Page 89 of Time for Change
I can’t help but laugh. “Christian, buddy, we weren’t playing partners.”
My little guy just shrugs his shoulders. “I was.”
Stevie starts collecting the cards as I say, “All right, guys, it’s time for bed.”
“What? You said we can stay up all night!”
“I did no such thing,” I tell Christian. “I told you we could forego baths tonight if we took them in the morning. We still have bedtime.”
“Oh man,” he grumbles, sliding out of his booster seat on the chair and heading for Stevie. He throws his arms around her and hugs her tight. “Tanks for being my partner.”
She chuckles and returns his hug. “You’re welcome.”
“And tanks for eating the yucky green stuff with us.”
I sigh and roll my eyes. “Roasted Brussels sprouts are good for you,” I remind, but it falls on deaf ears.
“Can you come play with me again tomorrow?” he asks with hopeful eyes.
“Oh, uh, I don’t know. We’ll see,” she replies, running her hand over his head. “I had a great time hanging out with you all tonight.”
Christian hugs her once more, this time a little tighter. I can tell he’s just dragging out the inevitable, hoping to steal a few extra minutes downstairs before bed. Usually I’d call him on it, but honestly, I really fucking like seeing him hug Stevie the way he is.
“Good night, Christian.”
“Night,” he grumbles, finally letting her go and turning to face me.
“Go ahead and go upstairs. Your pajamas are sitting on the bed, and I’ll be up in a few minutes to help you brush your teeth.”
“All right,” he mutters sadly. “Bye, Stevie. I’ll miss you.”
She smiles. “I’ll miss you too. Good night.”
Christian slowly walks away, like he’s headed for the electric chair, and I turn to Gianna. “Time for you to head up too.”
She nods, standing from the chair. She walks around the table and gives me a hug. “Night, Daddy. Love you.”
“Love you too, Gi. I’ll check on you when I come upstairs to help your brother.”
“Okay.” She starts to walk away, leading me to believe she’s going to ignore Stevie, but then stops and turns around. “Night, Stevie.”
“Good night, Gianna. I had a wonderful time tonight.”
My daughter nods before disappearing around the corner and heading for the stairs.
“Let me get this picked up, and then I’ll need to go up for a few minutes.”
“No problem,” she states, making sure all the cards are stacked the right direction and helping me return the game to the box. “I’ll wait here, unless you want me to leave?”
Leave? I want her to stay for as long as she’ll have me.
“Stay. I’ll just be a few minutes, and then we can watch TV or a movie.”
She smiles. “Okay.”
I set the game back in the cabinet with the others and hurry up the stairs, taking them two at a time. Gianna’s door is closed, so I opt to say good night to Christian first. I find him in his room, already dressed in race car pajamas. “Ready to brush your teeth?” I ask.
“Do I have to?”
