Come Turning of the Tide

AN: Ero, I don't think it's weird that you said that. I'm glad someone's proud of me. It's that much more encouraging! *eats cookies!* OH GOD DELICIOUS!!! I'm working on my next chapter of Bittersweet, if that makes you happy!

“I had fun with you, Charity.” Jack yawned as she settled him into the sleeping bag Johnny had set up in his room. He stood outside the door, peeking through the crack and listening.

“I had fun with you, too, Jack-Jack.”

“Are you coming tomorrow?”

“I sure am. I’m coming every day now, except for the weekends. It’ll be just you and your daddy on the weekends.”

“Okay.” He yawned. “Good night, Charity.”

“Good night, Jack. I’ll see you in the morning.” She tucked the blankets up around his chin. She walked out and Johnny walked in, pretending that he hadn’t heard anything the two of them had said.

“So, do you like Charity?” he asked. His son nodded vigorously.

“She’s smart and nice and pretty!”

“Ah, my son has good taste.” He smiled and patted his son on the head. “I know that things are going to be different without Mommy around and with me working, but Charity’s going to help. You understand that, don’t you?”

“Right. But things will get better when Maman comes, won’t they?”

“Of course they will. Good night, Jack. I love you.”

“Good night, Daddy. I love you.” Johnny left the room, feeling like the world’s worst father. Charity, who had been indulging in the same sin as Johnny’s, bit her lip.

**

When his wife came, I knew I was history. There was no way she was going to let me stay. If not because I was a really bad nanny, then because I was young. I had seen The Nanny Diaries; I knew how this sort of thing went. With a sigh, I went downstairs and got my purse from the counter.

“How much do I owe you for today?” Johnny was waiting for me at the door to see me out.

“I bill at the end of the week, not at the end of the day.” I told him with a wave of my hand. He hesitated.

“You don’t drive, do you?”

“I can’t afford a car.”

“I see.” He looked thoughtful. “I need you to schlep my kids around. You need a car for that. Cabs are really impractical when you have two young children. And I don’t much care for the bus system around here. How about if I rent you one?”

“I appreciate the thought, but I really don’t want to be responsible for that.” I smiled at him and hiked my purse up on my shoulder. “Besides, I won’t need it once your wife comes.”

“My--? Oh, right, sure. No, of course not. Well, have a good night, Charity. I’ll see you in the morning.”

I smiled again before pulling out my cell phone to call a cab and head home.

***

“So what are you going to do with them today?” Johnny asked when she arrived the next morning. She was wearing t-shit and jeans and a pair of walking shoes.

“We’re all going to the grocery store.” She said coolly.

“The grocery store?” he repeated. To tell the truth, it had been a long time since Johnny had been shopping. Vanessa had done it all for him, or one of his assistants, or he’d just called something in.
“Well, that sounds like fun. Have a good time.”

“Oh, you’re coming with us.”

“Me?” he squeaked. “Why do I have to go?”

“Because I have a horrible feeling that I need to teach you to shop. You’d either buy them Pop Tarts and Kool-Aid or macaroni and cheese. Children need more to live on.”

“I didn’t.” he mumbled. Charity laughed and shook her head.

“Where are they?” she looked around brightly. Jack came into the room and grinned as soon as he saw the nanny.

“Charity! You came back!”

“I told you I would. I always do what I say.” She knelt down and received the hug. “Did you think I wouldn’t?”

“I didn’t know.” He looked uncomfortable with the thought.

“Well, go and get washed up. We’re all going shopping.”

Johnny looked at her. How was she able to take control of a situation like that so easily? Was it a girl thing? Was it just Charity? She caught him looking at her and pointed to the fridge.

“Go and write a list of what you want.”

“Yes ma’am,” he mock saluted, but they were both smiling.