Gage smacked my ass as I walked by. “Love you, too.”
I walked into Londyn’s room to find Gabe sitting on the floor in front of her crib with a book in his hands. He was flipping page after page and making up a story. Londyn was loving it. Giggling, she was saying over and over, “Bub bub, more.”
“Good morning babies.” I said resting my head on the door frame.
“Mommy! Did you see me? I was reading to Londyn.” Gabe jumped up and ran to me.
Hugging him I answered, “I did, sweetie. She was loving it.”
Londyn clapped her hands and yelled, “Mama!” She had started calling me Mama a few months ago. At first I wanted to tell her I wasn’t Mama, but I was her Mama. In my heart it felt right. I could never be Cobie, I didn’t want to be. But, I would be the next best thing and love Londyn unconditionally.
Letting go of Gabe I made my way to Londyn. The closer I got, the more excited she got. Lifting her out of her crib I hugged her close and kissed her cheeks. “Is somebody ready to eat?”
Gabe ran out the door and was halfway down the stairs when I heard him yell, “Superhero power pancakes!”
Walking out of Londyn’s room I looked at her and said, “I think Bub bub wants pancakes. Do you want pancakes, too?”
Londyn excitedly nodded and said, “Ess, ess! Peese!”
There was a time, not too long ago, that I never pictured myself with anymore kids. But now I couldn’t picture my life without Londyn. I may not be her biological mom but I loved her enough for the both of us.
“Ok, pancakes it is.”
The pancakes were almost done when I saw Gage sauntering into the kitchen.
“I just got off the phone with my mom, she said she will be here around ten to pick up the kids. Why don’t you go ahead and get in the shower while the kids are eating.”
Frowning I asked, “Why do I need to take a shower now? I can just wait until your mom gets the kids.”
“I was going to see if you could run to a few places for me today. I won’t have time and they need to be done today.”
“Where do I need to go?” I asked as I cut up pancakes for Londyn.
Gage grabbed Gabe’s plate and carried it to the table. “I will text you a list. It’s nothing you can’t handle, supermom.”
“Haha. Got this shit covered.” I handed Gage Londyn’s plate and rinsed my hands. “I will go get their bag ready then get in the shower. Will you clean up?”
Gage held his hands up, inspecting them he said, “Go ahead. I think these money makers can handle a few dirty dishes.”
Rolling my eyes, I ignored his comment. Kissing Londyn and Gabe I told them I loved them then walked up the stairs.
Going into Gabe’s room I pulled out his clothes for the day, an extra ‘just in case’ outfit, and his swim trunks. Gathering it into my arms I crossed the hall to Londyn’s room. Putting Gabe’s clothes on her dresser, I opened Londyn’s closet to get her clothes and swimsuit. Putting her clothes next to Gabe’s I reached for the diaper bag. It wasn’t on the door handle. I always put it there.
Pushing the door closed I looked to see if it fell. Nothing on the floor. What the hell?
Yelling, I asked, “Gage, is Londyn’s diaper bag down there?”
No answer.
“Gage? Is the diaper bag down there?” I yelled again.
Still, no answer. Seriously? I know he could hear me, he was just ignoring me.
Stomping down the stairs I huffed and puffed into the kitchen. It was clean and everyone was gone. “Hello? Anyone? This isn’t funny!”
Looking around the kitchen I saw a piece of paper on the counter. Picking it up I saw it was from Gage.
Dear Annie,
Don’t freak out. We are all safe. But I lied. Today is all about you. I want you to go upstairs, take a relaxing bath and get dressed. A princess can’t have a proper scavenger hunt without a chariot. Your car will be here at ten. The driver will have the clue to your next stop. There are a few rules…accept them and follow them. I’ll be waiting for you. Love you.
Rule 1…No cell phone today and no, you cannot borrow someone else’s.
Rule 2…there will be a photographer stalking you, don’t mind him.
Rule 3…You must read each clue out loud so the photographer can also record with a flipcam.
Rule 4…Relax, have fun, and enjoy your day
Gage
What was going on? Smiling, I looked at the clock, eight forty. I had an hour and twenty minutes before my car was here.
Taking my time, I took a relaxing bubble bath with candles and soothing music. I was dressed and ready five minutes until ten.
At exactly ten o’clock the doorbell rang. Opening the front door I saw a nicely dressed older man with a large bouquet of lilies. Behind him was the photographer, snapping away.
“Good morning, Miss Holland. I’m Chet, I will be your driver today.” Handing me the flowers he said, “These are for you, make sure to read the card.”
Taking the flowers, I sat them on the entry table and pulled out the card. Opening the card I found another note.
Go for a ride and trust me. Your next clue awaits you at 6489 Paradise Lane.
Grabbing my purse off the table, I smiled to the two men.
“This way, ma’am.” Chet said, pointing to the limo. Gage really did go all out. Following Chet to the limo he opened the door and I slid inside, the photographer right behind me. I was surprised to find Leigha, Sadie, and Jenna inside.
The three of them were laughing when my mouth dropped opened.
“Ok, can y’all tell me what the hell is going on?”
Jenna said, “We really don’t know either. Gage text us last night. He asked us to meet at the bar this morning, that there would be a car waiting. And here we are.”
Leigha grabbed a champagne flute filled with Mimosa and held it up. Jenna, Sadie, and I grabbed a flute and held ours up too. She said, “To girl’s day and to Gage for being so generous.” After clinking glasses we all drained our flutes.
Turning my head to look at the photographer I asked, “Do you know what’s going on?”
Winking, he replied, “You’re not supposed to see me. I cannot answer that question.”
“Oh! You know, don’t you?”
Giving me a half smile and another wink he tilted his head. “By the way, my name is Todd.”
Sticking my tongue out playfully I said, “Nice to meet you. You’re not going to tell me anything, are you?”
Todd grinned. “Nope.”
I turned to face my friends again. Leigha turned on the radio and the car was filled with Gage’s voice.
“Hey, ladies. I have made a special CD for Annie. It is filled with songs that are all special to us. In the small compartment beside the radio you will find a box of Kleenex. Annie will need them. Enjoy your day, ladies. And, Annie, I love you.”
As Gage’s voice ended and Your Call by Secondhand Serenade came through the speakers. This was the song that was playing the night Gage told me he wanted to be more than just friends. He wanted to be my one and only.
Feeling my eyes tear up, I looked to the girls and asked, “Tissue, please?”
I saw Jenna getting teary eyed too when she said, “He really loves you. I’m so glad he found you. You have changed him, he’s the old Gage again. Thank you so much.”
“I love him too, so much, maybe too much. I don’t know what my life would be like without him and I don’t ever want to know. I can see myself marrying him one day.”
