She nods almost shyly. “I was thinking… Why don’t we go stretch out on the bed tonight? The couch can’t be comfortable for you and even though it’s colder in there, I have plenty of blankets.”
“That sounds great. I’ll grab everything from the couch.”
She disappears into the bathroom, and I gather up the blanket and pillows.
Padding into her bedroom, I note that her bed is smaller than my California king but a hell of a lot bigger than the couch. I stretch out and sigh happily. So much better than the couch. And sleeping next to her, well, that will be a nice change from her squeezing into my side with us sleeping in uncomfortable positions.
I’m already starting to drift off, but I wait for her to come in. She leaves a candle on her dresser, which gives just enough light in case we need to get up in the middle of the night, but it’s still dark enough to sleep.
“Get under the covers,” she instructs, holding the blanket from the couch.
I do as I’m told, watching as she spreads the second blanket on top of the first.
“There. That should keep us warm.”
“I’ll keep you warm,” I say, holding out my arms.
She smiles and crawls into bed, sighing happily as she moves into my arms.
“Good night, West.”
“Good night, angel.”
“Mommy, I’m hungry.”
The sound of Joey’s voice rouses me, and I realize it’s light outside. Serena jumps, immediately sitting up and rubbing her eyes.
“What time is it?” she murmurs.
I reach for my phone.
Holy shit.
“Uh, 9:45,” I say in surprise. I can’t remember the last time I slept this late.
“Sorry, baby. Mommy was up late taking care of the fire.”
That’s a lie, but Joey doesn’t seem upset about anything except the fact that he’s hungry.
“Are we having oatmeal?” he asks.
“I have bagels that are going to go bad,” she says, getting up. “I’m going to see if I can toast them using a frying pan.”
“Give me two minutes to use the bathroom and I’ll help,” I say. I’m still under the covers because like every morning, I’m hard as granite. She gives me a knowing wink and ushers Joey out of the room.
True to my word, I freshen up quickly and meet her in the living room where she’s got two bagel halves face down on a frying pan that she’s holding over the low flames.
“It’s cold,” Joey says.
“We’ll make the fire hotter in a minute,” she says.
“We’re out of wood again,” I say. “Let me walk over to ask Rudy.”
“Thank you.”
I pull on my windbreaker and sneakers, and head outside.
It’s not raining or sleeting anymore, and I navigate the icy walkway that leads from Serena’s driveway to the main house. Rudy must see me coming because he meets me on the porch.