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"We're fine."

"That wasn't my question."

Charlie babbles somewhere in the background, immediately loosening the knot in my chest.

"Did you hear that? Alive and kicking."

"Where are you?"

"Running an errand."

"With Charlie?"

"Our daughter likes errands."

"Our daughter likes eating paper. I don't trust her judgment."

He chuckles.

"When are you coming back?"

"Later."

"Define later."

"Before dinner."

I sit upright. "Jagger Cartwright, Christmas Eve dinner is at six."

"I know what time dinner is."

"You said you'd be back by noon," I remind him.

"Lainey, chill out. I'm teasing. Charlie is doing amazing. And we'll be back by noon as promised," he states.

I release an anxious breath. "Okay. Sorry. I just feel off not knowing where she's at."

"She's with me."

"I know."

"And I promise you'll be excited when you find out where we went," he claims.

"Alright. So what are you doing?"

"Something."

"That's incredibly helpful."

An amused sound comes from him. "Love you. Bye."

"Don't you dare hang up."

"Love you, Lainey. See you at noon." The call ends.

I stare at the screen. "That man."

I get out of bed and go into the kitchen. Mama's drinking coffee. Wrapping paper, ribbon, tape, and enough boxes to make it look like Santa relocated his operation to Texas sit on the counter. She glances at me over her coffee. "You look irritated."