Mona giggles, her laughter light and infectious as I tickle her stomach. These father-daughter moments are precious to me, a reprieve from the chaos of life. But even now, as I soak in the joy of her happiness, I find myself missing my husband. It's ridiculous, really—it's only been a few hours since I last saw him.
"Mr. Husband," a familiar voice chirps, breaking through my thoughts. I look up to find Mona standing before me, her twin brother Rhett lingering just behind her, looking sheepish. Mona grins mischievously, the spitting image of her other father in her more devious moments.
"To what do I owe the pleasure?" I ask, leaning back into the garden chair. Mimi is nestled comfortably in my lap, her tiny hands clutching at my shirt as she dozes.
"I'm here to cash in my payment for babysitting," Mona declares with all the confidence of a seasoned negotiator.
"And what's the cost?" I inquire, already suspecting I won't like the answer.
