Part 8 (1/2)
Emma picked up her phone when it buzzed again: Think about it. If you let me get a dog, we won't have to name our son King.
Emma rolled her eyes. For some reason, Addison wanted a dog. Emma could not begin to imagine why.
If you bring home a dog, the only thing you'll be naming is the car you'll be sleeping in.
Addison picked up her phone and laughed. ”I do miss you, Em.”
Chapter Five.
One Week Later ”Hey,” Addison called across the hallway. Sandra turned and smiled. ”Hey, Brody!” Addison crouched down to the toddler.
”He's a little restless,” Sandra commented.
Addison laughed. ”Oh, I don't know anything about that.”
”So? Emma's expecting again, I hear,” Sandra replied.
Addison picked up Brody and beamed. ”Yep.”
”Too bad you're so miserable about it,” Sandra laughed.
Addison shrugged while Brody played with her ponytail. ”Yeah, well, I was surprised it happened so quickly to tell you the truth. But, it's good. Emma didn't want the kids to be too far apart in age. This one will be more than three years younger than Vicki. I doubt she'll want to wait all that long the next time.”
”The next time?”
Addison laughed. ”Well, I know she'd like three. Which is strange. I hate the idea of a middle kid, but she was one of three, and I guess she kind of liked it that way,” Addison explained. Sandra nodded. ”Hey, listen, I know you are b.u.mmed about Em not being on board with this project.”
”I'd be lying if I said I hadn't hoped she would be,” Sandra admitted.
”Me too,” Addison said.
”Sounds like you two have other projects that are more important.”
”True. I miss having her here, though.”
Sandra nodded. Brody began to fidget, and Addison placed him back on the floor. ”I swear, if he gets any faster I'll need a race car just to keep up. He takes after Dan. I've never moved that much in my life. Well, unless there was a snake nearby-or maybe a spider.”
Addison chuckled. She could relate. Brody was a year younger than Vicki and had only recently found his feet. Addison thought better of warning Sandra that his speed would only increase when he found his center of gravity. Vicki was constantly on the move. Addison wondered at times how Emma was going to keep track of their curious daughter while she tended to the needs of an infant. Parenthood could be exhausting.
”Wearing you out, already?” Addison teased.
”Some days,” Sandra confessed with a smile.
”So, what brings you down here today?” Addison wondered. Sandra grinned. ”Oh. Looking for Jeff?” she guessed. Sandra blushed. ”Well, I am sorry to disappoint you, but my partner in this current crime is down in San Diego for the day meeting with an investor. He'll be back tonight,” Addison said. She watched Sandra's smile fade and felt her heart ache.
Sandra had been through more than Addison wanted to imagine in the last couple of years. Dan Starr's death had been hard on everyone involved with Off Screen. It had been nearly unbearable for Sandra. Emma had taken Sandra under her wing not long after the series had begun. Addison knew that Emma had enjoyed watching Sandra spread her wings and fly professionally. The two had become close friends over the years that Off Screen had been filming. Both Addison and Emma had delighted in the off-screen romance that had developed between Sandra and Dan. They had complimented one another. Dan's sudden death had ended far more than a television series. Sandra had been left to mourn the man before she'd even been able to tell him she was expecting their baby. Addison couldn't fathom that reality. The thought of losing Emma made her physically ill. More than once after Dan's death, Emma had confessed to Addison that she had pondered what she would have done had it been Addison. It had left them both with a sense of gratefulness and tremendous sadness for Sandra.
Addison regarded Sandra thoughtfully as the actress attempted to corral her son. She found herself smiling at the sight, and realizing that Sandra was likely starved for a bit of adult companions.h.i.+p. As much as Emma loved being with Vicki, Addison had seen the evidence of Emma's need for adult companions.h.i.+p many evenings.
”Let me guess,” Addison began. ”You were hoping instead of Calgon that Jeff might take you away for the evening?”
Sandra shook her head. ”Calgon? Addison, how old are you?”
Addison laughed. That was exactly what she imagined Emma would have said. ”I like vintage commercials.”
”Explains why Emma has always said you were a bargain.'
”She did not!” Addison chimed. Sandra smiled. ”A bargain?” Addison asked sullenly. Sandra laughed. ”Very funny. You know, you technically work for me,” Addison joked.
”G.o.d, help me,” Sandra teased.
Addison rolled her eyes. Having Sandra in the office reminded her of the years they had all worked together. There had been ups and downs, but far more ups than downs. Addison missed seeing the familiar faces sometimes. ”So? I know, I'm not Jeff, but my wife left me all alone for a couple of weeks. Strange thing? No toddler in the house, but also very little adult conversation. Unless I count myself, and I'm pretty sure Em would argue that could go either way.”
”You know, Addison, that's the closest to being asked out on a date I've had in over two years,” Sandra teased. Addison laughed. ”And, as far as adult conversation goes, I'm afraid that Little Mario Andretti here might have other ideas.”
Addison shrugged. ”Like I said, my verbal skills can go in either direction. What do you say? You can bring Brody over to the house. Vicki's room is like Disneyland,” she laughed. ”I mean, for a toddler.”
”Missing them, huh?” Sandra guessed. Addison blushed. ”Well, I know I am no subst.i.tute for Emma, but I'd love to.”
”Good. I have a few things to wrap up. I'd offer to cook, but maybe it'd be better if I just picked up a pizza.”
”Yeah, how long has Emma been gone?
”Eleven days, four hours,” Addison looked at her phone, ”and sixteen minutes.”
”Not that you are counting or anything,” Sandra replied. Addison shrugged again. ”Mm-hm, and how many times have you had pizza since she left?” Sandra asked.
”I had Chinese too.”
Sandra laughed. Some things never changed. It was a standing joke among their friends. Emma was the cook. Addison was the diner. When Emma was away for even a day, take-out was always the menu. ”She'll kill me if I encourage you,” Sandra said.
”Nah. I made myself dinner last night.”
”Do I want to know?”
”Peanut b.u.t.ter and jelly. Oh, and corn chips,” Addison said.
Sandra shook her head. ”Tell you what. You agree to be the pace car for an hour, and I will make dinner.”
”Really?” Addison's eyes grew wide.
”Trust me, Addison. It won't be Emma-worthy. I'm thinking spaghetti and meatb.a.l.l.s.
”Garlic bread?”