A Noun

Chapter Twenty: Surprise.

Ellie was picking up the kids while Finn wasn't home. He was doing a late night at the museum.

"Thank you again. Mike is just..." she blushed thinking about the guy she was seeing.

I told her I didn't mind as we shut the kids bedroom door since we were at her house. I helped her bring them over. They were heavy when asleep.

"He's brilliant when we talk. He makes me feel so comfortable and happy, but to be completely honest, he's terrible at his job."

I knew she had mentioned they worked in the same building.

She poured me a coffee, knowing I wouldn't want wine. She and I chatted many times when Finnick worked late and she picked up her kids.

"What is it you two do for work? You never mentioned." I asked as I sipped the coffee she gave me.

She spoke so nonchalantly and while pouring a glass of wine into a coffee cup.

"He's an accountant and I'm an editor at the Blue Fish Publishing house."

I nearly choked on my coffee.

I had been babysitting the children of an editor for months.

"So if you know anyone who can actually give me something to read, I could look at it. I haven't gotten anything in weeks. I'd take anything." She said with a chuckle before sipping her wine.

"I um," I fiddled with my coffee mug as I spoke. "I actually have been trying to get someone to read a novel I wrote."

Her eyes perked up. "Really? You write?"

I nodded and she nodded. "Just give me a copy tomorrow morning. I'll read it for you and I'll see what I can do."

I was taken back. "You'd just read it without knowing what it's about?"

She nodded with a smile. "You wipe my kids bums and keep them extremely happy all while teaching them. Of course I'm gonna read it. Just," she took my hand that rested on the counter.

She looked serious as she continued. "Please don't be offended if I can't do anything. I have to read it over a few times and then get my higher ups to talk about the legitimacy of me signing you on. It wouldn't be personal."

"I'll give you a copy tomorrow."

I kept it a secret from Finn. I didn't want to get his hopes up for the book to just be tossed in a trash can.

I felt him, very late that night come home.

He was finally spooning me in bed.

I sighed peacefully in my very sleepy state.

He kissed my neck gently, saying hello.

"I'm so sorry about how late it got. I might be onto something though. Maybe an adventure will come to us soon."

I just basked in the warmth of his arms as we sunk deeper into our warm, fresh sheets.

Ellie dropped off the kids and I handed her the book in it's rough, paper copy state.

She chuckled. "Not a flash drive?"

I shook my head and smiled. "Old fashioned."

She respected that and gave her kids kisses goodbye before she headed off for the day.

We played, napped and learned very much about imagining. We played fairies for a while until Disney movies became what was needed for the two little ones.

I quickly showered since Finley spit up in my hair while they watched princess and the frog.

I changed into white and wild flower printed midi skirt that fell to my lower shin. I had a burnt orange cotton baggy tee shirt on top that was tucked in, but left a little baggy.