Page 95 of Sunshine

“Elated? You mean as pleased as punch? Or as happy as a dog with two tails? Tickled?”

“On cloud nine,” Tess adds. “Ooh, how about‘chuffed?’”

I smile at her. “Good one, Tess!” I say, and kiss Jamie’s soft head when Aunty Lulah reaches out to take him.

“My turn, cutie,” Aunty Lulah says, as she scoops up the baby.

“Can Tess come to lunch?” I ask, bouncing from my spot of the couch.

“If you want her to come?” He looks at Tess with high eyebrows and she gives him a small smile and a nod. I don’t know how they think they’re fooling me. Anyone can see they love each other. Duh.

“Let’s go then, shoes on.”

“Just a sec, Daddy, I need to get my purse.”

“Purse?”

“Yes, Daddy, a lady always carries a purse.”

Lulah shrugs. “She’s your daughter.”

I sneak into the kitchen, grabbing my purse from where I left it at the side door. Reaching into the cupboard, I grab what I need and put it in my handbag, then race to the door to slip on my shoes.

“Coat, gummy bear.”

He helps me into my jacket. His motorcycle is back in the garage and his car is on the street. He never takes me on his bike. He says other drivers don’t see bikes sometimes and it’s not worth the risk. I argued that it wasn’t worth the risk for him either then. I know that made him think because he put a for sale sign on it the next day.

He still has one at the house on the island but that’s his special bike. Her name is Lady. He says it’s a bit safer on the back roads near our new house and maybe he’ll even take me out when we move there, so I think I’ll let him keep it.

When we arrive at the restaurant, Daddy lets me order off the adult menu because I don’t want grilled cheese, or nuggets or a hamburger. Tess orders something called baked ziti and Daddy orders a burger. I order spaghetti and meatballs and when the food arrives the meatballs are huge.

“Those are bigger than your head!” Tess says, her eyes as big as the meatballs.

“Silly, if they were I wouldn’t be able to do this…”

I pop one into my mouth and she laughs.

“So, tell me about what happened at court, Daddy.”

He narrows his eyes. “I thought you already knew.”

I smile. “I do, but a story is never just the end.”

Daddy and Tess look at each other. One of those looks that make my tummy flip with excitement because I know they really like each other.

He tells me what the judge said and that I must still see grandma Siobhan and Grandpa Liam but that he gets to be withme when I do. And I’m okay with that as long as he’s with me. They were nice enough.

When we’re all done, I ask to use the restroom.

As soon as they’re not watching me, I slip over to our waitress and explain my plan. She agrees and I hand her the items from my purse.

As I walk back to the table I see them pull their hands apart quickly. Silly adults.

“Shall we order dessert, gumdrop?”

I smile, because he’s falling right into my trap. I nod, enthusiastically, but the waitress is already on her way.

She sets down three cups and three spoons. Tessa looks puzzled but Daddy’s smile is crooked. He knows how sneaky I can be.