Total pages in book: 36
Estimated words: 33995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 33995 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 170(@200wpm)___ 136(@250wpm)___ 113(@300wpm)
“Me first!”
“No, me!”
Finally, they make it to where we stand. I see that Regina’s color is heightened, and she’s breathing hard from that near brush with death.
“What’s your name?” she asks my daughter.
“Guess!” Rachel says merrily.
“Hmmmmm,” Regina says. “Is your name Bertha Belinda Barbara Bea?”
Rachel laughs, her chubby face alight.
“No?”
Rufus stands beside his sister and giggles too, shifting his weight from leg to leg.
“Hmmmm,” Regina tries again. “Could it be Carolyn Catherine Coraline Cate?”
Rachel laughs again. “No!”
“Hmmmmm,” Regina says and brings a finger to her temple as though in deep thought. “Well,” she says. “Your name couldn’t be Rachel because only amazing little girls are called Rachel.”
My daughter smiles brightly and says, “But I am Rachel!”
“Wow!” says Regina, her eyes wide with wonder. “I knew there was something special about you, but I didn’t know you were amazing! I’m so happy to meet you!”
The other kids gather around us now, clustering around Regina like magnets to a pole. The girl has none of the cookie cutter artificiality of the women who seek my attention every single day. She’s lovely, beautiful in an honest way, and most importantly, she’s good with my kids.
My heart settles a bit. Things are going to be okay. Sandy gave me our five kids, but she never wanted these special moments. The blonde bitch only wanted children because that’s what rich women do. They reproduce, and once she did her job, she was done, and I was left as a single father.
Once the short conversation is done, I step in.
“Kids, let’s do formal introductions now that all five of you are here. As you know, I’ve hired a new nanny for you.”
“I don’t need a nanny!” protests Rico.
I shoot him a swift look, and he pipes down, his face still rebellious. He reminds me of myself at that age, and I take a deep breath, reminding myself to be patient.
“Regina, this is Rico, my eldest.”
Rico nods and shuffles his feet, still looking at the floor. Regina nods graciously. “I’m pleased to meet you.”
“Likewise,” he mutters, refusing to meet her eyes. Then, I move along, resting my hand on each child’s shoulder in turn.
“This is Ronnie, my brave warrior. My little princess, Rebecca, in the pink. And you’ve already met Rachel and her twin brother is—”
Regina holds up a hand and says, “Wait! I… think… he… He looks like a Rufus!”
Rufus claps his hands with glee and Rachel looks at her in wonder.
“Wow, how did you know?” they gasp with wonder. Clearly, my youngest children are already in the pretty nanny’s thrall.
“Kids, this is Regina, your new nanny. I want all of you on your best behavior. Please make her like you so she’ll stay.”
Regina flashes another radiant smile, and my heart flops over a bit.
“I’m so excited to meet you,” she says. “We’re going to have a good time.”
The five of them shuffle from side to side a bit, the three oldest still a bit wary.
“Really?” asks Rebecca carefully. “Why, what’s your favorite color?”
“Pink,” Regina immediately replies.
Rebecca smiles.
“That’s my favorite too!” she says while twirling around on her toes, her pink dress flying out in a circle. Then, Ronnie goes into full-chivalry mode. He delivers an exaggerated bow and proclaims, “I am your humble servant, your majesty!” Regina laughs good-naturedly, and curtsies in return. It seems she’s already won over four of my children, and only the eldest, Rico, is still suspicious. But there will be time for everything. Rico’s almost a teenager, so he’s not going to buy into his new nanny just because I say so.
After the introductions, I rumble, “Alright kids, let’s show Regina her new home.”
“You said we would have breakfast,” Ronnie whines a bit.
“A brave knight like you can wait for a moment, right?” Regina asks with a smile.
He nods proudly and I grin. “Then it’s time for the grand tour.”
My words have the same effect as a starting gun and the kids leap into action, talking over each other and pulling and yanking as they try to get her attention.
“I want to show Regina the sun room!”
“I want to show her the new projector TV we got!”
“I want to show her Mr. Bear!”
I hold up a hand.
“Let’s calm down, now,” I say while shooting the beautiful nanny a wry smile. “As you can see, they all just took off in five different directions, and I’ll probably end up giving you this tour alone.”
“That’s okay,” she laughs. “I look forward to it.”
Companionably, we wander upstairs, and I’m hyperaware of her curvy form right in back of me.
“Do you cook?” I ask. She nods.
“Just the simple stuff. Fried chicken, waffles with syrup, that kind of thing.”
I smile.
“Fried chicken and waffles are enough. You’re going to be my kids’ favorite person with just those two items.”
She blushes at the comment, and her breasts rise in her t-shirt. I can’t help but look, and then tear my eyes away because it’s utterly inappropriate. I continue with the tour of the house, with my kids darting in and out periodically.