Chapter 30

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*** Had to hurry and finish/post this before I left for work today, cuz I meant to have it out on Monday, but I was sick, and then just...life. But it's out now. Only a few chapters left for my sweet, sweet darlings Natty and Goose. I'm gonna cry.



"Levi, I need you to clean up your toys before Daddy gets here, buddy." I set my laptop and notebook to the side. I had been taking the time to work on some wedding planning while Calliope was asleep, but all of the information was making my head swim.

"I playing, Mommy."

"I know you are, but Daddy is going to be here soon. Auntie Lottie is visiting."

Levi paused and looked up at me. "Presents?"

"I don't know, sweetheart."

He stuck out his lower lip. "Okay. I help Mommy?"

"Help me with what?"

"Work!" He pointed at the cushion where my notebook lay.

"Oh!" I chuckled. "Mommy isn't working, but you can help if you clean up your toys, okay?"

He began moving at lightning speed to put his toys in the bin before climbing up next to me on the sofa. "All done!"

"Good job baby!" I pulled my laptop back into my lap. "Wanna see where Mommy and Goose might get married?"

Levi looked at the screen and his tiny mouth formed an 'O'. "A princess castle?"

I grinned. "Not exactly. It's a pretty building, though, right?"

He nodded. "We go there?"

I shrugged. "Mommy has to call and talk to the people first, but if we go look at it you can come with us, okay?"

"Okay!"

I made sure I had written the contact information down correctly before moving to my next tab. "Now we're going to look at pretty dresses."

"Okay Mommy!" He curled up in my side and watched as I scrolled through dress after dress until Calliope started crying upstairs. "Uh-oh! Baby P crying!"

"I'm gonna go get her, okay? You keep looking at dresses." As I was making my way up the stairs, I heard the sound of tires in the driveway, signaling the arrival of either Sutton or Louis. I hurried my trip up the stairs, scooping my fussy daughter out of her crib just as a knock sounded on the door. I cursed under my breath as I heard Levi's little feet on the hardwood floor. "Levi, don't touch the door, dude!"

"Daddy!" Levi shrieked, now apparently hitting the glass of the window next to the door.

I sighed and looked down at Calliope, who was still fussing, but much quieter. "I'm so sorry, sweetheart, but I'll change you in just a moment." I grabbed the necessary supplies and headed back downstairs, moving carefully, as I was paranoid that I would trip down the stairs while holding the baby. By the time I reached the door, Levi was crying because he couldn't hug Louis, so I unlocked the door and swung it open, giving Louis a dry smile. "Welcome to the Thunderdome," I said wryly.

Louis picked Levi up and spun him around. "Hey little man!" He nodded behind himself as he set Levi down. "Lottie's here, but she won't come in until you say she can, so she's in the car."

I laughed and waved to Lottie before gesturing for her to come inside. "Sorry it took a minute. You got here as Calli woke up. I thought Levi was going to try and unlock the door."

Lottie stepped into the house and beamed at me. "Hi, Natalie, lovely to see you! And my little Levi!" She waved at Levi, who hid his face in Louis' shoulder. Lottie turned to the baby in my arms. "Oh, and this little angel, how precious!"

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