I then turned to get Mickey his coffee, black, one sugar.

“Mornin’, Uncle Lawrie.” I heard her say timidly.

“Morning, pretty girl,” he replied.

“Yo,” she went on.

That I knew was for Auden.

“Yo,” Auden returned.

I turned to Mickey with his coffee when I heard her say, “Uh, hey, Mickey.”

“Hey, Pippa,” Mickey responded.

I looked and saw her leaning heavily against her uncle, his arm around her, but her eyes were aimed at the cupboards under the kitchen sink.

“Okay, let’s get breakfast going,” I suggested. “Who wants what?”

“You probably hate me.”

I stopped moving and looked at my girl who was looking at Mickey from under her lashes.

Shit, Mickey was getting it.

I just didn’t know how to intervene to make it easier on him or my kids.

I found out Mickey didn’t need me to.

But I should have known.

“I don’t hate you, darlin’,” Mickey said gently.

“I’d hate me,” she mumbled to his shoulder.

I looked to Mickey just as he said, “Come here, Pippa.”

She shrunk back but didn’t get far when Lawr moved his arm from around her shoulders to put his hand in the small of her back. He gave her a light push and she crept Mickey’s way.

When she got close, Mickey leaned her way, grabbed her hand and pulled her closer before he wrapped his arms around her loosely.

I held my breath as my daughter tensed in his hold.

Mickey bent his head and said quietly to the top of hers, “You got it extreme last night. You took it. You had the guts to apologize. That was big. It was appreciated. I appreciated it. My girl appreciated it. And once someone apologizes, no other move you got except to move on. You hold bad feelings, that makes you the bad guy. It’s over, darlin’. If it stays over at school, then it’s totally over. Let it go. Yeah?”

She relaxed in his arms somewhat and tipped her head back. “Is Ash gonna let it go?”

“Not gonna let my girl turn into the bad guy.” He gave her a grin. “We didn’t all have the greatest start. But one thing about that, it can’t get worse.”

Her eyes got wide with surprise and she let out a stifled giggle.

“It’s gonna be okay,” he said gently.

She nodded. “Okay, Mickey.”

“Now give me a hug and tell your mother what you want for breakfast.”

She wrapped her arms around him and gave him a quick squeeze. If I saw it correctly, he gave her a quick squeeze back. Then they separated and she looked to me.

“Cheesy eggs, Mom,” she ordered but added, “I’ll help.”

“Thanks, kiddo,” I replied, smiling at her, again walking on air wondering if anyone could see the cloud of love I had for the four people around me at my feet lifting me up. “Grab the eggs from the fridge.”

“You gotta stay for cheesy eggs, Mickey,” Auden invited. “They’re more cheese then eggs.”