Stars Dancing [Dreams-To-Lovers Romance]

"Alright, you two, run as fast as you can to the swing set. First one to touch the pole gets a magic kiss!" I called after Joey and Mal who ran screaming across the park as expected.

Joey touched the pole first but didn't bother to look around for the kiss I blew him 'coz he was already grabbing a swing and pulling himself in. The twins were just tall enough to get on by themselves and push off with their legs.

They'd be four next month, and I had yet to discuss with their probably-not-mafia-boss mom what the plans were for their birthday. If it was anything like last year: nothing. Heartbreaking, really. With that sobering thought, I put away my fatigue and jogged over to start pushing them higher.

Not long after, our friends Rhoda and her little boy Filly joined us, smiles on their faces. I gave her a quick hug and asked how she was doing, but Rhoda had already started prattling about their morning and how much fun they'd had eating breakfast at the new pancake place in town and how many flavors of syrup they had on the tables.

Apparently, sugar-loaded syrup and mug after mug of coffee was all Rhoda needed to get more pep in her step than I could handle. Woooo doggie was she talking a mile a minute today.

When my tummy started rumbling, I laid out the picnic blanket and unpacked the cooler, passing around sandwiches, bananas, and little containers of blueberries. The kids had water bottles with lids on them, so everyone was all set. We had the picnic lunch in the park routine down, and it always made everyone happy, but they didn't know about the little treat I'd hidden in the bottom of the cooler.

"I want the pink one!" Joey complained. Again. And cue the response:

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"Pink is mine. Purple is yours," his sister declared. Again.

How long would it go on today? I winked at Rhoda because she knew what I was planning.

"Last time you said we could take turns. You cheat. You always cheat. Cheater cheater doo doo eater."

I snorted a laugh as Filly screeched, "Doo doo eater," and Rhoda collapsed in giggles next to me.

Oh god, where did he learn that one? Cripes! Surely they didn't know about my poem?! No way. No freaking waaaaaaay.

"Joey, uh, that's an interesting new thing you're saying. Who did you hear it from?" I queried in my overly innocent voice.

"Night Nick sang it when we went to bed last night."

My stomach fell outta my body and onto the blanket.

"Oh, I love Night Nick! He's the best nanny of the bunch!" I encouraged.

"Night Nick loves singing. Brush, brush, brush your teeth, gently up and down! Merrily, merrily, merrily merrily, life is like a clown!" Mal sang to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat."

"And he sang you a new bedtime song last night?"

Joey cackled, and Mal let out a shrill squeal.

"You're a frog!" Joey screamed.

"Eat my poo!" Mal sang out.

Holy shit balls and turds a plenty, their night nanny had sung them my stupid comedy poem. NO FUCKING WAY.

Rhoda was doubled over holding her sides, oblivious to my inner turmoil, and Filly jumped up and down screeching, "Eat my poo! Eat my poo!"

Oh for gods' sakes, what had happened to my life?! I decided to go with it and joined them in ridiculous laughter. Lord, though, that poem had some choice cuss words in it. Surely Nick didn't sing all that, did he?

"How'd the rest of the song go, guys?"

"Fella named Shoe, fella named Shoe," the twins sang out, but that was all I got outta them. Oh well, the fight over the napkin color was forgotten, so problem solved. Since no one was arguing over cloth napkins, I pulled out the dessert and passed it around: oatmeal chocolate chip cookies I'd picked up from the coffee shop on my way to the twins house that morning.

Not long after, we packed up to head home for nap time, and Rhoda gave me a hug whispering, "Let's go for an adult beverage soon, eh?" I nodded and hugged her back.

While the kids were sleeping, I pulled out my pad so I could see the stats from the Poetry Contest, and boy oh boy did I have a shock waiting for me!