Page 142 of The October Arrangement

Friday nights were ours, and Saturday mornings didn’t start with an alarm. We ate when we wanted to, went out more, and could sit on the couch for three hours without someone walking in and accusing us of stealing their chargers. We adjusted, and I was proud of how well we’d done it.

I was sitting behind my desk when my office door opened, and Bella walked in.

“Hi, sweetheart.” I smiled.

“Hi. I just got off the phone with Olivia. She and Julian are coming home for a long weekend.”

“Excellent.” I smiled. “When?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Are they leaving Sunday or Monday?”

“Monday morning,” she said.

“Good. That’ll give us four days with them.” I grinned.

I was happy and excited to see my children, but by Sunday morning, I wanted them both the fuck out. It started when they arrived home Thursday afternoon. I’d come home from work and tripped over three bags in the foyer.

“Jesus Christ,” I said.

“Daddy!” Olivia ran and threw her arms around me.

“Hi, princess.” I hugged her tightly and kissed the top of her head.

“I missed you,” she said.

That was all it took. I no longer cared that I’d tripped over her three bags that she felt the need to just drop anywhere.

“I missed you too.”

I glanced over by the couch and saw another one of her bags. Instantly, my brows furrowed.

“How long are you staying?” I asked.

“Until Monday morning.” She grinned.

“Then why do you need four bags for a short stay?”

“One is laundry.”

“Of course it is,” I said.

“No, two are laundry. Our washing machine is better than the one at Harvard.”

“They’re washing machines, Olivia. They all perform the same basic function.”

“Ours are gross, Daddy.”

“Then clean them,” I said.

Bella walked into the room carrying a laundry basket overflowing with Olivia’s clothes.

“Don’t bother, Simon. I already tried,” she sighed.

“Care to explain why you’re doing her laundry?” I asked.

“I’m not.” She dropped the basket in front of Olivia. “Laundry room. You know the way.”