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Bug comes into the kitchen and starts getting out ingredients for dinner. She cooks three nights a week. I cook three nights a week. The other night we go out or order in. Allie balked about being left out of the rotation when we insisted on it about a month ago, when it started to get hard for her to get around. But now she’s come to appreciate everything that gets done for her so she can stay off her feet.
“Mel wants to come visit the babies,” Bug says. “After Christmas maybe? During her holiday break?”
I laugh. “I think Mel wants to come visityouand you’re just using the twins as an excuse.”
“It’ll be okay, though, right? Please? After visiting her, we vowed never to go more than a few months without seeing each other.”
The first thing Bug asked for after her six weeks of being grounded, was to fly out to see Mel for a long weekend. It was the least I could do after she took her punishment so well. She never once complained about being stuck in the house.
I was a wreck, putting my teenage daughter on a plane all by herself. But we got her a non-stop flight and, since she’s no stranger to flying, at least she knew how it works.
“Yeah, I think that’ll be okay. I’ll even spring for the flight. It’ll be my Christmas gift to her.”
Bug squeals and shoots off a text. Then she proceeds to make a delicious chicken casserole from Allie’s recipe.
After I’m done with the dishes, I peek over at the couch where Allie looks like she can barely stay awake.
“How about I draw a bath for you?”
Her eyes flutter open. “A bath sounds heavenly.”
“Dad!” Bug shouts from the back door. “I’m going to Christian’s.”
“Is his father home?”
She peeks out from around the corner. “Would you stop? I don’tlikehim, you know. He’s my Mel.”
That doesn’t make me feel much better. I was fourteen once.Anda boy. Best friend or not, the kid is still a red-blooded guy with teen hormones running amok.
“You didn’t answer the question.”
Her eyes roll. “Yes,warden, his dad is home. Want me to have him call you?”
I let the ‘warden’ comment slide due to the obvious sarcasm in her voice. It’s something she called me a few times when she was grounded. But since she was the perfect inmate, I gave her a pass. “Nope. I trust you. But that doesn’t mean I still won’t check up on things from time to time.”
“Whatever. Come spy through the windows if you want, we’ll just be playing video games.”
“Be home by ten.”
“Yup. I know my curfew. Bye.”
Once the door shuts, I turn to Allie. “Do you think her curfew should be nine? What was yours when you were fourteen?”
She shrugs. “I can’t remember. Ten seems fair for a freshman in high school.”
“She’ll probably ask for it to be eleven next year, then midnight. By the time she’s a senior, she’ll want to stay out until one in the morning.” I pinch my brow. “I’m not ready for this.”
“Not ready for her to grow up?” She touches her stomach. “We’re going to blink and these two will be Bug’s age. Promise me we’re going to cherish every second and not waste it on trying to be perfect parents raising perfect kids.”
I laugh. “Since when have I ever been close to being a perfect parent?”
She squeezes my thigh. “You’re an amazing father. I’m so glad it’s you.”
“So glad what’s me?”
“Who knocked me up.”
“Sweetheart, you have no idea.” I kiss her belly. “I’m going to draw you that bath.”