NANNY FOR MENDES.

Hundred-two

𝓐 𝓶𝓸𝓷𝓽𝓱 𝓵𝓪𝓽𝓮𝓻...

"Hey, Mom." I answer the phone.

"Soph, baby. Look. I think I'm gonna go to France this week, to visit our family there."

"Okay..."

"Get your stuff ready, then. I'll book the tickets and call you."

"Okay, Mom."

And I hang up.

Mmmm.... I miss my family. But... I don't know that I wanna leave. What about Shawn and Bear? And Aaliyah and Noah? I sigh. I can't really say no, too, because I haven't seen my family in so long. Except for Julien.

I know Mom was planning this for about a month now, but I don't think I'll ever be ready for it. I'll feel bad about leaving Bear and Shawn. How long will I be in France? Who will feed and take care of them while I'm away?

A click sound from the door tells me Shawn is home. It's 10:00; Bear slept an hour ago. Shawn called a couple of hours ago, saying he'd stay late. I think it has something to do with the new branch of his business in Spain.

"Babe!"

"In the living room!"

He walks inside. I stand up and meet him in the living room. I kiss him, then say, "I missed you."

"Me, too."

"Go get changed. I'll reheat our food."

"You didn't eat?"

"Nope. Was waiting for you."

"I don't deserve you."

"Nor do I." I shrug and go get out food ready.

Five minutes later, Shawn comes to the kitchen, just as I'm putting our plates on the table.

"Mac and Cheese?"

"Bear wanted to eat it."

"It's one of his favorites."

"I know."

"Of course you do. You're his mother."

I smile, then say, "eat, Mendes."

"Yes, Ma'am."

"How's Noah? And Aaliyah?"

"They're great. Aaliyah moved in with Noah."

"Oh. That's good. He'll be around her all the time. Great for her and the baby."

"Yup."

"When will she know the sex of the baby?"

"The doctor says in her fourth month, I think."

I nod. "How far along is she?"

"About three months."

"Still a month."

"Yeah.... When did Bear go to bed?"

"At around 9:00."

He nods.

"By the way... I might be going to France this week."

He stops his fork in front of his mouth, and puts it down.

"Oh."

"Yeah...."

"For how long?"

"I don't know."

"With your mom?"

"Yeah."

"Okay."

"I know I have to stay here for you and Bear, but I can't say no. It's been years since I've last seen them, Shawn. I'm sorry, but—"