“Which one will get us lunch the fastest?” Henry pushed Mom’s hand away. “I have some business to get to after lunch.”
“Two winning teams will be quickest.” Diana smiled to Sophie. “One of our winning teams is Trey and Chloe.”
We high fived each other. “How did someone tie us?” I leaned over to ask Chloe.
“The other team is Sophie, Mia, and Parker.” Diana cheered for Sophie, who jumped up and down.
“Chloe, what did you do?” I already knew the answer.
“Sophie’s team, please step forward for your trophy and speeches, and let everyone know your chosen prize.”
The group burst out in cheers. They weren’t so much happy that Mia and Sophie had won as they were that Henry and Mom had finally been defeated.
“Chosen prize?” Chloe asked. “Isn’t it just the trophy and bragging rights?”
“No, the winner gets whatever they want for the moment.” I pointed to Mia and Sophie. “Listen, you’ll see.”
“Aunt Mia, I never had a trophy. Can I keep it?” Sophie asked.
Mia lifted the now tired-out little girl into her arms and walked to the steps where Diana handed them their trophy. Mia whispered into Sophie’s ear, “Yes sweetheart, you get to keep it forever.”
“Speech, speech!” August and Asher chanted, until the whole family joined in.
Chapter 16
Chloe
Iwatched my baby girl proudly standing in front of the group as the winner. I was so glad I’d told Diana to make sure that if we won, that Sophie tied. I’d have to explain to Victoria later, but something told me she would be okay with it.
“Speech, speech!” Asher and August chanted until we all joined in.
“Thank you, everyone. We’re proud to be standing up here as the winners today,” Mia said. “Miss Sophie here has decided, after much thought, that she would like as her prize to play in the very big bathtub upstairs with lots of bubbles.”
“Oh, I’m jealous of that idea,” Trey pretended to pout.
“You can use the big tub after me, Dr. Trey,” Sophie smiled. “Aunt Mia, what do you and Uncle Parker want for winning?”
“Well, I want to have all my dances with Uncle Parker tonight.” Mia smiled at Parker.
“Uncle Parker, what do you want for winning?”
“I want to dance with Aunt Mia.” Parker smiled back.
“Oh, come on, are you trying to make us sick with all this mush?” Asher groaned.
”You’re just jealous, so too bad.” Mia chirped back.
“Okay,now we know what everyone wants for winning,” Diana announced, about to ring the bell.
“Wait a minute, I believe there was a tie.” Trey stood and walked to Diana. “I want my own batch of Diana’s brownies.”
“Oh, good call. I think I’ll share that with you,” I said, joining him next to Diana. “Unless of course, I get my own choice.”
“Every winner gets a choice. So, what would you like?” Diana asked. “You can still make him share the brownies though.”
“Okay, hmm, what do I want?” I looked around at all the smiling, and some pouting, faces. “I want ice cream for everyone.”
“Yay, Mummy that’s the best idea,” Sophie mumbled with her head on Mia’s shoulder. “But can we have it later after a bath?”