Mandy

Chapter 28

Anything, anything, anything is. Anything is possible.
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   Mandy was up early the next morning, and by the time Caleb made it to the kitchen, her hands were buried in dough.

   "Good morning." Caleb greeted her.

   Mandy looked up and smiled. "Good morning." She replied.

   "Do you need any help?" He asked.

   She looked around the kitchen, then pointed to some pans she had gotten out earlier. "You could grease those." She suggested.

   Caleb grabbed the tub of margarine, then set it down next to the pans as he pulled them apart. "Did you get a room ready?" He asked.

"Yes, I put him in the one next to the backdoor. It's probably best we have a bit of safety there." Mandy replied.

Caleb nodded in agreement. "Did you come up with a name for this place yet?" He asked.

She laughed. "I've been trying, but it's really hard to pick a name for this place."

"In a good way or a bad way?" Caleb asked as he moved on to greasing the second pan.

Mandy smiled as she stretched the dough. "A good way. This place is so beautiful, and I just want to pick the perfect name."

Caleb grinned. "That's nice and all, but we aren't opening this place without a name. So you better pick one soon."

She glared at him. "Don't rush me." She ordered teasingly.

He put his hands up. "Well, you don't have to pick a name. This place just won't open until you do." He replied, earning himself another glare.

Mandy sighed as she punched the dough. "I think I hear Ami." She said as she walked over to the sink and rinsed off her hands.

"Just grease three of those and split the dough between them." Mandy instructed, then ran up the stairs into their room.

"Mommy." Amilee whispered as soon as she walked into the room.

Mandy glanced over at the crib, relieved to see Ethan was still fast asleep. "What's wrong?" She asked.

"I had the nightmare." Amilee said as she sat up on their mattress, her cheeks streaked with tears.

Mandy sighed as she sat down beside her. "It'll be alright." She whispered.

Amilee nodded as she wiped her cheeks. "Mommy?"

"Yes?"

"Are we going to put something in the box?" Ami asked.

Mandy hesitated. "We will, but, sweetheart, remember what we talked about when Daddy first came back?"

Amilee nodded. "It's our little secret. Uncle Caleb and Ethan don't know."

Mandy nodded, a sad smile on her face as Amilee climbed on her lap. "You're the best little girl I could ever have asked for." She whispered.

Amilee didn't reply for a minute. "Do you think...do you think Mama would be proud of me?"

Mandy felt her heart somersault. "I'm sure she would be Ami. They love you. Remember, they are always with you."

"In my heart." Amilee finished. "Mommy?"

"Yes sweetheart?"

"I think you're the best second mommy I could ever have."