I’m so glad you’re here.” She smiles sweetly, like only my little Melody can. I’m so proud of her for not laying a guilt trip on her aunt.
May’s face melts a little. “Oh, sweetie, I’m really glad to be here, too. I think it has been too long since I got my cuddle on.”
Sammy arrives last, carrying an armload of toys. It’s a miracle he didn’t tumble down the stairs head over heels with the pile he’s got. I glare at his sisters, because they should’ve helped him out. I wasn’t there, but I know exactly what happened. They left their little brother up there to fend for himself so that they could be the first ones to hug their aunt. I have no idea why it’s such a competitive sport with them.
“Do you need some help, Sammy?” I ask.
“No. I have my toyth. I’m very thtrong.” He’s a foot away from May when he opens his arms and drops everything in a giant pile. Pieces of toys along with whole action figures scatter in all directions like shrapnel from a bomb. He walks over to his aunt and holds his hands up in expectation.
May puts Melody down and takes Sammy into an embrace. He clings to her like a baby monkey, wrapping his arms around her neck and his legs around her waist, burying his face in her chest.
Her arms wrap around him and squeeze. She closes her eyes and inhales the scent of his hair. “I missed you, Sammers. Nobody gives little boy hugs like you do.”
“My hugth are the betht, aren’t they?”
“They’re not better than mine,” says Melody, frowning at her brother.
May is too sly for their games. “Sammy, you give the best little boy hugs, and Melody, you give the best little girl hugs, and Sophie gives the best big girl hugs.”
Sophie rolls her eyes. “I knew you were going to say that.”
Attempting to head off an argument, I speak up. “Okay, kids, who’s ready to go have some dinner?”
Sammy wriggles out of May’s arms and drops to the floor, running over to grab his Spider-Man and Superman action figures. “I’m ready!” He holds them both out in flying position, Superman head first and Spider-Man butt first. Sammy has told me many times this is how Spider-Man prefers to get around, and I’m not one to argue; I really don’t know him that well.
Melody raises her hand. “Me! I’m ready!”
Sophie rolls her eyes. “Whatever.”
May reaches over and tickles Sophie’s neck, making her giggle a little. I can tell my daughter would rather not be reacting like that, but May knows her sensitive spot.
“What’s up with this whatever stuff?” May asks my oldest. “Since when are we saying whatever to each other?”
“Didn’t you hear?” I ask. “It’s the latest thing with all the big kids. And since Sophie is a big kid, she’s decided it needs to be an integral part of her vocabulary.”
“Well, if she says it when I’m here, she’s going to get it.” May gives her niece a fake stern look.
Sophie gets a sly little smile. “Whatever.”
May lunges at her, and she runs off shrieking to the kitchen.
May looks at me, pausing between the family room and the hallway. “Are we all set? Is there anything special you need me to do?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so. Their dinner’s there on the table, there’s some sorbet for dessert, and you know where to find all their stuff. They’ve already had their baths, and Sophie’s homework is done. All you have to do is have fun.” I try to sell it with a big smile.
May’s not buying it. Her expression softens. “Don’t be nervous, sweetie. You’ve got this. You know what you’re doing, and Lucky is a nice guy.”
I nod. “He is a nice guy. I’m not worried about Lucky at all. Although, honestly, May, he’s a little bit too good-looking, don’t you think?”
“I know,” she says, enthusiastically. “It’s weird, right? It blew me away when I first met him, but I don’t notice it so much anymore. The more you’re around him the less you’ll be distracted by it.”
“I hope so.”
“Hmmm, is there a little somethin’-somethin’ going on there maybe?” she asks in a suggestive tone.
I shake my head vigorously. “No way. Seriously, don’t even go there. I am not interested.”
May uses her coy voice on me next. “That’s good, because I think somebody would be a little bit disappointed if he found out you were interested in Lucky.”
My heart does