A Broken Fate
Page 50
Chapter 23
Beautiful Family
Ari and I were knotted up together with limbs interwoven and blankets tossed when I heard our bedroom door open with a creak. I could hardly even open my eyes to see what the cause of my disturbance was.
I peeked through a slit in my eye to see Aggie standing in the doorway with a very sleepy looking Max at her feet. I tried to shake Ari awake but my efforts were useless.
“What,” I finally croaked.
“Do not ‘what’ me, Ava.”
“Aggie, what do you want?” I moaned in a childish whiny way.
“It’s noon. Why aren’t you up yet?” she snapped.
“What do you want?!” I snapped back, tucking my face into Ari’s neck.
“I need to run to the store to get some Christmas shopping done and Max needs a nap. Also, tonight is Andy’s Christmas party for work. I need you to watch Max. I packed a bag and left it on the floor in the kitchen.”
I nodded at her.
“C’mon, Max.”
He tore away from Aggie’s side in a flash and I helped him crawl up in to the bed next to Ari. Max curled himself up into Ari’s free arm, blinked twice, and was asleep.
Aggie tried to give me instructions or something but she was too late; I was already slipping back into the world of sleep as she gave up and left.
I woke up a couple of hours later to the sound of Max giggling. I gave a stretch and sat up, Ari wrapped an arm around my shoulder.
“What is this all about?” he asked, nodding at Max.
“Um, I don’t really remember, something about a party; point is we have Max tonight.”
Ari gave a smile. “Okay, great, what should we do then?”
I exhaled through tight lips and air-filled cheeks, racking my brain, trying to think of something that would keep a three-year-old entertained.
“I don’t really know. Any ideas?”
Ari rubbed at the stubble on his face and stared at me blankly.
I climbed out of bed, grabbed some clothes, and headed to the shower.
“Let me know what you come up with, I have to wash hot tub scum off me. I’ll be out in a bit.”
“Hurry,” Ari said in a small panic.
I tossed my head back and laughed.
“Why Ari? Are you nervous?”
He climbed out of bed and threw Max over his shoulder.
“No … not nervous, just hurry.” They headed for the kitchen, presumably for a snack and I hurried up to get ready for what was left of the day.