"Hey Ace, I just got called in to work and Odette won't be home for a few more hours – is there any way I can drop Emma off to you on my way in? And then she can just stay if you wanted her to" Logan asked over the phone.
"Of course, Logan, that's no problem at all. I love impromptu Emma time" I said with a smile.
"I know you do, and I was hoping you'd say that, because we're already currently sitting outside your building in the parking lot" he said with a relieved laugh.
"Goofball, come on in, I'm here" I said, and hung up the phone.
Logan and Emma walked in the door and she immediately ran straight to me for a hug. "Hi, Mommy!" she said happily.
"Thank you so much, Ace, you're SUCH a lifesaver! All hell broke loose at the office and I'm apparently the only one competent enough to attempt to fix it" he said with a laugh.
"No problem, Logan" I said with a smile. "Hey, sweetheart! Did you have fun with daddy?" I asked Emma, and she started telling me about her night and day.
"Thank you" Logan mouthed to me, and I nodded as he walked out the door.
"Nona and Papa Huntzberger brought me back presents from vacation and then daddy took me to get some new clothes today!" she said, modeling her new outfit.
"That's great! Did you pick it out or did daddy?" I asked.
"I picked it out for the most part, but Daddy helped a little" she said.
"Well you both did a good job" I said with a smile as she did a little twirl.
"How about we have a movie night tonight? We can get in our jammies early, order in some take out and see what's on on" I suggested.
"Yes! I love movie nights with you, Mommy!" she exclaimed, jumping up and down.
"Alright, you start looking through the movies, but don't buy any until we agree!" I said sternly. "And I'll be right back."
"Okay, Mommy!" she said as I walked to the other room.
"Mommy? Your phone's ringing!" Emma called a moment later, running to me with my phone.
I walked out of my room in my pajamas. "Thanks!" I said, taking the phone from her, and I was surprised to see who was calling.
"Well, hello, Finn. Finally join the ranks of the living today?" I teased of his scotch consumption last night.
"Uncle Finn!?" Emma asked, and I put my finger to my lips to shush her.
"Hello, Darling. Just calling to check on you and see how you were feeling" he said.
"I feel great, actually" I said.
"Oh so you're a bloody liar today, Love?" he teased.
I laughed, too. "No, not at all. I just slept in until noon, but otherwise I've been good to go all day" I said.
"Lucky girl. I'm getting old, I suppose. Can't drink quite as frequently as I could before. I've never heard of such depressing news in my life" he said with a laugh.
"Oh, I guess that means you'll just have to learn to adapt to civilization like the rest of us had to" I teased.
"Yes, but what does one who's a part of civilization do on a Saturday night that doesn't include scotch?" he asked curiously.
"Well, I don't know about everyone else, but Emma and I are about to order take out and have a movie night in our jammies. That's about as normal as one can get" I said with a laugh.
"And you just eat, and watch movies? Together?" he asked.
"Basically, yeah. Are you telling me you've never had a movie night before?" I asked in surprise.
"Well, I mean, I've HAD 'movie nights', but I was always one of the stars of said movie, and they were NEVER appropriate for children" he teased.
I shook my head and laughed. "Ohhhh, Finn" I said in disbelief.
"Hey! I'm pretty sure that's exactly what they all said, too" he teased.
"You're a real piece of work, you know that?" I teased back.
"Can I talk to Uncle Finn, please?" Emma asked.
"Oh, hold on, someone's dying to say hi" I said, putting it on speaker.
"Hi Uncle Finn! I miss you!" she said.
"Aww, there's my little Love! I miss you too, Emma. I heard you're going to have a fun night with your mum?" he asked.
"Yeah! It's a movie night! I love movie nights with mommy!" she said.
"What movies are you going to watch?" he asked.
"We haven't picked yet. You could come over and watch them with us! We can wait for you!" she said.
"Oh, uh, I don't know, Em… It's a Saturday night, I'm pretty sure Uncle Finn's always busy on Saturday nights" I said.
"Well, actually, I happen to be free as a bird tonight for the first time in ages. I'd love to come, but I'd hate to impose" he said.
"Come on over, then, Finn. You're always welcome. I can't guarantee you'll like the movie choice, but the food will be good and the company will be even better" I promised.
"Yay!" Emma exclaimed.
"I know you're right about that! I'll head on over. Pajamas, you say?" he asked.
"APPROPRIATE pajamas, Finn" I insisted with a laugh.
"Of course, what do you take me for, Love?" he teased.
"See you soon, Uncle Finn! I love you, bye!" Emma said, and then ran off into her room, looking for her favorite pajamas.
"She certainly is smitten with you" I said in surprise. I'd never actually seen them interact much.
"All the ladies eventually are" he teased.
"I don't know, I think I'm going to have to call your bluff" I protested.
"Give it your best shot, but in the meantime, I'll be there soon, with my APPROPRIATE pajamas" he said with a laugh.
"Bye, Finn" I said with a giggle and then we hung up. Knowing how fancy the guy can get, and expecting him to haul his butt over in designer silk pajamas or something, I went back to my room and chose a cuter set. I asked myself why it mattered, but I shrugged it off.