Nicki walked about her living room making sure everything was where it should be. Her granddaughters were coming over for the weekend and she promised them that their weekend would be nothing short of relaxing. With their summer assessments coming up she knew this would be just what they needed. She hadn't seen much of them recently and she too was looking forward to finally having some company in the larger than average house she called a home.
She was lost in her own thoughts looking at the photo that sat on the mantelpiece - a beautiful family portrait taken at her son's wedding. They didn't get many opportunities to spend time together anymore with everyone being so busy so she cherished the moments that they did share dearly.
The sound of the doorbell echoed around the house, drawing her from her thoughts and encouraging her to go and open it.
"Hello my little ladybugs," Nicki said as she pulled both into a hug and they gave her a sweet and cheery 'hello' back. "I've missed you both so much,"
"We've missed you more grandma," River said as they finally let go.
"And you can enjoy them for the weekend. Keep them longer if you want to," Dominic said as he placed the two small suitcases by the door. The girls playfully rolled their eyes at their dad's comment as they walked further into the house after taking off their shoes.
"And how are you baby boy," Nicki said as they shared an embrace.
"Really mom?" he said and she chuckled.
"You already know you'll alway be my baby boy no matter how big you get. How's work, you seem tired," she commented and he sighed.
"That I am. Work has been kinda hectic, but with the girls out of the house for the weekend, I can definitely get some rest." He said and Nicki chuckled.
"Well I'm gonna enjoy the company," she said and he smiled.
"You do know you're always welcome to come over if you ever get bored or lonely," he said and she chuckled.
"You don't worry about me young man, I'm just fine. Besides, I know how to get what I want when I want it, I was just enjoying the stillness," she said and he just shook his head with a smile.
"Anyway, you lovely ladies have fun. Girls, I'll see you tomorrow," he called out and they shouted a goodbye back from the other room.
"Say Hi, to Stella for me,"
"I will," and with a kiss on her cheek and one last embrace he was on his way.
With River and Raelynn already comfortable on the couch Nicki didn't hesitate to go and join them. "What do we have planned for the day," Rae asked as she tucked into her grandmother's side with her sister doing the same on the other side.
"Well I thought our own version of a bottomless brunch, minus the alcohol," she said, eying them both and they chuckled. "The suns out so we can enjoy being by the poolside and maybe put something on the grill for dinner," she suggested and they nodded. "And maybe if you're both upto it we can do a bit of dress up and you can help me pick an outfit for my upcoming events,"
"I call dibs on the first pick," River said and her sister groaned.
"You always pick first and you always take the best items," Rae said with a frown causing Nicki to laugh.
"I promise you'll both stand a fair chance of winning, and besides with all this free time I've had, I've been shopping so there's a lot of new things to see, but that's an argument for later, what I want right now is a margarita and for the pair of you to tell me all about the crazy things going on in high schools these days,"
