"Can Miss Elizabeth come?" Amie asked.
"School clothes shopping? I'm sure she has plans and besides, I can handle shopping. I'm Super Dad."
Amie giggled and continued eating her cereal. "When we go to Nana and Grandpa's can we swim?"
"Do you know how to swim, baby doll?"
"Mm, no. But you can teach me."
"We need to get you and Ace bathing suits if we are going to swim."
"And you."
"Right, and me." He finished his coffee and put his dish in the dishwasher. "Kiddos, I'm going to go take a shower. What do we do when we are done eating?"
"Dishwasher!" they said in unison.
"Very good. I'll be done soon."
He texted Elizabeth before he got in the shower. "Am I in over my head if I take both kids school shopping?"
"You'll be fine."
"I told them I was Super Dad so I need to be prepared. Any tips?"
"Well, I haven't taken a child school shopping before so not really. I think you will do fine. Just get them what they need and if you aren't sure of sizes, check their current clothes and match that."
"Good idea. How do I know what they need?"
"Well, for my nieces, they always send a list to my sister for supplies that will be needed. As far as clothes, check to see if their shoes still fit, if their pants are too short, that kind of thing. Just off the top…u know what, I'll call you."
She called a moment later. "Hey."
"Hey. I'm sorry, Elizabeth. Maybe I should have you come with me like Amie asked."
"You are Super Dad, remember? You'll be just fine. Are they going to public school?"
"No…does that matter?"
"Yes. Most private schools require uniforms of some sort. I would definitely check to see how to order those or what you need to get. Check your emails."
"Alright. Thanks, Elizabeth."
"You're welcome."
……
Thankfully, the private school had sent him a list that he needed white polos for each child and dark pants or a dark skirt, black or navy. They also needed to wear black or brown loafers that tied and not tennis shoes and white socks with no stripes. In addition, their backpacks or messenger bags and lunch bags also had to be plain black or blue. He liked that there were requirements. It made it easier to shop.
"But Daddy, they're boring. I want pink or purple shoes with sparkles."
"I know, baby doll, but the school says you have to wear certain things. No pink or purple shoes or sparkles."
She frowned and glared at the white polo shirts and pants. He tried not to chuckle at his daughter but he couldn't help it. She was so cute when she was frowning, and she didn't do that very often, even at her age.
"Ace, you're awfully quiet. What's going on?"
"What if I mess up when I read? Everyone is going to make fun of me."
"I hope that doesn't happen, but if it does, I hope the teacher will take care of that. Also, don't forget. We have you going to a special class to help with your reading after school. It will be easier the more you do it."
"Dad, why do I have to be different? Why can't I just be like everyone else?"
Lucas knelt in front of Ace as Amie stood there listening too.
"I want you both to hear this, alright?" They nodded. "Being yourself is what's important and differences can be good. There is nothing wrong with having trouble reading. There might be kids in your class that need to wear glasses or that speak differently or maybe they only have one parent like you or have four parents because their mom and dad got divorced and then married again. I know that it seems like its a bad thing, but I promise you, its not."
"If its good to be different, why do they make us all dress the same?" Ace asked, eyeing the polos and dark pants.
"Good question, son. Good question. I think they just want less things to distract the kids from learning. If someone came into class wearing a red clown nose and pajamas with bunny slippers, it might take away the kids attention from the stuff they are supposed to be learning."
Amie giggled and at least he got a smile out of Ace. "Come on, you two. Let's buy this stuff and then go get lunch."
"Can we get pizza?" Ace asked.
"Absolutely."
…..
Elizabeth sighed as she looked at her bank statement. Her savings was dwindling. She still had a good sized emergency fund which she didn't want to touch at all but she had less than a few thousand in her regular savings. Her car had some issues lately and she had to get them fixed. Then the dishwasher in her house started leaking and she'd had to get a plumber to come out. Each bill that popped up, took away from that money that she needed to pay for food and necessities.
She had gotten a text just last weeks from the Yosts asking her to reconsider working on their project for them. They only wanted her and were willing to wait. She thought about Nora and the fact that she wasn't having her crying fits anymore when she left her with someone. Now could be a good time to take the Yost's up on their project. It literally would pay enough to keep her afloat for months.
She picked up the phone and dialed their number. "Hello?" Mrs. Yost said.
"Hello. This is Elizabeth Thatcher from E. Thatcher Designs."
"Elizabeth! I'm so happy you called. My Ned told me to sweeten the pot so we want to tell you that we will pay you a bonus of 20% if you are willing to redecorate our main floor."
20%! That would cover another month of bills. "I accept."
"That's wonderful! Neddie, she said yes!"
Elizabeth smiled and felt her stress float off her shoulders. As a rule, she requested a fifty percent deposit of her salary when starting a job as extensive as the Yosts. Everything would be fine.
…..
The next Monday, Elizabeth was excited to see Lucas and go for coffee after class. He hadn't texted too much the last few days so she was anxious to see what was happening in his life and how shopping for the kids went. He had been so adorable calling her for advice.
She got to class the normal time but he wasn't there holding the chair next to him for her. He never showed. That made her wonder if one of the kids were sick or something.
"No class?" she texted while Molly was wrapping up.
She didn't get a response that night at all. Finally the next morning, her phone had a message.
"Sorry, Elizabeth. The kids and I are out of town at my parents house. We will be back in a few days." Well that explained it.
"Alright, have fun!"
"We are, thanks!"
"Would you like to come over to my house for dinner when you get back?"
"With the kids?"
She hesitated but then remembered that he wasn't ready to date yet. "Absolutely. It will be great to see all of you."
Lucas sighed at her response. Not going to class and then out after felt strange to him. It felt like something had been missing in his week. He missed Elizabeth. As much as he figured he wasn't ready to date with so much on his plate, he wanted to see where their friendship could go.
"Great. See you then."
"What's that look on your face, son?" Helen asked as she walked into the living room where he was sitting.
"Nothing much."
"That's not 'nothing much'. I know you, son."
The kids were with Martin in the pool so he could talk to his mom without interruption. "I miss her, Mom."
"Who? You aren't talking about Crystal…"
"Absolutely not. Elizabeth."
"The interior designer?"
"She's more than that but yes."
Helen hadn't seen Lucas struggling within himself for a long time but that's what it was.
"What is she?"
"My friend and I have so much on my plate with the kids and their difficulties and my difficulties as a single dad. I shouldn't allow myself to want more from her than friendship but that's what my heart is telling me."
"Son, why not listen to your heart? What if she's your soulmate?"
"You believe in soulmates, Mom?"
"I do but only because I was blessed enough to find mine. I will never regret marrying him and not Sam Willard."
"Sam Willard? Why do I know that name?" He thought hard. "Oh my…you were going to marry your lawyer?"
"Well, he wasn't at the time but he and your father had proposed."
"You were dating both of them?"
She sighed. "For a time, yes. Now, this isn't about me or Sam or your Dad. This is about you and your friend. Listen to your heart even if it means taking your time to see where life takes you."
"Its scary…learning to trust again. But I know I can trust her. She's great, Mom."
"I'm glad."
"So you really think I should date her?"
"If that is what you feel, yes. You deserve to be happy and if things go well, those wonderful grandchildren of mine will have a mother too."
"She has a little girl that she adopted just before I adopted Amie and Ace. She's two and a half and she calls me Daddy."
Helen chuckled. "Interesting."
"Mostly, she heard Amie call me that and we assume she thinks that's my name. Either way, she's so cute and I don't mind."
Helen patted Lucas' knee and he put his hand over hers. "Thanks for listening, Mom. For supporting me. I really needed that."
"I'm sorry I haven't done it sooner, sweetheart."
"Doesn't matter. Maybe this can be a new thing."
He stood and hugged his much shorter mother who barely came up to his shoulder. When they pulled back, her eyes were filled with tears. "I love you, Lucas."
"I love you too, Mom."
……
Three days later,
Lucas and the kids were set to come over in thirty minutes and all the toys she had picked up were scattered around the living room again. "Nora bean, why don't you help Mommy pick up your toys?"
"No. I pay."
"I know you're playing but we are having guests. Mr. Lucas and Amie and Ace are coming over."
"Daddy?"
Smartie. "Yes, he is coming so let's clean up before he gets here."
"Yay! Daddy!"
Apparently just mentioning him was all that was necessary to get Nora moving. Whatever worked, she supposed.
After they were cleaned up, Elizabeth took Nora into the master, locked the bedroom door so she would stay contained, and turned on the television to a movie she loved so she could get ready.
"Yay! Shish."
"Yes, fish."
Elizabeth straightened her hair and put on a pair of skinny jeans that made her look curvy and a fitted sweater. Next she put on mascara and shiny lip gloss.
"What do you think?" she asked, Nora.
Nora smiled and clapped her hands. "Good."
The doorbell rang shortly after so Elizabeth set Nora on the floor and followed her down the hallway toward the door.
"Here goes nothing," she muttered.
Outside the door, on her porch, Lucas muttered, "Here goes nothing."