Chapter 11

CHAPTER11

“Done with your homework?” Reese asked, throwing her a curious look as he watched her walk through the back door.

“Had to get a tutor,” Mikey said as she made her way to the kitchen table and began making the rounds, kissing each of her brothers, retrieving plastic spoons thrown onto the floor, refilling sippy cups, and obediently tickling Thomas’s tiny foot when he wiggled his toes in silent demand.

“Sebastian?” her mother asked as Mikey dropped down in her chair as she took in the lovely dinner that her mother made tonight, noting that she’d made all her favorites and-

“God, I’m starving,” Jonathan said, sighing heavily as he dropped down on the chair next to her, only to follow that up with, “What do we have here?” as he reached for the bowl of spaghetti and meatballs.

“Why are you here?” Mikey asked, blinking at the boy who seemed to go out of his way to annoy the hell out of her.

“Ensuring that you don’t have to go through the anguish of missing me,” Jonathan said, grabbing several slices of Italian bread and buttering them before handing a slice to Toby.

“That’s very considerate of you,” her mother murmured as her lips twitched.

“I know,” Jonathan said as he dug into his food.

“Didn’t you just eat?” Mikey couldn’t help but point out.

Blinking, Jonathan said, “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Nodding, Mikey said, “Alright then,” as she shifted her attention back to her plate and-

“Uncle Garret sent the forms,” her mother said, making everything in her go still.

“Oh, yeah?” Mikey said, clearing her throat as she reached for the meatballs.

“I was thinking that after you sign them that we could make it official with a party,” her mother said as Mikey forced herself to nod.

“What forms?” Jonathan asked as he reached over and stole the bowl of meatballs from her.

“Mikey’s adoption papers to officially make her a Bradford,” Reese said with a warm smile, making her swallow hard as the meatloaf that she just ate turned over in her stomach.

“You’re going to be a Bradford?” Jonathan asked, sounding genuinely surprised.

“Just as soon as she signs the papers,” Reese said, shooting her a wink that had her lips pulling up into a weak smile.

“Before I forget, you have a doctor’s appointment after school tomorrow, so try not to get in trouble,” her mother said, making Mikey realize why they were having spaghetti and meatballs tonight.

“Didn’t you just have a doctor’s appointment?” Jonathan asked with a satisfied sigh as he helped himself to the bowl of spaghetti.

“Well, I have another one,” Mikey said as she reached for another slice of Italian bread so that she could have something to keep her hands busy.

“What for?” Jonathan asked as he reached over and plucked the bread out of her hand and took a bite.

“Have you always been this nosey?” Mikey asked, even though she was tempted to tell her mother that she didn’t need a doctor’s appointment, but…

She didn’t want her to worry.