“I missed you so much!” I told her between kisses. She laughed and demanded that I unhand her for a second so she could at least put the bag on the floor.

“It’s good to see you too, baby,” she told me happily when Helena laughed at took the bag from Alice’s hand so I wouldn’t have to put her down. “Was Kallie that much of a handful?” she asked, and while I knew she’s meant it as a joke, she sounded a little guilty. I gently set her feet back down on the floor, but I kept my arms around her.

“No, she was perfect. Really, she didn’t give me any trouble at all. All the really did was run around and use Shane as a bed sometimes. I just missed you a lot,” I replied. “Hi Helena.”

“Hello darling,” Helena replied, but I wasn’t really able to have a conversation with her because Alice had actually registered what I’d said to her.

“What do you mean she used Shane as a bed?” she asked, appearing very confused.

I smiled. “Well, Shane came over to watch one of those puppet-thing movies with her, and Kallie sort of fell asleep on her.”

“Poor Kallie, that couldn’t have been too comfortable,” Alice joked.

“You be nice, Shane helped take care of your daughter while you and Helena were having Mai Tais in the tropics.”

“They were really good, too,” Alice replied.

“They were,” Helena agreed. “If you’re all set here then, I’m exhausted and I think I’ll go home and sleep the day away. Mummy’s flying in tomorrow to discuss things, and I’d like to be somewhat energized for that.”

“Yeah, go get some rest. I’m gonna take a nap too,” Alice told her. “Thanks so much. You really helped me, I hope you know that.”

“I sat on the beach with you and drank Mai Tais. It’s not as if I did anything extraordinarily helpful,” Helena replied, but she hugged first Alice and then me. “I’ll call you tomorrow?”

“Yeah, let us know how the meeting with your mom goes,” Alice said as she walked Helena to the door.

“Yeah, and let me know when you want to have lunch. No hurry or anything though,” I said as she left.