What The Heart Wants

Chapter Two

Chapter Two

After getting the milk and magazine, we head back to Penny's place. When we get back, Ms. Mason leaves to see her friend and we eat dinner. Soon after, I get the kids ready for bed because of the slight jet lag the kids got from the flight. I take the twins up to get ready for bed, while Penny fills the dishwasher.

When they're done brushing their teeth and changing into their pajamas, they get into the queen sized bed and pull the covers over themselves. It's a game we play where I try to find them when I come into the room.

"Now where did Daniel and Sofia go? I just saw them in here." I pretend to look around for them around the room.

"Oh well, looks like they're gone. I'm much too tired to look for them. I guess I'll just lie down on the bed for a rest." I lie down on their legs and hear them giggle, then shush each other.

"Wait a second! This bed is really lumpy! What's under here?" I start tickling and grabbing their sides. They start to screech.

"I know why this bed is so lumpy! Because...Dan and Fia are under here!" I say as I rip off the blanket from their heads. They scream out laughing and I continue to tickle them now that they're not covered. I start to laugh too. They soon start a tickle fight with me and I get too tired to fight back.

"Okay I give! I give! Mercy!" I have tears streaming down my face from all the laughing.

"Do you really?" Dan asks with glee.

"Yes! What can I do to prove it to you, you're highness and majesty?" I put my hands up in surrender and bow my head to them. Daniel looks at Sofia and Sofia looks at him.

"Sing us 'Bush' until we fall asleep!" They yell together. I get up from the bed and curtsy.

"As you wish monsieur and madam." They both jump back in the blanket and I turn all the lights out, except a small night light.

Once they're settled I start to sing;

I love you a bushel and a peck
A bushel and a peck and a hug around the neck
A hug around the neck and a barrel and a heap
A barrel and a heap and I'm talkin' in my sleep...

I continue to sing softly until I see their eyes get sleepy. I get softer and quieter until they are sleeping deeply. I start to hum softly while I put the blanket more securely. I kiss Sofia's forehead first. When I get to Daniel, I hear him mumble, "I love you too mommy.".

I leave them sleeping soundly and go downstairs. I get the magazine out of the bag on the kitchen counter and sit across from Penny who is drinking a glass of red wine on the kitchen island. I try not to judge her too much. She knows my views about alcohol. But I don't have the energy to get into that discussion and I'll need all the energy I have. I still haven't told her about my revelation in the store yet. But before I can open my mouth, she starts.

"I know I ask you this every time we talk...But I have to ask again. Are you alright? Truly?" She gives me a concerned look. It's true, she always asks me this and I always do my best to assure her that I'm fine. She seems like a hard-ass to most but really she's a huge softie on the inside. I grab her hand from across the kitchen island.

"Penny, I'm fine. More than fine actually. I'm in London! It's a dream come true! And it's all thanks to you." I squeeze her hand. Most people think that friendships can't last as long as our did and sometimes I can't believe it either. But I'm thankful it did.

"It was nothing! You know you can tell me anything right?" Penny gets up and sits next to me. She rubs my shoulder, starting to look worried. I give her an assuring hug.