Page 95 of The Fast Lane

“Oophf.” I groaned and pulled a pillow over my face.

“Auntie Ali,” Hallie said in a sing-songy voice. “Time for wake up.”

“Hallie-girl, what time is it?”

She rolled off me. “Daddy, what time is it?”

“Nine in the morning,” Abe said.

I groaned louder. “I don’t want to get up.”

Abe tugged on one of my feet. “That’s what you get for staying out until six in the morning.”

Ripping the pillow from my head, I glared at my brother. “I was out all night looking for your grandfather.”

“He’s your grandfather, too.”

“Nope. I have officially disowned him. You boys can have him. Good luck.” I sat up and rubbed my eyes.

“I told Theo I’d drive today. You two can sleep in the car.”

“That’s so nice of you.”

He smirked. “I know. That’s the kind of guy I am.”

Hallie tugged on my shirt. “Are you getting up now?”

“Yes, yes. I’m getting up.” I yawned and stretched my arms high. “But first, I think it’s time for tickle fingers.”

Hallie screeched and tumbled onto the far side of the bed. “No, no tickles.”

Or I think that’s what she said. She was giggling pretty hard. I crawled toward her, my hands held like claws.

“Daddy, save me,” she said through her laughter.

“You are on your own there.” With a grin, he stretched out on the other bed and watched until Hallie was limp with laughter.

I leaned down and whispered in her ear; she nodded her head so hard, her crooked ponytail bounced around. Her eyes drifted to Abe, a hand clasped on her mouth to hide her excitement.

“Ready?” I held up three fingers and counted silently. On one, we leapt off the bed and attacked.

Abe yelled and tried to scramble away but he was no match for two very motivated tickle monsters. In no time, we had him begging for us to stop in between laughs.

I flopped on the bed next to Abe, Hallie wedging her way between us. Her little hand found its way into mine. “I like having an aunt.”

“I like having a niece.”

She patted Abe’s arm. “I like having a daddy.”

Abe melted. Right there, in front of me. He turned his face away for a moment, but I saw the tears shining in his eyes. He kissed her forehead. “I like having a daughter.”

Hallie patted him on his cheek and then slid from between us. “I gotta go potty.”

“Close the door,” Abe said.

Smiling, I stared at him.

“What?”