Page 55 of Better Together

“That was like five hours ago. And you’ll still be here tomorrow when you wake up.”

“What are we doing tomorrow?” Ben asked.

Colt ticked off another list. “Church. Lunch at the main house. Meeting everyone in the office. School shopping for Ben. And buying groceries.”

Abby scrunched up her nose. “I don’t want to do some of that stuff.”

Remi whisked the little girl into her arms. “You’re with me for your nap and grocery shopping while Colt and Ben school shop.”

“Oh, good.” Abby wrapped her arms around Remi’s neck and squeezed.

It was unnerving how quickly Abby had warmed up to Remi. Every time the little girl reached for her, she was reminded of the missing mother. Remi wasn’t a good replacement for a mom, and it seemed Abby needed extra helpings of snuggles and cuddles to make up for the loss.

“Bathroom and bed,” Colt said, punctuating each order with claps.

When the kids were tucked into bed, Colt sat on the side of Ben’s bed, and Remi sat on Abby’s.

“It’s my turn to pick,” Abby said.

Colt and Remi had added nightly prayers to the kids’ routine back in Newcastle, but Abby had also requested a song. They’d fallen into taking turns choosing the song that Colt and Remi would perform.

“Okay, cutie. What’ll it be?” Remi asked.

“You know that song onShrek?”

“TheShrekmovie with the ogre?” Remi asked.

“Oh, yeah. You mean the one at the end?” Colt asked.

Abby shook her head. “The one at the very start.”

Remi bit her lips between her teeth to hide the laugh that threatened to escape and looked at Colt. Were they really about to make “All Star” by Smashmouth into a bedtime song?

He rubbed his hands together and grinned. “You got it, cupcake.” Colt took a deep breath and burst into the upbeat song, and Remi joined in. By the second verse, they were on their feet dancing. Abby and Ben sat up in bed, laughing.

The dancing was easy as Remi played off Colt’s moves. The back-and-forth duet was a breeze, and Remi’s heart grew lighter with each line. Soon, her smile resisted giving way even enough to sing the words.

By the end, Colt leaned over the end of Ben’s bed, laughing and breathless. Remi fell onto Abby’s bed on her back and held her middle. The muscles were starting to ache from the laughing.

“Again!” Abby shouted.

Remi waved her hands in the air. “Not tonight. I can’t.”

“I’m asking for that one again tomorrow,” Ben said.

Colt stood to his full height and clapped. “Deal. Now, prayers.”

Abby put her hands together and closed her eyes. Mark and Brittany hadn’t taken the kids to church a lot–mostly on holidays–so the kids didn’t know much about Jesus or praying, but Abby had taken to it like a champ. She knew when it was her turn, and she didn’t waste any time jumping into it.

“God, thank you for our new house. Thank you for that song and Colt and Remi. Please take care of Mommy and Daddy. And please let the bears and stuff stay away. They scare me. Amen.”

Colt leaned down over Abby and kissed her forehead. “Don’t worry about the bears. We’ll protect you,” he whispered.

Remi nodded. “It’s true. You’re safe with us.”

Ben pulled up the covers and rolled over. “Okay. Good night.”

Remi brushed a hand over Ben’s hair and kissed his head. “Good night.”

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