“So do you,” Hazel pointed out.
Hawk came in. “I can handle it.”
“Not all of them at once,” Hazel said. “Adrienne will be here in a few minutes, and she’ll be able to help you for most of the night.” She crossed her arms. “Why don’t I start getting ready, Ian, and then you can take a turn when I’m ready, or when Adrienne shows up, whichever comes first.”
“Sounds like a plan.” Ian had already kicked off his shoes, and with Jack in his arms, made a running slide down the hallway, to the sounds of squeals and giggles.
“I’m not cleaning up any blood tonight!” Hazel yelled behind her.
Nearly two hours later, the kids were all settled in the video room with their sitter and uncle, and Ian and Hazel were out the door wearing a tux and an evening gown respectively. Hazel shifted her hips, feeling a bit odd to be wearing something so slinky and not at all momish, but that was her life, shifting between roles constantly.
“Don’t be nervous,” Ian said as he opened the car door for her.
“What’s to be nervous about?” Hazel rolled her eyes. “Big speech in front of big-name donors? Receiving an award for human rights work that’s never been given to someone under thirty before?”
Ian slid into the seat beside her and took her hand. “Head up, back straight, mouths smirked. We do this together.”
“Here we go,” Hazel said. She gave him a kiss and rested her head on his shoulder. “Partners.”
THE END