Miller’s sparkling eyes bounce back to mine.
“You coming, Baseball Daddy?”
I chuckle but need a moment to gather myself, needing to let the realizations sink in. “Yeah. Give me a second, and I’ll be right there.”
She leans up to kiss my lips before the two of them bound down the stairs to join our friends on the dance floor. With couples pairing off and the space filled, Miller helps my son stand his feet on the tops of hers. Holding his hands, she starts to move, the two of them dancing together.
Max is looking up at her as if she were his entire world.
Those two, this life . . . I don’t know how I got so lucky that I now get to call those two mine.
The fear that once consumed me, that Max wouldn’t have enough, that he wouldn’t feel loved unless he was with me, it’s gone. He has so much love in his life, and so do I.
Miller finds me over her shoulder, happy green eyes sparkling under the string lights. She gestures me to the dance floor, and though I love this view, I can’t keep myself from them.
I scoop Max up, holding him on my hip before sliding a hand against Miller’s lower back. Pulling her into us, she snakes one arm over my shoulder, the other over my son, pressing her cheek to my chest as we dance together.
“I love you,” I remind her once again.
She smiles up at me, so content, so at peace. “I love you.” Miller runs a soothing hand over my Max’s hair, her attention drifting to him. “And I love you.”
With our friends surrounding us, I finally got my family.
Epilogue
Kai
Six months later
“Max, which color pants do you want to wear today? Red, blue, or green?”
My son lays on his back in only his diaper and a T-shirt that says “Two Wild” in bold black letters, looking up at the three pant selections I’ve got on display.
“Gween!”
“Nice choice, my guy.”
“Mama, gween.”
As he lays on the floor, I slip his legs through his olive-green pants. “You’re right. Green is your mama’s favorite color, huh?”
“Yeah.”
While I’ve got him sitting still in one place, and most likely the only time he’ll be this way today, I take the opportunity to slip on his socks and checkered Vans.
“Who are you going to see today, Bug?”
“Mama.”
I chuckle. “Yes, but you get to see her every day. Who else?”
“Zaya.”
“Yep, your uncle Isaiah will be here. And . . .”
“Monny.”
“Yeah. I think Grandpa Monty will be here any minute.” I lift him off his back, placing him on his feet, all decked out for his second birthday party. “And why are all our favorite people coming over today?”
Max’s smile widens as he uses both hands to point to himself.
“For you! Because it’s your birthday, huh?” I give him a little tickle on his belly. “How old are you today?”
My son holds a hand up, showing off all five fingers.
“You’re five?! When did that happen?”
He laughs at himself as I help him put three of his fingers down. “Or are you two?”
“Two!”
And how the hell is he already two?
My happy boy with so much energy, confidence, and bravery. He’s thriving and I couldn’t be more grateful.
“Should we go show Mom your cool outfit?”
“Yes!”
I stand from the ground, letting him put his hand in mine. “I think there might be a jungle outside waiting for you.”
Max looks up at me, wide and excited blue eyes.
“Maybe even some giraffes and elephants and zebras.”
His little smile is so sweetly hopeful as he hops around on his feet. Turning the corner to the living room, he stands slightly behind my leg, using it to shield his eyes. We stop walking and he peeks his little face around, as if he were nervous to see his birthday party.
There are endless balloons in all different animal prints, palm leaves draped all around. Banners hang on every flat surface, and the décor is finished with an array of giant toy animals you might find in the jungle.
I get down on my haunches next to my son, pulling him between my crouched legs. “What do you think, Bug? Is that jungle for you?”
He nods excitedly, but leans back on me, like he’s not so sure if he should go outside yet.
But then he spots Miller at the dessert table, rearranging the endless display she’s been busy baking.
“Mama!” Max pops off my chest, running his way outside to go find his mom.