Free Broadway Baby by Alexandra James Page B

decided it would be a good idea if Mama knew she was there. “Mama!”
    Giggling as Shelby started Lily tried again, “Mama, I’m here!”
    “I see that,” Shelby’s voice was thick with sleep. “Scooch so you can get under the covers with me.”
    “I’m not tired anymore.”
    “Lily it is in the middle of the night, I am very tired. Come on, keep me company while I get a little more sleep.”
    “Do I have to sleep?” Lily’s question was followed by a large yawn.
    “I just want you to keep me company, Lily. Come on, snuggle with me,” Shelby encouraged.
    “Okay Mama, but just so you don’t get lonely.”
    “Thank you, baby.” Shelby smirked in the dark as she felt Lily crawl under the covers and curl into her. Giving Lily a kiss to the top of her head Shelby allowed herself to relax once more as Lily’s breathing evened out allowing both to fall into a well-deserved sleep.

Chapter Four
     
     
    “Mama, I’m hungry,” Lily said as she snuggled into Shelby, her tummy growling loudly.
    “A few more minutes, baby,” Shelby muttered.
    “Mama, I’m hungry now!” Lily’s whine caused Shelby to fully wake up.
    Opening her eyes she looked down at the teen cuddled into her side. “I’m awake, Lily and I can hear your tummy from here. I guess you are hungry.”
    Lily nodded. “I am really hungry, Mama. I’ve been up forever and you just kept sleeping.”
    “I am sorry,” Shelby yawned and stretched. “Let me use the bathroom and I will be ready to make you breakfast.”
    “French toast?” Lily asked batting her dark eyes.
    “French toast sounds good.”
    “Yippee!” Lily bounced on the bed while Shelby moved off to the bathroom. “I’ll wait for you in the kitchen, Mama. I can help.”
    “Don’t you get anything out, Lily Anne, wait for me.”
    “Okay Mama.”
     
    * * *
     
    “Lily Anne Prescott!”
    Shoving another cookie into her mouth, Lily waved to Shelby with one hand while trying to hide the half-eaten package behind her back with the other. The bowl of fruit was still on the floor along with a bag of bagels, where they’d both been knocked off the counter during the cookie rescue mission. Lily’s face was covered in chocolate streaks, and her pajama top was littered with cookie crumbs.
    “What are you doing?” Shelby demanded moving forward quickly and taking the almost empty package of cookies from the teen.
    Swallowing hard Lily smiled, “Having a snack before breakfast. Those cookies sure were good. You should try one, Mama. They’d take that frown right off your face.”
    “Didn’t I tell you not to get into anything or take anything out?”
    Lily nodded. “I didn’t get into just anything, Mama. I got into the cookies. I didn’t take anything out for breakfast. You never said I couldn’t take the cookies out.”
    Saying nothing Shelby moved to the pantry and placed the cookie bag on the top shelf. “These cookies stay here unless I get them for you. Do you understand?”
    “Yes Mama,” Lily frowned. “But those sure are good cookies. Are you sure we can’t have one more?”
    Holding her smile Shelby put on the most serious face she had, “I am sure, Lily Anne. No cookies for breakfast.”‘
     
    * * *
     
    “This sucks,” Lily pouted as she faced the corner moments later. Shelby had guided her there without a word and then gave her a good swat telling her to not move.
    “Not another word, Lily,” Shelby directed.
    A heavy sigh met the direction, and Shelby looked from the stove, where she was putting the finishing touches on a real breakfast, to the corner. Damned if Lily didn’t look too cute for words. Her short-set pajamas gave her the look of a much younger girl, and the fact that Lily had her head leaning against the wall while she waited was, to Shelby, adorable.
    Placing the last of the French toast on the plates, Shelby put the food and condiments on the table before asking Lily to join her. She then put a glass of juice at Lily’s seat and a