CHAPTER 118

ELENA

“Milkaaaa,” I sung. “What did Mama say about Doc?”

Milka stared at the TV, still blaring out Doc McStuffins, the tiny two-year-old’s latest obsession. “Ah, one show afore nap?”

“One show, that’s right,” I said. “But . . .” I swooped her into my arms and dropped back onto my bed, to her insane giggles. “Shhh. We can watch another Doc.”

Milka clapped her hand over her mouth, and I slid up the bed to the head of it.

“Nachos,” Aiden muttered.

“You’re early,” I retorted. “We’ve got a date with Stuffy and Doc, right, Mi?”

“Yeah, El!” Milka turned to look at Aiden. “My lub El. My lub Stuffy and Doc. And Elmo. And Peppa.”

I smiled at Aiden over the top of Milka’s head. “I think Stuffy and Doc and Elmo and Peppa love naptime,” I said, getting up to fill her milk sippy cup. When it was full, I screwed the lid on and climbed back onto the bed. I dutifully lie through twenty minutes of mind-numbing Doc McStuffins. “Now,” I whispered, lying Milka down in her crib. “You be a good girl for Unc