Chapter 213

"Let's book flights for tomorrow and head back," Debra said. "We've been here long enough."

Stacey nodded. "Sure."

"Oh, and ask Hayden when he's leaving," Debra added. "Maybe we can travel together."

Stacey hesitated. "He's probably going straight to Strico."

Debra sighed. "True."

"I'll ask him anyway," Stacey said, grabbing her phone. She texted Hayden: "Going back tomorrow?"

Hayden, mid-bathroom routine, saw the notification. He’d expected this. He replied: "Planning to go back tomorrow too, but need a Strico stop first. Jeremy’s making a fuss, wants to see you. Gotta calm him down."

Stacey smiled. She replied: "I've missed Jeremy too!"

Hayden: "I'll bring him to see you next time."

Stacey: "When's his surgery? I'd like to be there."

Hayden: "In twenty days, in Menterra."

Stacey understood. Menterra's medical tech was top-notch. She texted: "Okay, I'll come a day early, and we can all go together."

Hayden: "Sounds good."

Stacey lingered over the messages, a mix of hope and worry for Jeremy. She decided to pray for him when she got home. She finally showered.

Halfway through, Lillian and Kevin burst in. "Mommy! Mommy!"

Stacey sighed, a familiar sound. "I'm in the shower," she called.

"But we're done! Bedtime story!" Lillian demanded.

"Me too!" Kevin chimed in.

The bathroom door creaked under their insistent pushing.

"How much longer?" Lillian whined.

"Almost done," Stacey replied, finishing quickly.

Once she opened the door, Lillian and Kevin clung to her.

"Forever!" Lillian complained.

"Ages!" Kevin added seriously.

Stacey tucked them in, grabbed a storybook, and read. Unusually, they fell asleep after one story. Relieved, Stacey went to bed.

A nightmare jolted her awake. It was Kevin, a miniature boulder, atop her. Lillian soon joined the party. There was no going back to sleep.

"Mommy, get dressed!" Lillian chirped, already reaching for her clothes.

Kevin scrambled for his. Stacey dressed herself, then the children, their small hands fumbling with their clothes.

"Comb our hair!" Kevin insisted.

Even though Kevin's hair was short, Stacey pretended to comb both their hair, earning happy smiles.