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A Great Day To Sleep In

Ivy’s phone rattled in her pocket

Hey
How are you?

‘Oh, brother. What time is it?’ She wondered. ‘After two already?’

Okay
A great day to sleep in
How are you?

She sat up to stretch. She didn’t remember going to bed. Everyone was up having a popcorn party until all hours.

Finishing some jobs
How about dinner?

That made her smile. Partly because she was hungry, but mostly because it meant she had more time to go back to sleep.

Sounds great
When/where?

She rubbed her eyes, waiting for a response.

I could bring pizza
Any allergies?

‘Here?’ She was awake now. ‘Pizza sounds great but should he really invite himself over?’

You’re silly
You don’t even know where we live

‘Take that, smartypants.’ She smiled at her phone.

If you send the address, I’ll bring enough for everyone

‘A bold strategy.’ She thought, pacing around the room. ‘Let’s see if it pans out.’ She looked at her phone and then the bedroom door.

The sound of giggling girls echoed down the hall.

“Holly, come here.” Ivy called.

Her sister trudged wearily to the doorway. Ivy handed her the phone.

“Sure, why not? I won’t say no to free pizza.” Holly yawned.

“Will Frank be okay with it?”

“Sure, he likes Ian well enough. I like meatball and green pepper.” Holly wandered away.

Frank met her on the way back to the kitchen. “Everything okay?”

“Ian’s bringing pizza.” She leaned into him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “That’s okay. Isn’t it?”

“Sure, why not? I won’t say no to free pizza.”

Holly’s face lit up. “Do you think the girls will be alright?”

“They might have nightmares for a while. We just need to be there for them.”

Holly kissed him and rested her head on his shoulder. “Thank you.”

“Hmm, what for?” He wrapped her in his arms.

“For not giving up on me.”

He held his hand up and wiggled his ring finger. “For better or worse.”

“Well, I’ll try to be better.”

“It’s a new day, Holly. Let’s just be the best we can be from now on.”

She kissed him again. “Deal.”

Kendra saw them as she walked to the fridge. “Get a room.”

“Oh, that’s how it is. Is it?” Holly laughed. “I think somebody is overdue for a tickle.”

Kendra screeched and ran away.

Holly was going to chase her, but her pocket vibrated. “Nancy? Oh, yes, she’s up. Chelsea, Lynn wants to say hi.”

“Yay!” Chelsea scampered over to her mom and took the phone. “Lynn? Yes, I can hear you. Yes, I had bad dreams, too. Oh, I’ll ask.”

“What is it, honey?” Her dad asked.

“Lynn wants to know if I can come to Sunday School with her tomorrow.”

Holly looked at Frank. “I think that’s a great idea. Is it okay with you?”

“It’s a lovely church.” Frank said. “Tell her we’ll be there, Chelsea.”

“Yes, we’ll be there. See you tomorrow, Lynn. Bye.” Chelsea handed her mom’s phone back. “She says hi.”

“It was sweet of her to call. Don’t you think so?”

“She’s my best friend.” Chelsea smiled and skipped away.

Holly put the phone back in her pocket. “We’d better get cleaned up before Ian gets here.”

Two little faces popped up over the back of the couch.

“Ian’s coming here?” Kendra asked.

“Yes, and he’s bringing pizza.” Holly side-hugged with Frank. “We’re going to get cleaned up. You guys should get dressed.”

“Oh, he’s here.” Ivy jumped up. “I’m going to help him bring in the pizza.”

“Don’t hurt yourself.” Holly laughed. “I’ll make some punch.”

Ivy hurried outside and waited for Ian to open his door. “Hey, you.”

“Hi, got you some pizza.”

“Can I give you a hand?”

“Sure, thanks.” He opened his back door and reached in for a stack of pizzas. He cocked his head quizzically when he heard her applauding. “Oh, a comedian, eh?”

She laughed as she walked over to take the pizzas from him. “It was a cheap shot, but I had to take it.”

“Oh, I see how it is.” He smiled, handing her the pizza. “Here, I’ll get the rest of them.”

“Gee, how many did you get?”

“Eight seemed like a good number.” He reached in for another stack of pizzas. “And some fruitcake for Chelsea.”

“Wow, that’s so generous. I’m just glad to see you.”

“You are?”

“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, it was my idea to go to that thing last night. I figured I’d be persona non grata.”

“It was a good idea, Ian. There’s no way anybody could have expected a whole gang of creeps to try to rob half of Wyoming Pass at the same time. Nobody blames you for that craziness.”

“That’s good news.”

“It’s easy to forgive a guy with a truck full of pizza.”

“Haha, that’s good news, too. Oh, that reminds me. I got something for you.”

“For me? Oh, what is it?” Ivy smiled.

Ian put the pizzas back down on the back seat and pulled out a small, gift wrapped package.

She put her pizzas on top of Ian’s stack and took the package. “Ooh, what can it be?”

He watched as she peeled the package open. “Do you have that one already?”

“A Slipstream PEZ? No, but now I’m going to have to collect all of The Sentinels.” She winked at him. “I hope you’re happy.”

“As long as I’m with you…” He looked at her with those slate-gray eyes.

She shivered. “We’d better get these inside while they’re still warm. Thank you for this.” She kissed him on the cheek, grabbed her stack of pizzas and dashed for the house.

“You’re welcome.” He said, as he grabbed his pizzas and kicked the door shut.

Frank greeted him at the door. “Here, I’ll take those. This is so great. Thanks for coming over.”

“Ian, welcome to our home. Thank you for the pizza.” Holly said. “Can I get you some punch?”

“Sure, that would be great, thanks.”

“Look who’s here, girls.” Ivy said.

Chelsea ran over and grabbed his leg. “Uncle Ian!”