Being a CEO really does take stamina. Without it, you don''t even get a seat at the table.


    Anastasia couldn''t help but crack up at that, and honestly, everyone was in a good mood. Pattie''s voice was finallying back, and James said she''d be able to start talking again in a couple weeks. That was huge news for the Salstrom family -definitely worth celebrating.


    So, of course, there was a little "celebration" happening behind closed doors. Neither Anastasia nor Herman had any idea that their two little rascals were eavesdropping right outside.


    Emmie and Nancy, chubby and adorable as ever, were crouched by the door, ears pressed up against it, whispering to each other, eyes wide with curiosity.


    Salma came down the hall looking for them, and the sight made her chuckle.


    “Emmie, Nancy, what are you two doing out here? Time to get to bed. Want to sleep with Grandma tonight?" Salma had missed the girls, so she was staying over. Usually, she slept at her own ce.


    The girls straightened up, all innocent. Emmie piped up, her voice sweet and soft, "Grandma, I think Mommy and Daddy are fighting."


    Nancy nodded, whispering conspiratorially, "Yeah, I heard Mommy crying."


    Together, they announced, "Daddy''s being mean. He made Mommy cry."


    Salma paused, a little worried. She was about to knock on the door, but then realized something was off. Her cheeks turned pink. She quickly took their hands. "Alright, let''s go to bed. Mommy and Daddy aren''t fighting."


    Nancy, always curious, asked, "Then why was Mommy crying?"


    Salma hesitated, then smiled. "Mommy and Daddy were ying a game that only grown-ups can y."


    "A grown-up game?" The girls tilted their heads, thinking hard. Then, perfectly in sync: "What game is it, Grandma? We want to y too!"


    Their bright eyes sparkled with curiosity.


    Salmaughed, "It''s a wrestling game. You''ll understand when you''re older. Now, off to sleep! Tomorrow, Grandma''s making pumpkin pancakes."


    "I want two!" Nancy, the little foodie, said right away.


    Emmie raised her hand. "Me too, Grandma!"


    "There''ll be plenty for both of you," Salma said, feeling especially happy. The older she got, the more she loved these lively moments with her grandkids.


    Whenever Katelyn wasn''t around, Salma could really rx and enjoy the kids. With Katelyn''s strict rules-what not to eat, what not to y-no one had any fun.


    Meanwhile, Herman and Anastasia had no idea their "celebration" had been overheard by their two little spies.


    The next morning...


    Anastasia was still in the bathroom getting ready when Emmie bounced in, all dressed up in her pink frilly dress. "Mommy, I want to y that game too!"


    Anastasia looked puzzled. "What game do you want to y, Emmie?" Emmie thought for a second, then blurted out, "The wrestling game!" Anastasiaughed, "Sweetie, little girls shouldn''t wrestle. Fighting isn''t good." Nancy wandered in right on cue. "But why can Mommy and Daddy wrestle?"


    Herman, just stepping out of the bathroom, looked at Anastasia, equally confused.


    "When did we wrestle?" he mouthed.


    Herman scooped Nancy up. "Nancy, Mommy and Daddy weren''t wrestling. Grown-ups don''t fight like that."


    Nancy pouted. "But Daddy, we heard you! You made Mommy cry!"


    Emmie nodded seriously, her face earnest. "We heard it. Mommy was crying."


    The couple stared at each other,pletely baffled.


    Then


    were you cryingst night?


    Dom Said in her tiny voice,


    I''ll protect you from?


    Daddy."


    "Grandma said you were ying a wrestling game. We wanted to y too, but Grandma said no."


    Finally, it clicked. Anastasia blushed bright red and shot Herman a re. "This is all your fault."


    Herman just grinned and whispered, "Next time, we need a new door. Better soundproofing."


    Anastasia rolled her eyes, scooped up Emmie, and called to Nancy, "Come on, let''s go down for breakfast."


    Herman set Nancy down, and she immediately ran to take Anastasia''s hand. The three of them headed downstairs.


    Herman was just getting dressed when his phone rang. It was Dailey.


    "Boss,


    Joseph''s office-she''s Wel


    there to see him. Also, Mr. got another promotion."


    promotion."