“Sienna!” Laughter flows easily. “You have your ways but Sienna and I, let's just say some things just need a woman’s touch.”
“Is that the tag line of the show?” Killian teases. Just as he pulls away, I lean forward onto my tiptoes and press another delightful kiss to his lips.
“Don’t be late,” I say, giving him the slightest nudge out the door. “And send my love to Dante!”
“Will do!” Killian mock bows and turns to Cole, nudging at his chubby cheeks before kissing his head once, twice, then three times before he finally makes it out of the kitchen and away into the world.
Silence falls, broken only by my chopping and Cole’s content gurgles.
“We’re living the good life, aren’t we darling?” I tease at Cole, offering him a slice of banana. Cole garbles at me, a response that warms my soul and he takes the slice, immediately turning it into mush between his fingers and sucking it off with happy noises.
I turn to the coffee pot, intent on pouring myself a cup when the sing song of my phone catches my attention,
“Now, where did I–?”
Scanning the kitchen, I spot my phone already on the charging dock and a small rush of affection heats my cheeks. Killian must have brought it down earlier when I was still asleep. Grabbing the device, the screen lights up with a love you text from Killian, lunch plans with Sienna, and a few important messages about my exam results.
The group chats between me, Kimmy, and Sadie pull all my attention though and as the coffee brews, I lazily snack on some chopped fruit as I skim through the conversation I’ve missed.
“Oooo,” I read out to Cole, causing him to coo happily up at me. “Kimmy’s had another argument with her parents and needs a night out to get absolutely shi– uh… very drunk. And Sadie passed all her exams!”
Cole, oblivious, cheers happily and I grin back at him. Turning my phone on its side, I snap a quick couple of pictures of him and post them in the group chat. Immediately all talk of exam stress and parental douchebags is forgotten as my friends positively melt over the pictures, demanding when they can next see him, and am I free now?
“What do you think Cole, do you want to go see Aunty Kimmy and Aunty Sadie?”
Again Cole merely gurgles happily.
Hitting “Call”, the girls answer within seconds.
“Cara!” Kimmy squeals.
“Hiii!” Sadie yells.
“Cole, you look so adorable!”
Cole bounces in his chair at the sound of his Aunties’ voices, clapping his hands together with a yell.
“Hi!” I call, turning back to my chopped fruit and gathering all the fruit into a small plastic bowl. “Do you guys want to get some breakfast?”
“Do you have time?” Kimmy asks, “I mean I have a lot to vent about. I can’t even properly word how horriblyangryI am right now.”
“Oh Kimmy,” Sadie soothes, “parents are supposed to drive us up the wall. It’s why we love them, or something.”
“Something like that,” I retort, setting the bowl down near the sink and seeking out some plastic wrap. Maybe it’s a waste of fruit but now the idea of a Caramel Latte and hot buns is filling my mind, fruit is off the menu.
“I just need to celebrate,” Sadie adds. “I am officially… smarter than everyone else in my family.”
“I’m proud of you Sadie,” I grin, “and you too Kimmy. Look, how about we meet at our usual spot? We can get drinks, and sweet food and you can tell me all about how awful your parents are Kimmy while Sadie basks in her newfound graduation.”
“You only say it like that because you’re free from parental tyranny,” Kimmy remarks. I chuckle, It’s true. When they’re dead, they can’t rule your life.
“Trust me, once you’ve vented you’ll feel miles better. Make your mind up now though because I do have a business lunch later,” I explain.
“Ooooo,” both girls mock with love in their voices.
“Okay fine, see you there in fifteen,” Kimmy decides.
“Me too, love you bye!” Sadie declares and the call falls silent. I end on my own phone, then turn to Cole who blinks up at me with those gorgeous dark eyes, his hands splaying wide.
“Road trip?” I tease and Cole giggles heartily. Road trip.
Yes, we’re living the good life now.
About time.