Once Again

I sucked in a deep breath, wrapping the tiny coats tighter around the girls and adjusting their earmuffs as the crisp Autumn wind whipped around our bare ankles.

A small mittened palm slid into each of my hands as our procession waddled out of the elementary school gates towards my faded yellow pick-up.

Livi made sure not one leaf escaped uncrushed, going through great lenghts to jump on each one. Wren stepped closer to me scrunching her tiny pink nose in disapproval.

"Ya know what Daddy. Today feels like a good day for ice cream!" Livi stated, small bun coming undone as her brown locks spiraled down her back.

"Ice cream?!" This girl amazed me. It could be below freezing and she'd still want ice cream. She nodded, blinking up at me through puppy dog eyes.

"How about we go down to the coffee shop, get some hot chocolate and visit Laila?"

At the words Laila, both girls cheered, rushing to pull at their car doors and tumble into their seats, excitedly snapping at seatbelts.

"Floor it like Nascar!" Livi cheered, sending a small fist pumping into the air. I smiled at her through the rearview mirror revving the engine, but still traveling at the speed limit.

When we came to a stop and I manuevered my piece of crap car into a vacant spot, even Wren yelled for me to hurry and open their doors. They ran across the sidewalk towards the entrance beckoning me to move faster.

"You move like an old man!" Wren groaned, rolling her eyes. I chuckled to myself as I made it to the door. When it opened, I shuddered against the warm gust of vanilla scented air.

"Laila!!" The girls chorused, crashing towards the grinning face at the cash register. Laila reached to hug them over the counter, pressing a kiss to each forehead and finally treating me to one of my own.

"Lemme guess, stopping in for hot cocoa?" She smiled as Wren bounced up and down.

"Yup. Peppermint for me, regular for Livi, and a caramel frapuh-frappic-you know the one, for Daddy."

Laila giggled as Wren stumbled over her words. She rang us up winking at me before swiping her own card and handing the girls cake pops.

"Don't even start Harry." She smirked, before I could even protest. We went to cuddle on the couch as Laila dissapeared to make our drinks, shedding our coats and opening homework folders.

I felt eyes burning into the back of my head, and turned to find a familiar set of green circles peering through the shaded booth.

"Sit still for one sec ladies." I muttered, sliding away from them. My hands grew clammy and the air was suddenly burning as I took small steps towards the ever widening set of eyes. When I was only a few feet away, she bounded out, orange scarf floating to the ground as the honey blonde head fell out of the door.

"Wait!" I cried, standing outside in the cool air again, reaching for the silver Kia peeling out of the parking lot.

Cassia.

Notes