I catch him easily, holding him close while Gwen plants her hands on her hips.
“You think your father’s going to save you?”
“Uh huh,” Caleb says, as his giggles garble his words. “My daddy will save me. He’s big and strong. Right, Daddy?”
I laugh. “Right, Bub.”
“That’s not fair,” Gwen says.
“I guess I won!” Caleb declares.
She sighs dramatically. “I guess so. That means I’ll have to clean all this up by myself.”
She grabs the sugar, looking tragic.
“Yep, but don’t worry. Me and Daddy will stay here while you do all the cleaning!” Caleb adds helpfully. “We’ll watch you and make sure you do a good job.”
Gwen laughs, shaking her head. “That doesn’t seem fair. I mean, I didn’t make all the mess by myself.”
“But you losted,” Caleb insists. “You gots to clean up. It’s the rules!”
She sighs loudly. “Don’t I at least get a kiss on my cheek and maybe a hug?”
Caleb freezes, awe all over his face. “You want a hug and kiss from me?”
My chest tightens. God, I really want to strangle his mother. I knew she was shit at being gentle with him, but I had no idea just how bad it was.
“Of course,” Gwen says softly. “Your hugs and kisses are magic. Don’t tell him, but they’re even better than your dad’s,” she whispers conspiratorially.
“They are?” he asks, his heart in his eyes.
“Always.”
He nods solemnly. “Okay, Gwen. I’ll hug you and kiss your jaw.”
She doesn’t need to be told twice. She steps in, hugging us both—then suddenly lifts the sugar and dumps it over my head.
“Daddy loses!” she announces with a shout—making everyone but me laugh.
Caleb screams with joy. “Daddy, your hair is all white!”
“If you had a beard,” Gwen says, backing up, “you’d look like Santa!”
I shake my head, sending sugar flying in her direction. She tries to get away, but instead, backs right into Rocky and Knife.
“Uncle Rocky! Uncle Knife! Did you guys come to meet my Gwen?”
“When did she become your Gwen? I thought she was mine,” I complain at once.
“Nope,” he says proudly. “Gwen loves me. Don’t you?”
Her eyes shine, and she kisses his forehead. “I sure do.”
I wrap my arm around her and squeeze my boy close.
“Maybe I can make Gwen love me too.”
“Yeah,” Caleb says. “Then we can be a real family.” Something settles deep in my bones once more. It’s not a new feeling. I’ve been feeling it since getting one look at Gwen.
