Hell, the idea that Elena and I may have made another child… or three, God help us, is equally as staggering.
But I’m confident that Elena and I are on solid ground. The cruelty and bullshit that pulled us apart won’t divide us again.
We won’t let it. We know what life is like apart and now how it is together. Together is a million times better.
I check the clock.5:03 AM. How are they still asleep?
As a kid, I was up at 4:30 racing down to the tree. I listen for any sign of movement from the hallway.
I picture their faces when they see what Santa brought. The bicycles. The new games for the gaming system. Their own baking tools because while they make a mess, they enjoy baking. I might have gone overboard, but how do you make up for six missed Christmases in one morning?
The bed shifts beside me, and Elena's sleepy laugh fills the darkness. "You're worse than they are. They won't be up for at least another hour."
"An hour?" I groan, turning to face her. "That's impossible. It's Christmas morning."
"They were up late," she reminds me, tracing lazy patterns across my chest. "And unlike their father, they need more than four hours of sleep to function."
I capture her wandering hand, bringing her fingertips to my lips. "I slept five hours, thank you very much."
"My mistake," she teases. "A whole five hours. Practically hibernating."
"I just want everything to be perfect," I admit, pulling her closer, wondering if we could spend part of the next hour enjoying each other’s body.
"It already is. You're here. We're together."
I'm about to respond when the unmistakable sound of small feet pattering down the hallway reaches us, a whispered "Shh!" followed by muffled giggles.
“Thank God.” I’m so eager for this moment, it’s ridiculous.
The door creaks open, and three small shadows slip into the room. Their excitement is palpable, vibrating in the air like electricity.
"Is it time yet?" Rocco whispers, though his version of whispering could wake the neighbors.
"We waited forever," Elio adds, bouncing on his toes.
Adalina hangs back slightly. "We didn't want to wake you, but…"
I sit up, pretending I haven't been awake for an hour already. "Santa came?"
They nod in unison, eyes wide and sparkling. I have another one of the moments of awe at being a father.
"Can we go see?" Adalina asks, her small voice hopeful.
Elena sits up beside me, her hair tousled from sleep. She gives me a knowing smile. “Shall we see if Santa came?”
I throw back the covers. "Race you downstairs!"
They squeal with delight, bolting for the door.
Together, we descend the stairs, the triplets racing ahead while Elena and I follow.
Her hand finds mine, squeezing gently as we watch our kids disappear into the living room.
“Should we wake your father?” she asks.
“How about I check on him and make some coffee?”
She laughs. “You’re pushing your luck if you think they’ll wait that long.”
