“I love my Lego set,” Xavier called out.
“My yodeling pickle is up for grabs,” West said. “Harper, are you sure you won’t trade your chocolate penguins?”
“I’m sure!” Harper said.
“She’s already eaten half of them,” Max reported.
Harper laughed and said, “More than half.”
“If you’re smart, you know better than to take chocolate away from a pregnant woman,” Chance quipped.
The teasing continued for another couple of minutes, filling the house with laughter and love.
Eventually Ben tapped on the microphone to get us to shut up. Quieting this group was a chore, but it gradually worked.
“I just wanted to say a few words,” Ben said, “into my high-powered microphone.”
“It’s my microphone, Daddy,” Ruby informed him. “But I said you could borrow it.”
“Thank you for letting me borrow it, Ruby Tuesday,” Ben said. “Anyway, it was close to two years ago, I think, when Max, Luke, Chance, and I decided single dadding wasn’t for the weak at heart and that we should start an informal group that met every week to talk dad stuff, or sometimes talk nondad stuff.”
Low-voiced agreements arose from both tables.
“Along came Knox and West, rounding out our group of dudes stumbling through parenthood, with drinks and sports along the way.”
West raised his beer in acknowledgment.
“All I can say is,” Ben continued, “thank God for you guys. I don’t want to get too sappy, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we’ve been through some rough times that our group helped us get through. Of course, half of those challenges revolved around falling for the beautiful women at our tables who we now call our families.”
More laughter ensued, mostly because he was spot on. These guys had been hardheaded when it came to love. They’d each needed to be smacked upside the head. Meanwhile here I was the whole time, wanting to find a wife to share my life with, and I was the only single guy left.
I glanced at Magnolia and brushed my hand down her arm.
“This year, we’ve evolved, gentlemen,” Ben said. “Look at us tonight. None of us are alone anymore. We’re all lucky enough to have found some damn fine women, and yes, Ruby, I’ll put money in the swear jar for that when I’m done. Luke and Magnolia, I know you’re a new thing, and I’m not putting pressure on you for long-term, Magnolia. We’re just happy you’re here with us tonight.”
“Happy to be here,” she said, meeting my gaze with affection in her eyes.
“Does everyone have a beverage?” Ben asked. “Kids and pregnant ladies, grab your juice boxes. Anyone else need a refill? I’d like to make a toast.” He waited while Emerson poured herself more wine, then passed the bottle to Presley.
“Okay, we’re ready,” Emerson told her husband.
“A few years ago, it was just me and the kids, as you know, and we did okay. We bought this property so we could get horses and dogs, and we did. But then I kept on going, taking in animals like it was my job?—”
“It sort of is your job,” Max called out, making Ben laugh.
“You all know I love animals,” Ben continued, “but I think part of that was me searching for the final piece of our family. It turns out that was not, in fact, yet another four-legged creature but a gorgeous single mom and her two kids.”
After a round of aahs, Ben raised his wineglass and said, “Here’s to the single dads we once were. As hard as it was, it brought us together into this tribe that’s become an extended family. Here’s to the women who’ve brightened our lives and made our families complete. And here’s to you kids who’ve made us crazy at times, prouder than we ever thought was possible, more patient than we realized we had the capacity for, and who’ve filled us with learning opportunities and so much love. To friendship and family. Thank you all for being here tonight and for being an important part of my family’s lives.”
“Hear, hear,” rang out around the room as we clinked our glasses and cans and juice boxes.
Ben started to head back to the table, then lifted the mic again. “One more time, though, seriously, Magnolia. No pressure.”
I laughed along with everyone else, then leaned over and kissed her.
“Thanks for having this rowdy group over tonight,” Knox said.
Emerson stood and said, “Please stay for as long as you want, everyone. The party’s not over.”
