Today was the 2nd day in a row it has been down pouring. The kids were going crazy inside, yesterday they watched movies most the day, today they were playing games and trying to be creative.
Eddie was in the office reading over a case she was very invested in, Jamie was taking a nap on the couch after working overtime late last night.
"Hey mom." Alaina stumbled into the office and walked around.
"What's up?" Eddie asked observing her look of needing something.
"Nothing." She lied.
"Whatever you say…" Eddie said leaving her have to say whatever it was herself.
"Are we doing anything tonight?" She asked after a couple moments of silence. Eddie looked up from the desk.
"Not that I know of…why? Did you have something in mind?" She wondered.
"Well…I was talking to…do you think…huh." She was all nervous.
"Lainey." Eddie couldn't help but laugh at her.
"Would I be allowed to go out with a friend."
"2 questions, who's the friend and where?" Eddie asked closing the file giving Alaina her full attention.
"The movies and…Cade." She was shy all of a sudden.
"Cade!?" Eddie was shocked at a boys name.
"Sh!" Alaina pursed her lips.
"What!? Why is it a secret?" Eddie asked whispering now.
"I don't want dad to hear." She said.
"Oh, that's funny you think you could get away with that one." Eddie laughed at her.
"So I can't go."
"Who said that?
"Dads not gonna let me."
"Did you ask him?" Eddie questioned cocking her head.
"Huh no…"
"Then I guess you don't know." She reminded.
"Do you think he will?"
"We'll talk about it together and go from there okay?"
"Okay. Well I'll ask him when he wakes up I guess."
"If that's what you want to do, go for it." She supported. She didn't know if it was better that way or not.
——
An hour had went by, Eddie was in the kitchen making lunch for everyone, Jamie woke up to her banging around.
Alaina didn't take long to ask about going on a "date" tonight.
"Um I don't think so." Eddie heard him say from the kitchen.
"But I thought you liked him?!" Alaina countered.
"I know, but you're only 14, sorry honey it's a no." He told her. Eddie turned around to see that was the end of the conversation. Alaina was crushed you could see it in her face.
"Lunch is ready." She called out for all the kids. They came running from all directions and grabbed a plate.
Jamie made eyes with Eddie, but hers didn't match his mood. He was calm, and she was pissed at him. Maybe she should've asked for Alaina like she thought in the first place. It's like she knew deep down that's what he'd say, she could've saved her the heartbreak.
"Upstairs." She told Jamie quietly so none of the kids heard. He was confused but followed her up to their bedroom.
"Something wrong?"
"Um do you know how much courage and patience it took Alaina to come ask you about going out tonight!?" She blew up.
"She's 14!" He argued.
"That doesn't matter!? They just want to see a movie! There not going away for the weekend!" She said being smart.
"She's too young to be dating, I'm protecting her."
"You're controlling her. This is when kids rebel! Hello!" She called him out. He shook his head, maybe she was right.
"Whatever. You win. She can go." He said frustrated and started to leave the room.
"This isn't about winning or losing! This is about coming to terms with the fact that, Alaina is growing up, she's interested in boys-"
"No no no, stop." Jamie couldn't hear it.
"Shes becoming a young women." Eddie blurted out.
"I'm not ready for that."
"Ready or not…" Eddie shook her head. Jamie was thinking and not saying anything.
"She's struggling with friends Jamie. The fact this boy likes her and wants to be with her is huge, it's a good feeling. She's going to high school this year…" Eddie said calmly.
"I know." He sat down on there bed.
"I know it's hard watching your little girl grow up and do this stuff. It's hard for me too, but we can't keep them on a leash forever. We have to let them go, become their own person." She rubbed back and forth from shoulder blade to shoulder blade.
"You're right, I just hate it." He said and got up.
"I know. But I love you." She told him with a quick kiss before following him back downstairs.
"Alaina tell Cade you can go tonight, I'll be dropping you off and I expect a proper introduction." Jamie said playing mr. hard ass. Her face lit up with excitement and she got on the phone to tell him.