Three's Company

10. Bad Guy

Jordan's (Mama) POV

  I am so ready for this semester to be over. I love teaching, I really do, but college students can be difficult. It seems like they get worse every year, or maybe that's my tolerance for college drama. Either way, I'm relieved to be done for the day. A headache is brewing and I'm more than ready to just go home and relax.

  Beth greets me at the door with a smile and my instinct is to just walk into her arms.

  "Bad day?" She asks softly. I sigh softly as her hands rub up and down my back.

  "I can't even say it was a bad day. I'm just exhausted, ready for vacation. What did you come up with?" I ask with a laugh. I'd rather focus on something to look forward to.

  "Uhh actually, the whole idea slipped my mind today." Beth says sheepishly.

  "Seriously?" I ask. I'm a little surprised considering when I left it seemed as if the wheels were turning for her.

  "I got distracted." Beth chuckles.

  "Hmm okay..." I say a little skeptically. Why does she seem like she's up to something? "Where's Paisley?"

  "In the living room." Beth smiles. Her hand comes to the small of my back as we walk together. "Oh also don't freak out, I promise I'll clean up."

  Before I can ask what she's talking about, I see what she's talking about. "The hell did you do to my house?" I groan taking in the scene before me. The couch is pulled apart. There's blankets everywhere, some even stapled to the fucking wall.

  "Mama!" Paisley chirps, popping her head out near the side of the couch. "Ook we made a fort!"

  "I see that Princess." I smile, though this living room situation is only making my headache worse. "Did you and Mommy have a good day?"

  "Uh huh!" She beams. She's lucky she's cute.

"That's good baby. Can Mama have a hug?" I ask opening my arms wide. She crawls the rest of the way out of her fort and jumps into my arms. Her momentum has me falling back a few steps. Luckily Beth reaches out a steadying hand, so we don't topple to the ground. "Whoa what a hug!" I chuckle and kiss her good cheek.

  "Careful Pumpkin. Let's not knock Mama over." Beth says.

  "Sowwy Mama." Paisley replies, the tip of her nose nuzzling against my neck.

  "That's alright Princess." I smile and pat her bottom letting her know to put her feet on the ground.

  "Mama wanna come inside?" Paisley asks excitedly.

  "I'll just peek in, I need to go get changed Princess."

  "Oh." She says and her whole demeanor deflates a little. Okay, she's proud of the fort. Suck it up and go inside.

  "Actually, I'd like to come inside." I say smiling as her grin returns. She gets down on her hands and knees and crawls inside. Despite my tightly fitted skirt, I follow suit, ignoring my wife who cat calls at me.

  "Oh how nice, you've got your toys in here with you." I say cheerfully.

  Paisley nods and then in the cutest possible manner, gives me a tour of the fort. Mind you this thing is maybe 10 feet by 10 feet. I ooh and ahh as she tells me all about it, then shows me the pictures she colored.
 
  "Hey girlies, dinner is almost ready." Beth calls out, pulling back a blanket on one side.

  "Mommy!" Paisley gasps.

  "Yes?" Beth replies confused.

  "You dinnit say da password." Paisley huffs and crosses her arms. I can't help but laugh.