“Mummy, Aunt Mia said we can go get a snack as soon as you get dressed.” Sophie said, standing on a chair looking out the windows. “I’m very, very hungry, so could we go, please?”
“Hold on, let me throw on my trekkie and we can go.” I looked to Mia. “Do we have time?”
“Yeah, we could just ask Rebecca to bring something up, but this little one has the go bug so I thought we would just run down and pillage the pantry.” Mia tapped Sophie on the shoulder and pointed for her to get on her back. “Free ride, ma’am.
I watched Mia running around the room with Sophie bouncing and laughing. I hadn’t realized just how much I’d been missing her until now. I was not looking forward to going home.
“Okay, let’s go find some snacks. Party food isn’t as yummy as snacks.” I pulled open the door and walked right into Rebecca.
“Sorry Miss. I was about to knock to see if you needed help getting ready,” Rebecca smiled. “You were going somewhere. Can I go for you?”
“First, please call me Chloe, and second, wiggle worm here wants to go get her own snack.” I hesitated, then hurried on when she looked upset. “I made a little mess in the bathroom if you want to fix it up, though.”
“Of course, I’ll do it right away, and make the bed again.” Rebecca entered the room. “Would you like me to turn down the blankets and have a bedtime snack ready for you after the charity ball?”
“Moo juice and biscuits,” Sophie chimed in with her opinion. “Mummy likes tea, though.”
“I will have it ready. Will you be joining the family at the hospital, or coming back before them?” Rebecca asked.
“I don’t want to go to the hospital, Mummy.” Sophie hid her face in Mia’s hair. “Can we just come back here to the big bed?”
“I’m not sure what’s happening this evening just yet.” I looked to Mia for help.
“Rebecca, I’ll send you a text when we’re heading back.” Mia nodded. “Chloe, give Rebecca your cell number and she’ll check in with you later.”
“Now, let’s go get food.” Mia took off down the hallway.
Chapter 19
Trey
Two hours later, I was showered and dressed in a pair of tan linen pants and a white button-up shirt with my hair combed perfectly. I’d been chomping at the bit to see Chloe again. My cell went off. Looking down, I saw It was the hospital.
“Hey Betty, which patient?” I asked, then relaxed.
“Dr. Hawthorne, all your little ones are fine. Bethany has a tiny fever tonight, but you warned us about that,” Betty stated matter-of-fact. “I called because you told me to give you a head count so you knew how many baskets to bring tonight.”
“As always, Betty, what would I do without you?” I pulled up my notes app. “Go ahead, how many? And how many are boys and girls?”
“Six girls and four boys on our floor, but there are five more boys in the hospital and three girls,” Betty went on. “I think we should make sure they all get one.”
“Yes, of course. What can I bring you?” I asked as usual, knowing she would say nothing.
“I don’t need anything. You just have a good time tonight,” Betty said. “I better not see you in here before at least midnight.”
“Yes ma’am.” I hung up as I hit the top of the stairs walking.
I wandered down to find most of the family were already in the sitting room. Well, the men anyways. Diana was fluttering about helping Mom load the treats for the kids at the charity tonight. Asher and August were watching YouTube videos on an iPad. Dad was reading a medical journal.
“Where is everyone? Usually it’s only Murphy we’re waiting on,” I said from the doorway, glancing around and hoping to see Chloe. “Did Parker and Mia leave yet?”
“No, Parker is out back on the phone,” Asher said. “Ha, not “the” Outback, just our out back.”
August high-fived him for the joke.
“Oh good, Trey, I have another request of you in the name of charity,” Mom said, passing treats from the table to Diana to load in boxes. “Will you help me make lots of money and give everyone some fun tonight?”
“Sure, why not, Mom,” I said, suspiciously feeling like I was about to be tricked again. “You know I’m a sucker for charity events. What do you need me to do for you, since I know you’re going to do something special for me too.”