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I stopped at the threshold and peeked in.
“Is that dad?” a voice asked. It sounded like Leon's.
“Yes...” Brady replied. “And Violet!”
Tears filled my eyes as Brady jumped into my arms. I squeezed him in a hug and struggled not to cry. They weren't mad at me. When I felt a hand tugging my arm, I leaned down and brought Leon into a three-way hug. It lasted a little over a minute before I pulled away. Any longer, and I would have been a blubbering mess.
My gaze met Shawn’s over their heads, and he pinned me with a dark, unhappy look. I opened my mouth to start apologizing when Leon tugged on my arm.
“Why did you leave?”
What explanation could I give?
"We thought you just went to visit your friends, but dad said you weren't coming back."
My heart squeezed.
"Are you coming back?" Leon asked hopefully. Standing on his tiptoes, he waved me down. I did as he asked, and he whispered, "Our new nanny, Wanda, is so boring. She doesn't want us to play video games, and even when we do, she can't play along. She says cooking is not for kids until Brady and I showed her we could make mean pancakes."
A proud smile covered my face, but the first part of the statement was worrying. "I'm sure Wanda is nice in some ways?"
“Yeah,” he admitted grudgingly. “When Brady scuffed his knee on the stairs, she cleaned him up, gave him milk, and put him to bed.”
“That was thoughtful of her.”
Leon nodded.
“Let's give her a chance, okay? It's only been a few days, right?”
He nodded again. “But I still like you best.”
I danced a little inside but gave him a modest smile. I didn't want to be compared to any nanny he would have after me. While I enjoyed the work, I wanted to be a teacher.
“What did you do while you were gone? Did you go to the park?” Brady asked as we drifted toward the living room.
"I had an interview for a job," I said for the kids’ and their dad's benefit. He hovered around the living room while the kids and I sank into chairs. What was up with him? Most importantly, did I want to know?
“What job?” Leon asked.
“To be a teacher at an academy.”
“What's it like? I'm sure they wear uniforms,” Leon said.
I didn't know if that was a jab or curiosity. Either way, I indulged his inquisitive mind.
"Oh, they wear uniforms. It's also a very big old school that an Englishman started, so that's not unexpected. It has lots of school grounds, and the classes have fancy names."
“Like the houses do in Harry Potter?” Leon stared at me wide-eyed.
"Uh-huh. They’re named after teachers from many years ago and sound mysterious and a bit magical."
“Wow...” Brady came to sit right beside me.
I draped a hand over his shoulder. “Know what else is special about the school?”
He shook his head.
“There are so many unique sports to participate in. Everything from synchronized swimming to football.”
