The Wanted Short Stories (Wanted 5.5)

“That’s awesome, Mom. Hey, not to cut right to the chase ’cause you know I love hearing about how you and Dad are doing in the garden. Yes, I was being facetious, Mom.”

Josh winked at me and motioned for me to follow him. We walked out into the living room and both sat down next to the kids. Libby handed me a block, and when I placed it on top of hers, she clapped.

“Heather and I have been invited to a dinner and ball in Austin on Saturday night. I’d love to be able to take Heather.” Josh smiled and gave me a thumbs-up. “Mom, you’re the best. We owe you and Dad big time. Right. Yes, I’ll tell her. Hold on. Lib and Will, y’all want to say hi to Grammy?”

Libby’s eyes lit up as she jumped up quickly and then sat in Josh’s lap. “Gammy! Gammy, I wuv you!”

Josh smiled and nodded his head as he pointed to Libby talking to Elizabeth on the phone. “If Mom had said no, I was gonna pull out the big guns.”

I covered my mouth and laughed.

Will and Libby each talked to Elizabeth and Greg for a few minutes.

“Okay, Mom. I’ll give you more details as I get them. I love you, too.”

Josh hit End, and we high-fived each other.

I called Jessie back, and as soon as she answered, I said, “We’re in!”

“Perfect! It’s at the W Austin Hotel. Dinner starts at six, and the ball immediately follows it. I guess we’ll just meet y’all there?”

“Sounds like a plan.”

“See you then, sweets!”

I hung up and ran upstairs.

“Where are you going?” Josh called out.

I stopped and turned back to look at Josh. “I need to see if I have a dress. If not, I’m going shopping tomorrow.”

Libby jumped up and ran toward me. “I want to dwess up, too, Mommy!”

I reached down for her and picked her up. We made our way upstairs and into the master bedroom. I set Libby down in my closet, and I began looking at my dresses.

I smiled when I saw the white dress bag. “Oh, Libby! Mommy has the perfect dress!”

Libby clapped her hands. Then, she began putting on my shoes, and she attempted to walk around in them. I hung the dress up on the hook and unzipped the bag.

When I saw the red chiffon backless dress, I smiled. I had bought it a few months ago when Ari, Ellie, Jessie, and I had gone shopping in Austin. Ari thought a girl could never have too many sexy evening gowns, and she was right.

Josh was going to die when he saw me in this number.

I looked down at Libby and said, “Daddy is going to love this. The high slit comes all the way up to the top of my thigh.”

I jumped up and down, causing Libby to do the same.

She reached for the dress and said, “Me!”

“No, not this one, baby girl.”

I turned and grabbed a white sweater. I slipped it over her head, and she wobbled to the mirror in my high-heel shoes.

She looked in the mirror. “Oh…so pwetty!”

I laughed. “Yes, you are.” I zipped the dress bag back up and walked over to Libby. “Want to show, Daddy?”

She smiled big and nodded her head. I picked her up and took the shoes off her feet. I carried them as we made our way downstairs. Josh was in the twins’ bedroom, getting Will ready for bed. When we walked into the room, I slipped the shoes on Libby’s feet and then set her down.