“Well, I love Mickey Mouse, so this is going to be one of the best parts of my day.”
“Oh, God, I’m going to cry,” I blurt, and hear both boys groan then feel Zach’s arms around me. I love my girls, and I’m going to miss having them both home. Even though Aubrey will only be next door. We never sold Zach’s house. We have made a killing off of renting it out over the years, and kept it for extra income, but when Aubrey told us her plans, we told her and Gabe they could have it. Honestly, we’re being greedy, wanting to have Aubrey close. We’re just lucky Gabe’s work allows him to stay in town.
“Bre, your mom will be here at ten, along with your hair dresser, so if you’re up, you should probably eat and shower,” Zach says, and I lean back to look up at him.
I can’t say that I like Tina, but she has been better since divorcing her ex two years ago. Before that, she was in and out of the kids’ lives. At first, I tried to make her see what she was giving up, but Zach had been right; it wasn’t my place to force her into being around. She had to figure it out on her own that she was losing her kids because of Thomas. Since her divorce, she has made more of an effort to be there when Steven and Aubrey have needed her, but they are still hesitant when it comes to her because of her past actions, but hopefully, with time, they will move past the disappointments and let downs, and rebuild their relationships with her.
“Right, since we’re all up, let’s eat, and then we can fight over the hot water, only Aubrey gets first dibs today,” I say, then move away from Zach and into the kitchen, where I find everything is covered in gunk, but I ignore that and focus on the fact the kids are around us, each of them happy and healthy, each of them becoming adults we are proud of. I just wish Samuel was here today. Years ago, Samuel reached out to us when he turned eighteen. Since then, we’ve talked to him on occasion, but have let him lead when it comes to the direction of our relationship. He talks to his siblings more than he talks to us, but just knowing how well he was raised and the kind of man he is, is enough for Zach and me to be content in our decision.
Feeling Zach’s hand on my back, I soak in the feeling of his touch as I come out of my thoughts.
“I love you, Shel.” Leaning my head back, I look up into his eyes and close mine briefly. That wide open space that always seemed impossible to fill was filled by him and the kids years ago, but every time I hear him tell me he loves me, it overflows and runs through me, filling me up impossibly full.
“Love you too,” I whisper, then lean up to kiss him, hearing the kids make gagging sounds, which causes us to laugh against each other’s lips. There is nothing better than this, nothing better than having my family and the love we have for each other.