CHAPTER FIVE
"Lizzie! How are you?" Bella met her at the doorway to give her a hug. "And you've got perfect timing. I just got everything to the table. Nathan, grab her a plate."
"Already on it," he called out as he closed the cupboard door and walked back across the kitchen to the four-seat table.
"Hi, Charlie," Lizzie cooed, and the toddler responded with a squeal, holding out his arms for her to pick him up from the highchair.
"Not so fast, buddy, we're about to eat," Bella gently told her son, and he pouted.
"Izzy!"
"Yes, I know, but we need to have dinner first," his mother countered, a bit more firmly.
"'Kay," Charlie replied, still pouting.
Lizzie smiled at him and his pout was promptly replaced with a toothy grin.
***
* * * *
Another wave of loud, disrespectful, obnoxiou
