FULL CIRCLE

Chapter 57

Miles was roused from his peaceful slumber when he felt the bed shaking and for a moment he wondered if there was an earthquake. Slowly opening one eye, he noticed a pair of small bare feet precariously close to his head. Somehow Mikayla had gotten out of her bedroom and into his without him being the wiser. "I knew I should have locked the door," he said and sighed.

"Hey, Kid, quit jumping up and down, okay. I don't need you giving me another headache," he said.

With her next bounce she landed on her bottom and crawled over to him giggling. "Wake up time," she said happily.

Miles looked at the alarm clock and groaned. "It's only 6:00. Go back to bed," he told her.

"Not sleepy," she replied, giggling.

"Okay, okay," Miles gave in. "Do you wake your parents up this way?"

"No. Daddy spank."

"Yeah. I bet he would," Miles commented.

She regarded him for a moment. "How come you have Daddy's jammies?"

"Because I didn't have any of my own," he replied patiently.

"Why?"

"Because I didn't plan on spending the night."

"Why?"

"You're full of questions, aren't you?" Miles asked and yawned. "I am going back to sleep. You are on your own." He rolled over to bury his face in his pillow.

Mikayla thought for a moment and then snuggled up next to him. That peaceful respite lasted only a short while before she was trying to get him out of bed again. "Come on and play wif me," wheedled.

"Go away, pest," Miles said, his voice muffled by the pillow.

"No," she said firmly.

"Go away," Miles repeated. He was trying his best to ignore her when suddenly his phone rang. "Now what?" A quick check of the caller ID showed it was from Natalie. "Nat, do you have any idea of the time?"

"I'm sorry, Miles. Did I wake you?" she asked apologetically.

"Unfortunately, no. I was already awakened by a three-year-old pest who wanted me to play with her," he answered.

"Your sister?" Natalie asked.

"Who else would it be?" Miles asked in response and yawned. "I was too tired to drive back to the hotel so I just spent the night at home. I didn't think you wanted to get another phone call."

"I didn't particularly want to. But when I didn't hear from you and you weren't at the hotel, I got a little concerned," Natalie admitted.

"I went to give Mikayla a birthday present and talk to my dad. It was late when we finally finished so I just stayed here," he explained.

"Sounds like you're having an interesting time," Natalie commented.

"Oh yeah, it's been interesting. Mikayla thinks I'm her best birthday present and she wants to play with me," Miles answered.

Natalie could help but laugh at his comment. "Want to get some lunch later?" she asked.

He listened to her laughter and asked, "And you find this amusing?"

"I'm sorry but I got a very funny mental image of you with a ribbon and bows. I think I woke myself up too early," Natalie replied.

"I'll meet you around noon, okay. I have someplace to be this
morning," Miles answered.

"Okay. I'll see you then," Natalie replied. She lay back down relieved that Miles was okay.

Miles regarded the little girl for a moment. "Okay, pest. You win. I could use some coffee anyway."