No Way Out [Book 3]

Chapter 54 - Helping Hands

***Bea's POV

I inhale a big breath and let it out through a yawn, feeling someone nestle into my side. I open my eyes and look to my right, smiling my 'mommy smile.'

"Hi, sweet girl."

"Hi. Can I stay home with you and Dad so I can, can, can help you guys since you had surgery and can't do stuff, and don't worry about Jelly Bean cos she'll stay with Grammy and Papaw, and I've already talked to her about it and she's fine with going by herself and she promised she'll be a big girl, so can I stay and help you and, and, and Dad, please?"

She gets her rambling from her father.

"Oh! And Dad said you guys would raise my allowance, too."

"He did, did he?" I ask in a knowing tone and she eagerly nods.

I glance over at Harry and he gives me a dimpled smile while he feeds Janelle her bottle. I roll my eyes into a smile and look back at Ferris who is now clasping her hands under her chin and continuously whispering 'please.'

"Oh alright, yes to both. You can stay with us to help and we'll raise your allowance."

"Yes!" she does her happy dance, unintentionally moving me around.

"Alright, Love, let's calm down, please."

Harry's kind yet stern tone works and Ferris settles down, placing her hand on my arm.

"Oh my gosh, did I hurt you?"

Look at that little face. She has such a sensitive heart. I can't tell her the truth.

"I'll be fine, sweet girl."

"You promise?"

"I promise."

"Oh good," Ferris smiles a relieved smile, looking at me with her big blue eyes. "So what can I do to help first?"

"Hmm, I'm kinda thirsty. Could you get me a glass of water, please?"

"Yeah! Comin' right up," she hops off the sofa, unintentionally moving me around again.

I brace myself against the arm of the sofa and Harry whispers my name, earning my attention. His concerned expression fades into relief when I mouth that I'm fine and he turns his attention to our daughter who is feasting on her bottle like there's no tomorrow.

"Beatrice, are you sure about this?"

"Yes, I'm sure, Mom," I answer as nicely as possible. "It wasn't part of our original plan, but I think it'll be good."

I ignore her doubtful eyebrow raise and my dad places his hand on her shoulder.

"Don't start, Lauren. Let the kids make their own decisions without your meddling," he quietly warns and my mom sighs.

Yeah, I hate it when my husband is right, too.

"Here you go, Mom," Ferris' chipper voice captures my attention.

"Thank you, sweet girl. Can you set it on this table next to me, please?" I ask and she carefully sets the glass on the coaster. "Good job."

"Need anything else?"

"Not right now, but thank you."

"You're welcome," she beams her precious smile and walks over to Harry and Janelle. "Hi, my little baby, is your milk good?" she coos, gently petting her head. "Aw, you're so cute."

The sight of my girls interacting together melts my mommy heart and I have to fight back tears.

"Now that you two have an extra pair of helping hands, I guess we'll get going."