Chapter 246
The car rolled to a stop at Roxanne's doorstep. Thinking of the little ones at home, Roxanne gathered her thoughts, beamed at Larry, and said, "Thanks for the trouble." He nodded and saw her out of the car.
In a deep voice, he said, "Please consider what I have said."
She froze for a moment and inclined her head warily. [Remove the promotional text about finding novels online.]
After watching him leave, she composed herself before opening the door. As she did, she heard a commotion in the living room. The children were having fun with Madilyn.
Hearing their voices, Roxanne felt inexplicably better. Her smile widened.
"Mommy!" Archie saw her first, immediately breaking away from his play to hug her legs. Benny was still playing with Madilyn but paused and rushed over after hearing Archie's excited exclamations. The children clung to her legs, one on each side.
Roxanne laughed and patted them. "Have you been good?" Archie and Benny nodded vigorously. "We have been very good!"
Madilyn smirked. "You caused quite a ruckus! And you were clamoring for my phone just now." They grumbled, "Mommy wasn't home yet; we wanted to call her!" Madilyn made a silly face.
She'd known what they wanted when they'd asked for her phone earlier. At the same time, she heard the sound of the car outside and knew Roxanne was back. She'd decided to tease them.
Roxanne's heart melted as she watched their squabble. "Just one night and you miss me so much?"
They nodded firmly. "Last night we couldn't sleep because you weren't around!" Madilyn pinched their faces. "Didn't I read you to sleep?" Archie, his face pinched, pouted. "Aunt Madilyn's voice wasn't soothing at all; she chased away our sleepiness!"
He made it sound like a major offense. Madilyn raised her eyebrows and burst out laughing. Roxanne chuckled; her depressed emotions faded.
They bantered for a while, then Roxanne grinned at Madilyn. "I can't thank you enough for the past two days. They must have been naughty." This was especially true when they were with Madilyn; even Archie, usually calm, became more lively.
Madilyn glared playfully. "What's with the formality? I'm their godmother; taking care of them is natural, right? I secretly love kidnapping them home, too!" Archie and Benny solemnly shook their heads. "Even if you kidnapped us, we'd find our way home!" She lightly smacked their foreheads. "As expected of your sons, they're just as witty." The two children held her hands innocently. "But we'll take good care of you, too. Aunt Madilyn is the second-best in the world!" It was clear who was the best.
Roxanne's smile widened. As night fell, she suggested, "Let's eat out tonight! What would you like?" Benny raised his arm. "BBQ!" Despite being raised overseas, Archie and Benny loved it after Madilyn had taken them a few times. Roxanne smiled and agreed, taking the three of them out for a meal.