Unexpected Family

Mackenzie Doesn't Sit Still

Billie's POV

Skylar's easy to talk to when it's quiet.

Mackenzie? Not so much.

She never stops moving. She talks in bursts and giggles and sound effects. She answers serious questions with animal noises.

She'll throw herself into your arms one second and barrel roll across the floor the next.

So yeah sitting her down for a "serious talk"? Impossible.

I waited until she was in the bath, surrounded by bubbles and four plastic ducks that she'd named "Mommy Duck," "Shark Duck," "Booty Duck," and "Billie Duck."

That last one had no head. I didn't ask questions.

She was splashing around, making the ducks argue about who got to sit on the soap bar like it was a throne.

I sat on the floor beside the tub and watched her play, my arms resting on my knees.

"Mackenzie," I said gently.

"Hmm?"

I reached into the water and grabbed the one surviving duck with eyes. "Can I tell you something important?"

She narrowed her eyes. "Are you gonna say it's bedtime again?"

"No."

"Good. 'Cause I'm not tired."

"Of course you're not," I muttered, then exhaled. "I've been talking to some people. About... maybe keeping you and Skylar. Forever."

She blinked at me. Then dunked "Shark Duck" dramatically under the water.

I waited.

Then: "Like, we would live here with you and the dog and the cereal and the couch forever and ever and ever?"

"Something like that, yeah."

She leaned over the edge of the tub and whispered like she was telling me a big secret.

"Can I still have ice cream even if I scream sometimes?"

I laughed and then my heart broke a little.

"Yes, you can still have ice cream," I said softly. "Even if you scream. Even if you spill it. Even if you throw your duck army at me. I want you here."

She looked at me for a long time. Just stared. Her curls were stuck to her cheeks,

her face red from the warm water, but she was suddenly very still.

"You're nice," she said seriously. "Like, not fake nice. The real kind."

I swallowed hard. "Thanks, Mack."

Then she splashed a tidal wave of bath water across the floor. "Now let me wash your face!"

She tried. I dodged. We both ended up soaked.

Later that night, when she was clean and dry and half-asleep on my chest, she mumbled, "I don't wanna leave again."

"You won't," I said, voice steady, even if I didn't feel that way yet. "I'm gonna try really hard to keep you."

She didn't answer.

But her hand found mine.

And held on.