Total pages in book: 49
Estimated words: 47103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 47103 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 236(@200wpm)___ 188(@250wpm)___ 157(@300wpm)
“I didn’t put mine on yet,” Mia whisper-shouted from her hiding place.
“Shh. Papa can hear you.”
“You shh,” she countered.
Aaron marched to the balloons in the living area I’d had delivered earlier today. I was no dummy. My husband loved birthdays and since the adult party had been held last night at Jay and Peter’s, I figured a kid celebration with the four of us was a good idea. Family, friends, and neighbors would be by tomorrow, but today was all ours.
“Am I forty-four or forty-four thousand four-hundred and forty-four?” he asked, tapping a finger to his chin. More giggles. “Matty, our goblin situation is out of control. Where do you think they could be?”
“Surprise! Surprise!” Xander and Mia slid out from under the coffee table, jumping around their papa like little gremlins…or goblins.
Aaron sank to his knees and pulled them both in for hugs and kisses. “I love you, I love you, I love you. Thank you, my monkeys.”
“We’re not monkeys, Papa,” Mia scolded. “Did you see the cupcakes? They’re gonna be so good. Daddy let us do the stirring but I forgot my apron and I think I got some on my dress. Don’t worry. It’ll come out. Want to see me twirl?”
Aaron marveled at Mia’s grace, complimented the cupcakes, and widened his eyes at Xander’s report that he could throw the football to the trees. He was a great dad. The type of parent who took the time to learn his children, be present for them, celebrate their wins, and commiserate losses. He was full of wonder and light, and everything fun and whimsical. Honestly, I think he made me a better dad. A better person.
“You know what I think we should do?” I asked, breaking through the cacophony.
“Have a dance party?” Aaron suggested.
“Well, okay…how about a cupcake birthday dance party…outside?”
“Yes!” Xander punched his fist in the air and boogied toward the sliding door, flattening his palm on the glass as he pushed it open.
“With spinkles!” Mia skipped behind her brother, gesturing for Murphy to follow.
I draped an arm over Aaron’s shoulders and laughed. “My ears are ringing.”
He chuckled, leaning into my side as he watched them fly by the pumpkins and Halloween decorations, down the short set of stairs to the lawn. “Cupcakes, huh?”
“They insisted. It’s a box mix, but I ate one and they’re not bad.”
Aaron bit into his bottom lip. “They’re perfect. And balloons, too. Thank you.”
I kissed his nose in acknowledgment. “Our parents and…everyone…will be here tomorrow. For now…it’s just us.”
“I love us. The four of us…and Murph.”
“Me too, baby. We’ve come a long way.”
“We have. And the best is yet to come.” Aaron smiled. “I think the goblins are ready to party. Will you dance with me, Matty?”
“Always.”
I took his hand and stepped onto the deck. Yellow and orange leaves drifted lazily on the autumn breeze. It wasn’t cold yet, but there was a hint of a chill in the air. The kids were laughing, Murph was running in circles, and everything felt right in our corner of this mixed-up world.
I remembered telling him, “We can do it all, Aar. Everything. Marriage, kids, the works. I want to grow old with you.”
And here we were.
Loving him was the easiest thing I’d ever done. To be his person, his husband, and father to these two kids was…everything. I’d choose this life over and over again. It was simply better than good.