Reggie picked AJ, Miranda and Spike up from school. Gabby was already in the back with Ian.

"Are we seeing mom today?" Miranda asked, after calling shotgun and climbing in the front seat beside Reggie.

"No. Your momma and Aunty Kendall are visiting tonight but she's just out of surgery and we want to give her time to recover. I thought instead we can do something fun…"

…

Reggie had all the kids around the kitchen table as he explained about Valentine 's Day and the giving of a card to someone you love best.

"Rrrr-eggie," asked Gabby, remembering her R's. "Can I make one for my mommies?"

"Or course you can."

"I'm going to make one for our mommies too." said Miranda, picking a pink sheet of card.

"Me too." agreed AJ.

"Me too!" echoed Ian.

"You've only got one mommy!" protested Gabby.

"Can I make two cards?" asked Spike.

"Of course bud." said Reggie, wondering who besides him mom Spike wanted to give a Valentine to; his dad perhaps?

…

In the end six completed cards sat on the window ledge waiting for the paint and glue to dry. Reggie's next job was to clear up the glitter and paint from table and floor; hands and, in Ian's case, faces.

When the paint was dry the next job was to write in the cards. Miranda, Spike and AJ filled out their own while Ian and Gabby dictated what they wanted their cards to say.

Gabby's said simply "I love my mommies the best!"

Ian's was simpler still, "Mommy I love you!"

Then he got them to sign them with kisses. Gabby almost filled all the rest of the inside of her card with X's.

Spike put his first card to one side and began to fill out his second one just as carefully.

"Reggie?" asked Miranda, "Do we give our mommies their cards tonight?"

"You have to wait for the day after tomorrow when it's Valentine's day." explained Reggie.

"Oh yes," said Spike, "Because Mom and Griff are going away that night aren't they? And we are going to stay with Erica and Uncle Jack!"

"That's right." said Reggie.

Ian frowned,

"Shouldn't mommy be with us on Valentine's day if she loves us?" Ian asked. He had been in an unusually talkative mood all day.

Reggie wasn't sure how to answer that. Miranda saved him the awkwardness.

"Silly…" said Miranda, "Everyone knows that morning is for family love and night time is for grown up love."

"Yeah." said AJ nodding knowingly. "Your Mom and Griffin will be going on a super romantic all night date!"

Ian pouted.

"Mommy loves me at night too." He said defensively, "She tells me every time she kisses me goodnight!"

"I'm sure she does." said Reggie patting the little boy on the shoulder. "Look, talking of mommies, Marissa and Kendal will be home soon and we don't want to spoil the surprise; so how about we hide the cards somewhere safe and you can give them to them on Valentine's Day?"

"Okay."

Spike looked up at Reggie.

"Should I hide mine in my school bag?"

"That sounds like a great idea buddy." said Reggie, "Maybe you could keep Ian's one safe as well?"

The little boy nodded and hopped off his chair to find his backpack in the hall.

Reggie watched him go, still not sure who the other card was for.

…