Chapter 188: Stacy — I let go (3)

"You can't say that to her," I reprimanded my fiance, hugging Evan from behind and kissing him on the cheek. "Hi Evan," I probed gently, squeezing him before taking the seat between Evan and Scott. "Look what I got," I said, pulling my newly acquired edition of Where's Waldo out of my handbag.

Did Evan being a savant remind Collette too much of me? Is that why she ignored the hell out of my brother? Whatever her reasoning, it pissed me the hell off.

"She doesn't know what it means. Double snacks at your play date with Evan tomorrow if you don't tell dad I said a bad word," Scott bartered as Milly giggled and squirmed from his tickles.

"I don't, but my best friend has an iPad. Evan, what does it mean?" said Milly, regaining her composure before she turned to Evan again.

"I'm on it. According to Urban Dictionary, the saying means—" said a very serious Evan, always ready to learn something new.

I gave Scott a pointed look. He made a grab for the iPad, set it down in front of him, then grabbed Milly out of her chair and put her in his lap.

"Okay then, time for today's Where's Waldo. Evan vs Stacy. Contestants, get ready. Ready Mills?" said Scott, handing Milly the iPad as I moved my chair to sit closer to Evan and present him with the children's book.

How much longer would this trick work? Evan loved Where's Waldo. It never failed to cheer him up. That was why I had a little collection going now. He lost interest in them the moment we found Waldo. Obviously, he could never look at the same edition twice, as it no longer posed a challenge to him. Photographic memory and all. That was why I kept them back at the cottage. As a little reminder of Friday night dinners with the kids.

"How come we never play?" Milly asked, looking up at Scott.

She really did adore him. It warmed my heart to see him with her every time. I was glad he had a relationship with her now.

"Because they're crazy smart and it's annoying playing with them. Besides, why look for Waldo when we can just cheat and have the internet do it for us? Ready to make Google find Waldo?" Scott said to Milly.

"Yes. Go team Evan. Edition number, please," said Milly sweetly, all too happy to return Scott's conspiratorial look.

"Thanks Milly," said Evan, cracking a small smile for her, before sharpening his gaze and turning it on me. "Let's do this."

"Bring the heat, kid," I said, handing Milly the book so she could get the edition number to type it into the iPad before giving it back to me.

Scott found a website that listed all the locations to find Waldo in any given edition. It was just for fun. So he could include Milly in my game with Evan.

It made me happy to see Evan's mood improve. So much so, I was distracted and he won the first round.

"Found him," he said, pointing out his location to me.

"It's on now," I said competitively.

We relayed the locations to Scott and Milly on every page for confirmation. Milly loved all things involving Evan, so she got a kick out of it. Scott and Milly also kept score for us.

"Judges, the score please," I said smugly, even though I knew Evan didn't need to be told he won as I closed the book.

"Yes, let's hear the score," said an equally smug Evan, smirking as he stared me down.

"Contestants, stand by for the results," said Scott, making a show of it, his silly voice and gestures making us all laugh. "Mills, tell them who won."

"Evan wins. Go team Evan," Milly cheered, throwing her hands in the air, then her face fell and she gave me an apologetic look. "Sorry Stacy. It was just one point."

"That's okay, angel. I'll get him next time," I said to her, flashing her a smile for how cute she was.

"A win is a win. Well played," said Evan, the little shit holding out his hand for me to shake.

I was about to shake his hand when Evan threw his arms around my waist suddenly, squeezing me with all his might. An affectionate warmth washed over me as I stroked his hair, wrapping my arms around him. Scott smiled at me dotingly as I welled up. I was so stupid emotional today.

"I want a hug. Why does she get one and I don't?" said Milly, tugging on Scott's sleeve.

This observation promptly had Evan withdrawing and picking up his menu to hide his reddening cheeks.

"Everybody gets a hug," said Scott, wrapping his arms around Milly to give her a squeeze before putting her on his back.

With her arms wrapped around his neck, he got up and walked over to Evan, sharing another conspiratorial look with Milly. She gave him a nod and Scott picked Evan up.

"I don't like this. Put me down," Evan protested.

"Milly wants a hug first, don't you Milly?" Scott insisted.

"Yes please," said Milly shyly.

"Don't make me come and get you too. Get over here," said Scott, looking at me as he had one seven year old clinging to his back and another protesting heavily in his arms.

"I demand to be released as my prize. Also, we want dessert before dinner," Evan declared, becoming Milly's hero, who instantly cheered.

"Well that's not happening," said Jeff's voice, as he came up to the table and took Milly off Scott's back. "Dinner first," he said sharply.

The happy interaction before me despite the five star restaurant Scott had picked made the tears flow. I loved how unfazed he was. How he put their needs first. He balanced Evan against his side and kissed his cheek. The latter frowned.

"Ew. That's gross," Evan complained, wiping his cheek.

"Penance for being a little prick. Think about this next time you're mean to Milly," said Scott threateningly.

They narrowed their eyes at each other and I laughed, a tear slipping down my cheek.

"Excuse me. Long day," I said, getting up from the table so I could get it together.

As I walked away, the sound of Scott's voice hit my ears and I turned around to watch them from a distance. He was amazing with them. He was going to be a great father.