Chapter Fifteen

"So, pop and Andy said I bowl way better than you," Kyle said.

"Oh really?" Horatio raised his eyebrows. "You've been lied to, I'm afraid."

Kyle had joined a bowling league with his new grandfather and uncle. Being it was just once a week Kyle was hoping his work schedule would co-operate more often than not. A bowling alley was where he was first introduced to the woman who was now his mom. It was something they all did together when they had the fare chance. Aimee hadn't actually bowled with everyone since she was four months pregnant with Hunter. He wasn't coming along on the family's next bowling trip. Hopefully he would love the sport as much as his sisters did. Both girls were very good bowlers for their ages.

Alexx offered to babysit Hunter when the family's free night was the same as her parents' salsa dancing classes.

I think it's great you all are getting out together, she said. Even if Hunter doesn't go. He is too young to enjoy it. But I haven't seen my little man in a few weeks. Horatio laughed and said he was sure that Hunter was looking forward to seeing her too.

The family combined dinner—hotdogs and fries—with their outing. After eating at the Alley diner Aimee, Horatio and Kyle started jeering each other getting ready for their game. The girls giggled.

Horatio wasn't a bad bowler But he wasn't as good as he bragged either.

Four-year-old Rachel's score was ten points higher than her father's. Horatio blamed the lack of practice, Kyle and Aimee tied. For a two-year-old Cheyenna did pretty well.

"You knew I was paying for this either way, didn't you?" Horatio teased his wife, buying everyone ice cream as his "loser" prize.

Aimee shrugged. "No. But I knew I wasn't."

The first thing Rachel said when she got through the front door was "I beat daddy's score!"

Kyle smirked, knowing his father wouldn't tell his first little girl he would get back at her, the way he would him.

Sounds like you guys had fun, Alexx said. "Hunter was an angel. He's been asleep for the past two hours. I just checked on him."

"Can we do that more, mama? Even if Hunter can't come?" Rachel asked while being tucked in. Cheyenna was already asleep in the bed next to her. "That was fun!"

"We're going to try, pumpkin," Aimee said. She enjoyed the evening too. "Do you want daddy and Kyle to come and say goodnight to you?"

Rachel nodded.