Twelve | Avery
Twelve
Avery
“I need to go to work ,” I objected, trying to get past Sam, who blocked me in the kitchen.
“Not today, Avery.”
“You don’t get it,” I mumbled, still feeling way too tired to try to function. But that didn’t matter right now. If I was going to make Christmas magical for Kennedy, I needed every penny I could get.
“I do. And I’m sorry you’re feeling frustrated, but you’re no good to me at work like this. You need to sleep and get better.”
“I’m fine. Really. I’m going to work if you’d move out of the way so I can get my shoes.” I sniffled, then burst into a coughing fit.
“You need to rest, momma,” Kennedy said, tugging on my hand to get my attention.
“See, even Kennedy knows you need to rest,” Cassidy said, walking past me and opening the refrigerator.
“How did you get here?” I asked, feeling like I was in a fever dream again. I had tossed and turned so much that I couldn’t tell if it was day or night when I finally woke up.
“I’ve been here since yesterday. I brought treats from Sugarplum Sweets. I helped Sam and Kennedy decorate those sugar cookies.” She nodded to the plate sitting on the island. “And I stayed the night after helping with dinner and giving Kennedy a bath. I’ve been here the whole time.”
I shook my head, only making myself dizzier.
“Well, then, you can drive me to work.”
“Nope. No can do. You, my friend, are staying home today.”
“You guys are impossible,” I groaned, throwing my head back in frustration.
“No, you are being impossible,” Cassidy corrected, pinning me with a look. “You’re sick, and believe it or not, no one wants a shot of flu with their espresso. So stay home and get better. I’m sure Sam will have opportunities for you to make up your hours once you’re feeling better.”
“She’s right,” Sam said, giving me a gentle smile. “This time of year gets super busy, and we always have days when we need extra help. It will be easy to make up the hours you’re missing today.”
I looked down at my daughter, who was pleading with her eyes and begging me to stay.
“Alright. Fine.” I sighed and pulled her in for a hug as her hands wrapped around my hips.
“Do you want me to make you breakfast, momma?”
“No, honey. Thank you. I’ll make you breakfast, though. What would you like?”
“Sam already made me pancakes and bacon,” she said, dancing happily around me.
I looked up and found him grinning.
“I said it was a once-a-week thing,” I playfully scolded. “Not an everyday thing.”
“I’m sorry, Avery. I tried. I really did. But then she looked at me with those big, blue eyes, and I couldn’t say no.”
“You’re gonna have to try harder.”
“Or I could just stay the cool, fun uncle,” he teased, winking at me.
“Are you and Cassidy still fighting to be Kennedy’s favorite?”
The words had slipped out before I could process them.
Sam’s eyes widened as Cassidy’s narrowed at me.
“What?” she demanded, planting her hands on her hips and glaring at him. “You’re purposely doing stuff to get Kennedy to like you more?”
“No,” he lied, transforming from the innocent brother sad face to the irresistibly cute pretend angry face he was giving me.
“You liar! I knew it! That’s why you took credit for the sugar cookies yesterday.”
“Hey, I took credit for them because they were my idea. You can ask Avery. She was standing right here when I asked you to get them.”
“Yeah, but I was the one who bought them. I should get credit for that.”
“You only bought them because I told you to.”
“Whatever.” Cassidy huffed out a breath and folded her arms over her chest as she turned away from her brother.
“You can’t act like you haven’t been trying to bribe Kennedy as well,” Sam said, pointing a finger at his sister. “You’re the one who brought the bath crayons and let her draw all over the walls of the tub last night. You’re also the one who bought the Christmas-themed fruit snacks and made Christmas-shaped Rice Krispie treats.”
“Hey—she liked them,” Cassidy objected, whirling around to glare at her brother.
“Of course she did. But what you mean to say is that she liked you .”
“You’re damn right she does. I’m her favorite aunt.”
“You’re her only aunt,” I corrected, only to back away as Cassidy turned her glare to me.
“Whose side are you on?” she demanded, arching an eyebrow.
“Ummm, no one?”
“Oh, is that so?” Sam said, giving me a look of his own. “Should we start telling Kennedy your secrets?”
My mouth opened in disbelief before I quickly snapped it shut.
“You have secrets, Mommy?” Kennedy asked, looking up at me in confusion.
“No, baby. Mommy doesn’t have any secrets. Sam is just being silly.”
“Are you sure about that?” he teased, heading to the pantry.
My eyes widened as I shook my head no. He opened the door and pulled out the bag of Cheetos I had been eating the other night.
“Allow me to present exhibit A to you,” he said, setting the Cheetos down on the island.
“Did you eat Cheetos without me?” Kennedy asked, looking at me with a frown on her face.
Before I could answer, Sam beat me to it.
“She did. After you went to bed.”
“Sam!” I exclaimed at the same time as Cassidy.
He jumped back, startled by our outbursts, as Kennedy started laughing.
“Oooh, Sam is in trouble,” she giggled.
“Me? What about your mom? She ate Cheetos without you while you were sleeping.”
“Yeah, but she’s an adult. She can do whatever she wants,” Kennedy said with a small shrug. “Plus, she ate the ones she likes. If she ate the puffy ones I like, then I might be mad.”
“So, what you’re saying is that the puffy Cheetos are the key to winning this thing?” Sam said, contemplating a little too hard.
“Oh, you two knock it off,” I said, shaking my head. “She loves both of you equally. Now stop fighting over who her favorite is because we all know that it’s me.”
I bent down and picked her up, knowing she was far too heavy for me to hold right now. I sat her on my hip and brushed my nose against hers, loving the way her arms wrapped around my neck to give me the biggest hug ever.