Only One Regret (Only One 5)

"The plane had mechanical issues and we should be landing at around six, but I have to get the girls at daycare. I would call Julianne but then I won’t be able to see them until next Monday since she is taking them to visit her parents." He stops talking. "Do you think you can get them?"

"Of course." Looking over at the clock and seeing that it’s almost four, I say, "I’ll get them at daycare and then do you want me to bring them to my house?"

"No," he says, and I can hear his voice is tired. "Just go to my house, it’ll be easier."

"This better not be a fucking trick and I get there and there are one hundred boxes to unload," I joke, and he laughs.

"This is not a trick," he confirms. "And I thought with the party being this weekend you would be in a better mood."

"I’m not going to lie." I smirk. "I’m so excited. I just got off the phone with the party planner."

"You hired a party planner?" he shrieks.

"Cooper, what kind of an animal do you think I am?" I say, shocked. "Of course I hired a party planner," I scoff out. "And it’s going to be fabulous, you won’t have to do anything except get dressed and drink tequilla with me."

"I’m not drinking that shit," he hisses. "Okay, we are getting back on the plane. Go get my car and leave yours."

"Okay, I’ll leave so I’m not late," I say, getting up. "Fly safe." I hang up the phone and grab my jacket, walking out of my office.

"Shauna," I state while I slip my jacket on. "I have to head out. Which means you get to head out also." She claps her hands. "I’ll see you tomorrow."

"TGIF," she says, and I hold up my hand and wave at her. The sound of my heels click the floor as I walk out toward my car. The pink pencil skirt gives very little leg room to climb into the SUV, and I wonder if I should go home and change before I get the girls. But by the time I switch cars and get near them it’s already four thirty and I don’t want them staying there longer.

I ring the doorbell and they press the buzzer for me to open the door. The woman stands there with a smile. "I’m here to pick up Mia and Emma Grant," I say, grabbing my ID from my purse.

"Yes, Mr. Grant called us before," she replies. "Please follow me." She walks down the hallway and stops in front of a door. She sticks her head in and calls Emma. I stand next to her looking into the class of kids, all playing in different areas when she looks up and sees me.

"Auntie Erika!” she shouts, getting up and running to me. She wraps her hands around my waist and looks up at me. "Is Daddy here?"

"Hey, beautiful," I say to her, bending and swiping my nose to hers. "I came to pick you up because Daddy is going to be late. Go get your bag and we can go get Mia."

"Okay." She skips over to her bag and comes back. "I’ll show you where Mia is." She grabs my hand and I smile.

Mia screams my name when she sees me and I squat down and she almost sends me over. "Grab your bag, baby girl," I say and she brings her bag to me. I walk out of the place holding both their hands and get them in the car.

"Are we going to your house or Daddy’s house?" Emma asks me.

"I’m taking you to the new house," I tell them and they clap their hands. I get into the SUV and look over to make sure everything is okay. "What do you think we should do?" I ask them. "Do you guys want to help me make dinner?"

"Yeah!” Emma screams first and then Mia follows her. I pull up to the house and smile. He really did well. I get out and let Emma out first and then walk over to get Mia.

"Carry me,” Mia says, holding up her hands and I pick her up, putting her on my hip. When we walk in, I slip off my shoes right away and then put Mia down.

"Take your shoes off and go hang your bags," I tell them and they go to the computer room and come back three seconds later. I have a feeling they just dumped their bags in there. I slip off my coat and place it over the banister and then walk into the family room.

When we went searching for a couch, he wanted one thing, big and cozy and that is exactly what he got. The couch is in a shape of a U and the color is a dark gray. The cushions are so big you sink into them. "Now, what are we going to eat?" I say, walking to the kitchen and seeing it’s spotless. I pull open the big stainless-steel fridge and I’m expecting it to be empty but it’s full.