“You’re really cute when you’re asleep,” I said.

“Well, you’re cute too, baby, and if you want to know the truth I watch you sleep too, but I’m sneakier than you are.”

“Time for a croissant run?” I said.

“Hold your horses there, cowboy. I’m not finished kissing you yet.”

Maggie was never the shy one.

* * *

Maggie and I spent the entire day wandering around the French Quarter—antique stores are our favorite—and eating, of course. With an entire day to explore, we made the rounds of our favorite shops and sidewalk cafes.

It’s not hard to while away an afternoon in New Orleans, and we had a very easy happy day just enjoying our magical city, filled with street vendors, musicians, artists and the shopping, which is always Maggie’s favorite.

“It’s almost 5pm, Maggie. We need to be making our way over to Mama’s house,” I said.

“I’m a little nervous, Jim, and please don’t be mad at Mama. She doesn’t have a mean bone in her body. I know you were upset with her last night but you don’t know what we’ve been working on together for the last three months,” Maggie said.