I love it when Bill works close to home. Inevitably, he needs a tool, so he runs back home to pick it up. I'm the benefactor and opportunist, so I wait as he rushes back out the door and steals a kiss goodbye for the second time that day.
He had to return home today while I was away running errands. Life 360, the ever-present tracking system we pay for, let me know he was home while I was away.
"Drats. I missed him," I thought to myself.
It would be only another hour or so before he'd be home for lunch—no big deal. I would continue about my day and wait—not much longer.
He gave me my customary "Honey, I'm home" kiss when he returned for lunch. I teasingly lamented, "I was so sad to learn you came home when I wasn't here. I missed my bonus kiss of the day."
He kissed me again and hugged me a little tighter.
I'm the firstborn in my family. I excel at pestering younger brothers, which works out well for me because Bill is the youngest in his family.
I continued teasing after the kiss, "It's not the same. That's like getting the cookies you already paid for."
I should not have said that while he was holding on. He tickled me mercilessly, teasing back, "What do you mean, 'paid for?' repeating himself over and over again until I called, "Uncle."
Slowly backing away, I quipped, "Oh, I paid for these kisses," and then quickly put a counter between us to avoid more tickling.
He gave me that typical younger brother look to let me know we were just getting started. Then, he played coy and asked, "Where did you go, anyway? When I walked in, Solly (6) met me and said, 'Mom left us all alone. I think she went to Mom's Night Out.'"
It was ten in the morning, and his older sisters were put in charge. 🙄 Cute, kid.
We laughed a lot about that and then enjoyed lunch and a rousing game of cribbage. I whooped him definitively, and that brought him right to the point where he had to head back to work, so he leaned over and kissed me again.
I smiled and said slowly, "Cookies."
Checkmate. He would be late if he "engaged the enemy" at this point.
He smiled back, locked eyes with me, and playfully said, "This isn't over." Then, he walked out the door to his truck.
I expect it, Mr. Liebich. 😄
I may have won the battle, but the youngest child always wins the war. Am I right? If I were a betting woman, I'd put money on Bill tonight. 😂
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