Page 9 of Manny Included

Pete just shook his head.“He was my best friend, but… I didn’t go in their room.”

“All right then.I’ll get a company to come in, inventory, pack, and store it in the attic.That way no one has to deal, but it won’t just disappear forever.I do think you’ll be able to add a home office to the room, Bay.Unless you can use one of the smaller rooms.They all have beds in them, though.”

“We’ll worry about that later.Let’s focus on one thing at a time.”

Oh, thank god.He could breathe.

“As you wish,” Will noted.“Next on my list is meals.There’s a company that delivers prepped meals for the fridge and you just need to warm them.What kind of eaters are the kids?”

“They’re pretty good, honestly.Belle is the easiest.Eric defaults to green beans and chicken nuggets, if you ask him.Merida loves eggs and hot dogs and french fries best.”

“Okay, I’ll give that list to the company.What about you, Pete?You have any favorites?Any no-nos?I already know what Bay won’t eat.”

“I—I like food.My favorite is pasta, I guess?”

“Excellent.It’ll be easier with a fridge and freezer full of food.One less thing to worry about, you know?”

“You always think of everything, Will,” Bay noted.

“Life experience.Aka, I’m old.”

“I feel that.”He felt like he was a thousand years old, at least.

Will gave him a look.“You are not old, though I understand the sentiment at the moment.If you guys need anything else before the reading of the will tomorrow, just give me a call, okay?”

Bay nodded.“Thanks, Will.You are, as always, very much appreciated.”

“Yes, thank you for your he?—”

“Mama!Mama!”

He stood and headed to Merida.“Petey’s here, baby.I’m right here.”

She held her arms up to him, and he lifted her.“Come on, let check your Pull Ups.”

“So cute,” he heard Will say.“Poor sweet baby.”

“Bot?”

“How about a sippy cup of milk?”

She nodded, thumb sneaking into her lips.

“Should she be doing that?”Bay asked.

“Probably not, but she’s self-soothing.She’s stressed out.”He knew she was looking for her mom and dad.

“Yeah, I imagine we all are.”Bay sighed.“What is it she wants?A bot?”

“Yes, but she’s a big girl, huh?She can have a sippy cup and some… eggs?”

“Eggies!”she cheered.

“So what’s a bot?”Bay asked.

“It’s a bottle.We’re a little mad because Flynn still gets one.”

“Ah.Playground politics, eh?Funny how some things never change, at least fundamentally.”