“I’ll do my best.”
For now, that would have to be enough.
26
Anna
Justin leanedback in his chair, glancing at Mason. “Ready for me to kick your butt in Mario Kart?”
Mason arched a brow. “You really think you can take me?”
“Mase, I lapped you yesterday. I was thinking about giving you a thirty-second head start just to make things interesting.”
I covered my laugh with a cough.
Mason shot me a dirty look. “You’re supposed to be on my side.”
I held up both hands. “I’m not taking sides, but I think we should have a movie night instead of video games. I’ll pop popcorn…”
“Kettle corn?” Lyla asked hopefully.
“I think there’s some in the pantry.” I stood, gathering up my plate and bowl. “Help me clean up, and then we can all pick a movie.”
Lyla toyed with her fork, not moving.
“What is it, Lyla Bean?” I thought we’d assuaged the kids’ worries when Mason and I had returned home from the police station, but maybe Lyla had been more concerned than I’d thought.
“Could we make a fort? And watch the movie from there?”
The hesitancy of her voice cracked something in me. A little more grief pouring out. But I kept my voice light. “I think that’s a great idea. You and Justin can show us all of the tricks.”
Justin stood, picking up his plate and glass. “Mom was really good at making sure everything balanced.”
Lyla let out a little giggle. “Except that one time. Remember? Everything collapsed on us.”
Justin grinned. “When we were watchingHocus Pocus. You thought a witch did it.”
“It could’ve been,” Lyla argued.
Justin shook his head and brought his dishes to the sink. “You should’ve heard her. Lyla was shrieking so loud, I thought I was gonna go deaf.”
Lyla climbed out of her chair. “You were scared, too.”
“Only for a second. Then Mom started laughing and couldn’t stop. I thought she was going to pee her pants.”
The battle going on in my chest was fierce. Sorrow for the amazing mother these kids had lost. Joy that they were remembering the happy times and talking about her. I hadn’t wanted to push, but I’d been starting to worry if that was the right move. We were bringing Chelsea out into the light.
Mason wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You okay?”
I hadn’t even seen him move, too lost in my thoughts. “I think we should put some photos of Chelsea and the kids up around the house. Would that be okay?”
“Of course. Move anything of mine you want.”
I knew there were photos in the boxes in storage. It might be good to go through them with Justin and Lyla, pick which ones they wanted to display. And we could add some to their bedrooms, as well. “I should’ve thought of that before.”
“Cut yourself a little slack. We’ve had a lot going on lately. And we’re learning as we go.”
I looked up and brushed a kiss against his lips, sinking into Mason’s warmth. It was the first time I’d sought that kind of comfort from him. But it felt right. “Thank you.”
