Page 117

“They had a lot of healthy food at your grandparents’ house,” she said, then kissed their foreheads before sitting between them.
The view tugged at my insides.
“Nick?” Allison asked tentatively.
“Sorry, I spaced out.”
“How about watchingFinding Nemo?”
I nodded. “Sure, I’ve never seen it.”
“What?” Annie asked. “Never? Not even once?”
Allison was fighting laughter.
“No, never,” I replied.
“That’s awesome.” Annie had a huge grin.
I looked at Allison as I sat next to Jack, who was sleepy and rested his small head right on my ribs. “Why do I feel like this is a trap?”
She laughed. “I told them that we’re only watching it this one time, because they’ve seen it a million times. But now they just found someone who hasn’t see it at all. I guess it’s your turn to watch it a million times.”
“Then we’d better get started with the first time.”
The movie wasn’t half bad. Once it ended, it was clear the twins needed to sleep.
“Want to go upstairs? I’ll read your bedtime story,” I said.
I swear they both jumped off the couch right away. Allison and I took turns putting them to sleep. I didn’t want to brag, but it seemed they preferred me to do it.
“Yes, yes, yes,” Annie exclaimed.
“Then let’s go up.”
“I’ll wait for you here,” Allison said.
Nodding, I went upstairs with the twins. We chose a book together, and I sat down on Jack’s bed, looking from Annie to Jack. They were both on their bellies, holding their pillow under their chin and looking at me with curious eyes.
“Are you two ready?” I asked.
“Yes,” they said in unison.
“Then I’ll start.”
Kids’ bedtime stories were some of the dullest things ever written. It was probably intentional so it wouldn’t overstimulate them, but I genuinely had trouble not falling asleep myself.
A rush of affection went through me when Annie fell asleep first, then Jack. I kept reading a few more pages, knowing my voice soothed them, which filled me with a kind of pride that I hadn’t experienced in business at all. How cool was that?
Once I was certain they were down for the night, I got up from the bed as carefully as possible and left their room.
When I came downstairs, Allison was moving around the kitchen.
“They’re already asleep?” she asked.
“Yeah. Went out like a light.”
“You’re a toddler whisperer. They take much longer to fall asleep with me. I think they like your voice better. Actually, I think they just like you better.” She smiled at me. “So... do you want to open a bottle of wine?”