Once getting a closer glance at us, Ronnie pauses her approach. “Why is Daddy tied up?”
He unravels the last of knots and tosses the rope to the floor. “That’s a good question. Care to answer, menace?”
“Not really,” I mutter.
“Is it ‘cause he was tryin’ to sneak a bedtime snack?”
I’m already nodding along. “Mhmm, yep. That’s plausible and much more appropriate.”
She frowns at me. “But Daddy doesn’t like bedtime snacks.”
“Good point, cupcake.”
“Depends what he’s offered to eat,” I whisper under my breath.
“I’m craving something very specific,” he replies just as quietly.
Ronnie’s lips squish in concentration. “Like what?”
“A bun in the oven.” Byron rests his arms behind his head while I get more uncomfortable in the hot seat.
It’s only then I realize I’m still astride him while carrying on a conversation with our little girl. I climb off him and sprawl out in my usual spot as of late on the king-size mattress. That leaves plenty of space between us for the innocent child who I can only hope isn’t traumatized. Ronnie leaps into the allotted space without an ounce of hesitation or mental scarring.
After getting situated on a pile of pillows, her angelic features study mine. “Why were you tying Daddy up? I want the truth.”
My lips roll between my teeth. “Gosh, those prissy pants are inquisitive tonight.”
“Frannie,” she sighs, losing her patience with my stalling techniques.
“He wasn’t listening,” I blurt.
She gasps. “Why not?”
“That’s not quite true, cupcake. I was actually listening too carefully,” Byron interjects.
Her head cocks to one side, eyes still pinned on me. “Huh?”
It appears I’m on the hook for this snafu. Might as well come clean. “Your daddy wants to put a baby in my belly. Can you believe that? It’s not like you want to be a big sister.”
But Ronnie’s expression is lit up like Christmas morning. “Oh, oh! I want a little sister. I do, I do! Please, Mommy!”
Byron’s chest is shaking with laughter. “Gosh, menace. You’re really clueless about kids. Every only child wants a sibling, especially when they’re young.”
The error in my explanation smacks me with an ignorant dose of humility. “Thanks for the words of encouragement, Daddy.”
His eyes heat on me as if he wants to give me more than his chocolate smolder for dessert. “Whenever you’re ready, baby.”
Which reminds Ronnie what’s at stake. “Let’s tie up Mommy and put my little sister in her tummy!”
My stomach clenches and I slip beneath the comforter for protection. “Um, no. That’s not how it works.”
Byron’s smirk is the definition of smug. “You did this to yourself.”
Ronnie rips off the covers I’ve buried myself under. “How do we get a baby in there?”
My arm slides across my middle as if that will divert her plans to get me pregnant. “I’m not sure. Let’s discuss it in the morning.”
Her pinched expression looks like she wants to argue. “I’m not gonna forget.”