“Where’s the happy couple?”
“I sent them off to have a picnic. They haven’t had a minute to themselves all day so I thought it would be good.” Plus I want my pigheaded husband to get use to the kids being alone together.
“Does your husband know?”
“He sure does, that’s part of the plan. The more he sees that he can trust Todd the easier it will be for him to cut the apron strings.” Or so I hope.
“Oh by the way thanks for sending the plane to pick us up Cierra, it took hours off of what would’ve been an otherwise horrendous trip. We love travelling in the RVs but with so many babies it was bound to be a nightmare.”
Now I’m confused. Didn’t Danielle just ask me if this was a surprise for Cierra? So why is Kelly… I didn’t say anything though because Cierra’s only response was you’re welcome. Then she looked around the room as if searching for something before getting to her feet. “I’ll be right back, bathroom run again.”
Mom rushed to help her up because she looked like she wouldn’t make it on her own. Did her stomach drop since this morning? She looked a bit… hmm.
CATALINA
I saw aunt Cierra coming and got my words ready. I knew she would find out soon anyway once daddy and the uncles got the truth out of me. I didn’t mean to play a trick on her but I had to get them all here fast.
It was fun in the beginning putting all the pieces together but now I’m getting scared. The man took me before and nobody knows where he is now. I don’t know if it’s the same one, Lily and Nia don’t think so, but I can’t be sure.
I didn’t mention to daddy that I’m afraid though, because then he won’t even let me go into the backyard alone again. He’d done that the last time and I hated it. This time Caitie’s the one in trouble and I don’t want my sister to be scared like I was so I’ll do anything even if it makes everybody mad for a while.
“Hi aunty Cierra do you like your surprise?”
“Surprise?”
“Uh-huh, I knew uncle Hank was worried about you travelling to uncle Law’s house in the car so I got everyone to come here instead. I didn’t want aunty Ariel and aunty Kelly to drive all the way here though because it might not be good for the babies so I asked you to help. Don’t you remember?”
“I…was I in bed when you asked me for help?”
“Uh-huh!”
“Some federal agent I am.” She muttered the words under her breath but I heard them as she turned to leave the living room where I was sitting watching TV. When she reached the door she turned and looked back at me. She looks just like daddy does when he’s trying to figure out something I’d said.
She was probably wondering why uncle Hank would worry about her driving to uncle Law’s ranch when they have their plane here. But I’m eight, maybe I’m confused. I gave her my best smile and turned back to the TV.
I breathed again once she was gone and got down from the couch. I need to get Aiden’s drone, his is the best. Mommy and daddy don’t know but he did something to it that makes it work better, it can go even further and you can see more.
If I use it maybe I can see over the neighborhood where the IP address is. Google maps is no help for this. It was Nia’s idea to use the drone but she has no idea how hard it is to get my hands on that thing. I have to come up with something. Or maybe I can get daddy to buy me one.
Nope, not now he won’t, he’s probably mad that I tricked him again but he’s not showing it because the uncles are here. Daddy doesn’t like to embarrass us in front of other people because he knows it makes us sad, but as soon as they’re gone I know I’m in for it.
Oh well, it’s for Caitie and even if daddy grounds me it won’t be forever. I know, I’ll wait until the BBQ when everyone’s busy and then I’ll sneak into the twins’ room and get the drone.
If I had something on them they’d have to let me have it, but they don’t let me anywhere near them when they’re up to stuff anymore because I always make them do stuff so I won’t tell mommy and daddy.
Drats! I can’t use what they did to the drone against them because I need it. Maybe Lily and Nia might have an idea, I’ll go see if they’re online.
TODD
“It’s time we started heading back.” I was laying on the blanket with my arms folded beneath my head as she laid with her head on my stomach. We’d barely touched the fruit and cheese her mom had packed for us, choosing instead to spend our time necking.