"Sleepovers"

It's finally Sunday, my first day off this wonderful week. Today I'm supposed to meet Georgia and Eleanor. Axel is off running errands so it's just Beau and me.

He keeps to himself most of the time and that's okay. We don't have a connection like Axe and I do. As I'm getting ready for the day my phone alerts me that I have a message.

'It's almost time.' Another message from my mother. The messages are so weird. Almost time for what? I didn't end up telling Madz that she's been messaging me.

Madz seemed off last night. He wasn't mean or upset with me, he just seemed a little sad. I didn't ask him what was wrong because I can tell he didn't want to talk about it.

"Beau, I'm about to walk to the diner and meet up with the girls. Are you ready to go?" He gives me a thumbs up and we lock up the doors.

We walk to the diner and it's a super nice day. The leaves are turning red and yellow and there is a chill in the air. I love this time of year. I dislike summer because it is way too hot.

As we near the restaurant I start to feel like someone is watching me. I look around and I don't see anyone but that doesn't mean anything after what happened to me.

"Beau, do you see anyone around? I feel like I'm being watched." That gets him to stop and look around. I see his hand reach towards his gun and I let out a gasp.

"Beau, I don't think you need that. It's daylight. I don't think anyone is going to attack us right now. I just felt like someone was around." I let out in a whisper.

"You never know. Walk in front of me until we get to Tess's. Then I'll sit in a booth on my own. I have my own work to do on my laptop anyways." I nod my head and we get going again.

We get in front of Tess's diner and I can see the girls waiting for me inside. Eleanor spots me first and she starts to wave at me with a wide smile. She comes running to the door.

"Hi Nova! Hey, are you ready to have lunch with us? Tess has the best chicken nuggets. She also has really good chocolate milk. Do you like chocolate milk?" She runs through questions at super speed.

Georgia chuckles at her and grabs Eleanor's shoulder. "Sweetheart, slow down. Tess just got here and you are asking so many questions at once. Give her a minute to settle."

"Well okay." Eleanor huffs and starts heading towards a booth.

"That's her special spot. She is out of the sunlight and can still see out of the window." Georgia tells me. "We've been coming here since she was a baby so I think she knows her way around her just as well as Tess.

We all fit inside the booth with Eleanor making me sit with her. Tess comes up with the menus and places them on the table. "Well look at this. All my favorite ladies at one table."

This makes me smile. This small town is really sweet and once they get to know you everyone just pulls you into the fold. "Hi Tess. Can I have some of your special chocolate milk please?"

Eleanor starts to place her order before I can even look at the menu. I remembered Madz order was perfect last time. "Tess, do you sell all day breakfast?"

"We sure do honey. Do you want what you had last time? Same amount?" I nod my head and she looks to Georgia. "And you mama G?"

"Ill just take a sweet tea and a bagel. I already ate a big breakfast this morning so I don't need much." With that Tess closes her notebook and walks into the kitchen area.

"So how are you and Madz doing? He called me this morning and told me what he did for your birthday. I'm so glad he did that." Georgia seems to swoon over her son.

"It was wonderful. He had lights, a picnic dinner and we even got to feed a raccoon." As I say 'raccoon' Eleanor shouts.

"A raccoon? I love them. They are trash goblins. That's what Uncle Tiny calls them. They have such a cute little nose and I want one as a pet." Georgia lets out a chuckle.

"I don't think we will have one of those Eleanor. They are wild animals." Eleanor lays her head down on the table and mumbles.

"But I don't have any pets at all. All my friends at school do." Then an idea comes to my mind.

"Eleanor, you wanna know something." She turns her head and peaks out with one eye. "I've got a new kitten. Madz found her and we named her Shortcake."

That gets all her attention. She lifts her head right up and opens her mouth to speak. "Oh. My. Goodness. You have a whole kitten! When can I meet her? Grandma, is it okay if I go meet Nova's kitten please. I'll even clean my room."

Georgia shakes her head with a smile. "That's up to Nova. You have to see what she say's." I have today and tomorrow off since we are closed Sunday and Mondays.

"How about this? Uncle Madz will be off later today. You can come home with me and we can bake and maybe even have a sleepover if you'd like." Eleanor squeals in delight.

"Oh yes yes yes. Please may I stay the night Grandma?" She gives her grandma the biggest puppy dog eyes I've ever seen. She's so sweet.

"As long as it's okay with Nova and your uncle Madz doesn't mind. I don't mind if you sleep over tonight but I need you to listen and be good for Nova and Madz okay?" She crawls under the table and hugs Georgia.

"I don't think Madz will mind at all. He's been missing you a lot Eleanor. I think he would love to spend some time with him. Let me send him a message really quickly." I pull out my phone and shoot off a text.

'Eleanor is going to stay at our place tonight. Can you grab some popcorn and chocolate milk before you come home please.' I received a reply instantly like he was already in our chat.

'Of course. I can't wait to see my lovely ladies. See you soon. I love you.' With that done I place my phone back into my bag. "Uncle Madz is okay with a sleepover and he's going to go to the store and grab popcorn and chocolate milk for us."

"Yes!" Eleanor cheers. "This is going to be the best sleepover ever. Ill get to see a kitten and hang out with you!" That does it for me. I lean over and give her a little hug.

Eleanor jumps right in and hugs me back. As she pulls away Tess comes over with our food and sets it in front of us. "Here you ladies go. Do you need anything else?"

We all shake our heads no and dig in. Eleanor has a plate full of dinosaur chicken nuggets and french fries. "See, I told you she has the best nuggets."

She then places a nugget on my plate and I laugh. I guess I'm having breakfast and a little lunch together. We chat about how work has been this week and what we will watch tonight.

After we all finish up our food. We ask Tess for the check. "It's been covered already." Georgia looks at me with a smile. Then it hits me. Madz. He must have heard Beau pay when we weren't paying attention.

Eleanor finishes up her chocolate milk and gets up to hug her grandmother goodbye. "Remember what I said Eleanor. Listen."

"You know I'm always good." Eleanor says with a roll of her eyes. Georgia walks over and gives me a hug as well.

"Thanks for letting her stay. You'll have a hard time getting rid of her after this." I laugh knowing how true this is. Georgia tells Tess and Beau goodbye and leaves out the door.

"Are you ready to head to my house? Shortcake will be so excited to have a new friend to play with. She wears me out." Eleanor takes my hand and we walk over to Beau.

"Ready to go ladies?" We smile and nod our heads.

We start to walk back to my place and Eleanor just chats the whole time. She doesn't even give me a chance to reply to anything she says. So I just smile.

We finally got to my place. It took us a little longer than it did going from my place to the diner. With little legs and a yapping child slowing us down but I don't mind at all.

"You girls go ahead and head up stairs. I'll stay down here and wait for Madz." Beau heads back to my office and I assume he's going to get back to work.

"Are you ready to meet Shortcake, Eleanor?" Eleanor nods her head so much that I get dizzy. "Then let's go." I take her hand and we walk up the steps. My new life is amazing.