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