Tyler's small hand disappears into Sully's large one. "I'm Tyler. I'm three."
"Three is a very important age," Sully agrees solemnly. "That's when I got my first pair of skates."
Tyler's eyes widen. "I want skates!"
"I heard Santa might be thinking about that," Sully winks at Logan over Tyler's head.
More doorbell rings follow—teammates bearing casseroles, beer, and loud laughter. The apartment fills with voices, the smell of food, the clinking of glasses. Tuck hands over his famous mac and cheese. Petey arrives with his girlfriend and a sweet potato something covered in marshmallows.
Tyler gravitates toward Sully almost immediately, climbing onto his lap at the dining table where Sully's settled with a slice of pie.
"Can I have some?" Tyler asks, eyeing the pie.
"Well now," Sully pretends to consider. "I suppose one bite wouldn't hurt. Don't tell your dad." He offers a forkful, and Tyler opens his mouth like a baby bird.
"Good?" Sully asks.
Tyler nods, pumpkin filling smeared across his chin. "More?"
"Sully, are you corrupting my son already?" Logan asks, appearing behind them with a beer in hand.
"Just making sure the pie's safe for consumption," Sully says with a wink.
Conversation flows as we all gather around the table, dishes passed hand to hand, glasses filled and refilled. Tyler sits on a booster seat between Logan and me, his plate a carefullyarranged balance of turkey, mashed potatoes, and the tiniest serving of green beans that he keeps pushing around but not eating.
"Tyler, try one bean," I suggest. "Just one."
He eyes me suspiciously, then spears a single green bean with his fork. He chews it with exaggerated difficulty, then swallows. "There! Can I have more pie now?"
The table erupts in laughter. Elena catches my eye across the table and mouths, "Told you so."
During a lull in the conversation, Tyler points his fork at me, a piece of turkey still speared on the end. "That's my bonus mommy!"
The table goes quiet. I freeze, fork halfway to my mouth. Logan's hand finds mine under the table, squeezing tight.
"Is that right?" Sully asks, his voice gentle.
Tyler nods, matter-of-fact. "Uh-huh. Daddy said she's not replacing Mommy, she's a bonus. And bonuses are good!"
Warmth spreads through the room as everyone smiles, some exchanging glances, others nodding in approval. Logan's thumb traces circles on my palm, and I have to blink rapidly to keep tears at bay.
"Bonuses are very good," Sully agrees, raising his glass slightly in my direction.
All too soon, the clock edges toward five. The doorbell's chime brings a subtle tension back into the room. Logan answers it, and Jessica steps inside, her smile polite but reserved as she takes in the gathering.
"Mommy!" Tyler runs to her, cranberry-stained shirt and all. "We had pie and hockey and Sully gave me EXTRA pie when Daddy wasn't looking!"
Jessica raises an eyebrow. "Did he now?"
Sully raises his hands in mock surrender. "Guilty as charged."
I gather Tyler's things—his backpack, a drawing he made for Jessica, the dinosaur toy he brought with him. When I hand them to him, his small arms wrap around my waist.
"Bye, bonus Reese! See you soon!"
"See you soon, sweetie," I manage, my voice thick.
Jessica nods to the room, her eyes lingering on me for a moment. "Thanks for having him. Looks like he had a great time."
