“You havemorenews?”
“Not news, exactly.” Ted shrugs. “More of a…proposition.”
“A proposal,” Joyce echoes, staring at meintently.
My brows shoot up. “Gotta say, you two are really starting to freakmeout.”
“Jesus, Ted, now she thinks we’re going to suggest some kind of weirdIndecent Proposalarrangement.” Joyce snorts. “No. We don’t want to have a threesome with you… We want you to be our nanny. Full time. For all three kids. Once the baby comes, I won’t be able to do it all — juggling the law practice and also being a good Mom. I love my kids to pieces but… I also love my job. This would be an idealsolution.”
My mouth falls open. I can’t think of a thing to say except, “Are you sure? I mean… I’ve never been a nanny. I’d never even been a babysitter, until I met you guys, and that was more of an accident than an intentionalcareermove…”
Ted laughs. “Sorry about that. My fault, for commandeering you againstyourwill.”
“Look, Lila…” Joyce grabs my hands in hers. “We don’t care that you don’t have a long childcare resume. The twins adore you.Weadore you. It’s like you’re already part of thefamily.”
My stomachclenches.
Ted clears his throat. “We know you’re losing your apartment. We have a back bedroom — it’s nothing fancy but, if you want it, it’s yours should you accept the position. You and Fenway are more than welcome once we fix it upabit.”
“You want me to live with you?” I can’t help the incredulity inmytone.
“We hate that we’re losing you as our neighbor.” Ted frowns. “But I have to tell you, we broke the news to the twins today… and they’re absolutely heartsickoverit.”
My heartpangs.
“But… I’m just a babysitter,” Imurmur.
“Not to them,” Joyce interjects. “To them, you’reirreplaceable.”
“A big sister,” Ted adds, almost as anafterthought.
A bigsister.
My eyes start to sting at the thought ofmebeing anyone’s big sister.Anyone’sMimi.
“We haven’t known you for that long, but we really do think of you asfamily,Lila.”
My throat feels alarminglytight.
“Oh, no. Did we freak you out? Come on too strong?” Joyce wrings her hands. “Ted, I told you we should’ve invited her over for dinner instead of ambushing her. People are much more receptive when you ply them withcarbohydrates.”
I laugh. “No, no, you didn’t scare me. Though I never turn down dinnerrolls.”
“Me neither,” Tedconcurs.
“I’m so happy for you guys. And I’m so honored you’d ask me to be part of your home… part of yourfamily.But—”
“You need time to think about it,” Tedguesses.
“Just promise you’ll consider it.” Joyce’s eyes are so hopeful. “Please.”
“I will absolutely think about it.” I stare from husband to wife. “Thankyou.”
“Trust us — we’re the ones who should bethankingyou.”
With another round of hugs and a promise to call when I make a decision, I usher my sleepy pup toward the front door. My mind is churning over the proposition as I walk out onto the stoop, Fenway’s doggie bag slung over my shoulder and his leash coiled around my left wrist. I close their wrought-iron gate with a low squealing sound and peer into the dark night. Luca’s truck is idling halfway down the block — I head for it in a daze, still lost in thought as I pass myfrontdoor.
Former front door, I correct.Come Mondaymorning.