Invisible String

28

He looked skeptical. “You? Strict?”

I nodded, dead serious. “You’re looking at future no-nonsense PTA mom Taylor Swift-Kelce.”

He burst out laughing. “Please let me record that. I need it saved for when you cave after one pouty face.”

I gave Mira a little squeeze. “You hear that? We’ve got them fooled.”

She unlatches with a sleepy little sigh, milk-drunk and happy, and I kiss the top of her head.

“Team Mom always wins,” I whispered.

Lily let out this high-pitched scream-laugh combo that echoed off the pool walls, her little arms flailing before she slammed them down into the water with a dramatic splash. It hit all three of us—me, Travis, and even poor Mira, who blinked like she couldn’t believe her sister had the nerve.

“Okay,” I said, wiping water off my face and glancing at Travis, who was laughing and pretending to shield himself. “I think that was the official signal that swim time is over.”

Travis nodded, scooping Lily up as she giggled in his arms. “You calling the shots now, Lil?”

She grinned and threw her arms around his neck, clearly pleased with the chaos she’d caused.

I adjusted Mira on my hip, giving her a soft towel-dry with one of the fluffy ones we’d left by the edge. “Well, at least someone had fun.”

“She always does,” Travis said, walking beside me toward the towels with Lily hanging off of him like a koala.

We all climbed out, the air cool against our wet skin as I wrapped Mira up snug and kissed her temple. Lily was already asking about snacks and whether we could watch a movie, her energy somehow still at a hundred even after all the swimming.

I looked at Travis with a smirk. “Let me guess—you're gonna ‘accidentally’ fall asleep during movie time?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said, completely unconvincing.

I laughed, handing him Mira so I could wrap a towel around myself. “Sure you don’t.”

I smiled down at Lily, her cheeks still rosy from the splash fight. “Come on, Lily, we’ll dry your hair, and then it’s nap time for everyone.”

She giggled, skipping alongside me as I grabbed a soft towel. “But I’m not sleepy!”

“Trust me,” I said with a knowing smile, “you’ll feel a lot better after a little rest.”

Travis caught up to us, carrying Mira who was already half asleep in his arms. “Naps sound perfect right about now,” he said with a grin.

I ruffled Lily’s wet hair gently. “Alright, let’s get you cozy first.”

I wrapped Lily in the towel, drying her hair as she leaned into me, still giggling. Mira stirred a little in Travis’s arms, eyes fluttering closed.

“Okay, team nap,” Travis announced, grinning as he settled onto the couch with Mira cradled against his chest.

I carried Lily to her room, tucking her under her favorite blanket. She yawned and smiled up at me. “Thanks, Mom.”

I kissed her forehead softly. “Anytime, sweetheart.”

As I turned to leave, I heard her murmur, “I love you.”

The warmth in my chest was so strong, I almost forgot how tired I was. Back in the living room, Travis and Mira were already peaceful. I sank into the couch beside them, letting the quiet wash over me.