Like That

Chapter 15 - Mini Road Trip

My other life keeps me calm and grounded and normal. - Shawn Johnson

Chapter 15 Mini-Road Trip

Cooper's POV:

"Good morning, Ms. Hannah," I say as Emily's mom meets me at the door. Addy runs past me to find Mason.

"Emily's running around here somewhere with Peyton. She'll be back in a minute. Coffee?"

"Thanks." I follow her to the kitchen, grab coffee, and talk to Ms. Hannah. She is happy that I started taken off work on Saturdays. She thinks I'm missing too much of Addy's life by working all the time. My phone chirps with a text.

Will: Change of plans. Swing by and pick us up...bring Hannah with you.

I let Ms. Hannah know that Will wants her to come to his house. She says that will save Jim a trip to come back and pick her up.

Mason walks in pours a glass of milk, and offers a glass to Addy. They are an unlikely pair. He calls her squirt, and that earns him a scowl. I'm busy watching when I hear a soft chuckle behind me.

"Good morning, Cooper." I turn around and I had to catch my breath. Emily smiles at me with Peyton in her arms.

"Good morning." I reach out and touch her hand. I've spent every evening with her this week, and I still can't keep it together when she's in the room.

"What?" She twists her forehead, and searches my face. "I'm wearing school colors. I don't have an A-State shirt, but I have red and black."

"You look nice." Look nice? She's wearing a red fitted t-shirt, a pair of slim black pants that hit a few inches above the ankle, and black and gray sandals. She has her hair braided to one side, and she looks like a college kid. I know she's close to 30, but she looks like she shed 8-10 years off of her age. Her clothes hug her small body and show off her slim curves, and I need to turn my head to keep from staring.

"You ok?" My eyes jerk toward the kitchen. Ms. Hannah is grinning at me, and I just nod.

"Don't worry Mom, that's just Cooper. He does that a lot." What? I do what a lot? Emily leans down, "You were staring at me weird again," and then she grins and tries to walks off.

"Coop, I want Coop." I reach out for Peyton and he crawls into my lap.

"You ready for our big day?" He nods.

"Are you sure you don't want me to keep him with me?"

"No, Momma, He'll be fine. We are only going to the game. He will like it. It's not like a football game, there is areas for the kids to run around if we need it."

She turns her attention from her mom to me. "Could you grab the ice chest and put it in the back of the vehicle?" She tosses me her keys. "By the way, do you mind driving?" It's only about a 2 hour trip, and I don't mind being the driver.

"No, that's fine." She busies herself with bags and sends Mason and Addy out with their hands full.

Will is standing in the driveway when we get to his house. He barely says hello as he makes a beeline to Emily. "I need you to see something." He helps her out and they walk together to the back of his house. Before I could round the corner, I hear her squeal.

"You did this?" She looks from Will to her dad. "Was this your idea?" Will nods and she throws her hands around his neck. She looks so happy as her eyes meet mine. She becomes more serious as she looks back at Will, "You made room for me at your house." Her eyes fill with tears as Will kisses her forehead.