Jag and I worked hard to get the media room set up because we wanted to celebrate our new home with an early movie marathon with the kids. We wouldn’t keep them up too late on a work and school night, but we wanted to have an early surprise for them with the space we’d created for all of us to enjoy.
Jag had purchased an actual popcorn maker similar to those they used at movie theaters but on a smaller scale, and we’d installed a mini refrigerator so we didn’t have to walk down two flights of steps every time we wanted to get a drink. My favorite part was the large electric fireplace built into a wooden entertainment center. We placed a flat screen TV on the mantel and the cable box and DVD player in the compartments. We’d put the couch and loveseat from my house in the media room and Jag’s in the living room since his furniture was newer.
We planned their favorite dinner—chicken nuggets, macaroni and cheese, and apple sauce for our family Valentine’s Day dinner. We bought them small gifts, and Jag had ordered them each a little cake from Adam and Steve’s. We didn’t want to go overboard, but we wanted to make it a happy day. Destiny had done those types of things for them, and I wanted so badly to keep up her traditions.
“I can’t believe how much I missed the munchkins,” Jag said, interrupting my thoughts. “I was looking forward to a break, but I was ready for them to come back Saturday morning. I feel really guilty for saying this, but I was hoping Joann would call and tell us the kids were upset and wanted to come home. What kind of selfish asshole does that make me?”
I chuckled at the perplexed frown on his face. “If you’re a selfish asshole, then so am I, but as hard as it is to be away from them, it’s good for all of us to have a little break now and then. I was so happy Joann and Herbert didn’t make things awkward on Friday when they picked them up.” I tilted my head in consideration. “I mean, they weren’t smiling all over themselves and hugging us, but they greeted us warmly. That’s progress, right?”
“It sure is, Bones. I’m sure in time any remaining tension will dissipate. They’re just missing their daughter and are afraid of losing their last ties to her. Once they see that you genuinely want them to be involved in Lucas’s and Lily’s life, they’ll relax.” He glanced over and smiled at me when he pulled up at a red light. I noticed he liked driving the new SUV when we went places together. “I was thinking about inviting Herbert and Joann to the open house at the YMCA so they can see the kids swim and tumble. I wanted to make sure you were comfortable with the idea first.”
“It’s a great idea.” He leaned forward and gave me a soft kiss.
I raised my hand to touch his face, and the sunlight reflected off the band he’d placed on my finger the night before. Like every time I saw it, my heart rate increased as I remembered the way I’d felt when I dug up each piece of his puzzle and the symbols of a wedding. I kept looking into Jag’s eyes to see if it was a joke, but his love for me smoldered in his eyes. My insides quaked when I assembled the cookie pieces to form his proposal. My God, when I saw that Tiffany’s box at the bottom of the sandbox, my tears started to fall.
“Let’s go get our kids,” I told him when the light turned green.
Joann and Herbert smiled warmly when they opened the door. They were overjoyed when I extended the open house invitation to them, and Joann went to the kitchen and wrote the event on her calendar. “We’ll be there,” she said when she returned.
Lucas and Lily squealed and ran to us when they heard our voices. They leapt into our arms and held on to our necks. They were so excited to tell us about their weekend that they talked over one another. It was obvious spending time with their maternal grandparents had been wonderful for them.
“One at a time,” Herbert said, laughing.
The constant chatter kept up through their goodbyes to their grandparents and the entire ride home. Jag and I just smiled at one another and reminded them to talk one at a time, but they were too excited about their visits to the children’s museum and aquarium.
“We have a surprise for you,” Jag said, finally getting their attention.
“Ohhhhh,” Lily said, clapping her hands. “What is it, Uncle Jag?” She always poured on the charm for her uncle Jag, and she had him wrapped around her little finger. If I wasn’t careful, Lily would be ruling the household, and we’d end up her loyal servants.
“You’ll have to wait until we get home, princess.”
“That’s just mean, Uncle Jag,” Lucas said, crossing his arms and trying to look angry.
“When we get home, Uncle Miller and I are cooking a Valentine’s Day dinner for our special Valentines while you guys get your rooms set up the way you want.”
“I’m only four,” Lily said. We laughed at her irate declaration.
“Your beds are all set up, but your clothes and toys need to be put away,” Jag told her.
“I guess.” She struck a pose to match her brother’s, and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. I looked over at Jag, and he was doing the same thing.
Once we got home, the kids were suddenly eager to get upstairs and get their rooms set up. Jag and I set about making chicken nuggets from scratch using Liam’s recipe for crispy air-fried nuggets rather than frozen ones. Jag cut the chicken breasts into bite-sized chunks while I put the breading together.
Once the nuggets were frying, we turned our attention to the macaroni and cheese recipe. Liam basically cooked the noodles, drained them, and added milk, butter, and fresh American cheese, stirring until the cheese melted.
“This is a really easy dinner,” I remarked. “If you can read, you can cook,” I said mimicking Liam. “You want to take over here, and I’ll start the laundry?”
“Gladly.” Jag hated doing laundry more than any chore, but he always pitched in. Often, he did the folding and putting away. He liked cooking more than I did, so I thought it was a fair trade off because I would do the dishes afterward. We had found a balance and rhythm that worked for us.
After a tasty dinner, we gave them their presents. Lily loved her Elsa doll and Lucas was ready to whip out his age-appropriate chemistry set and start working on experiments.
“That’s not all,” I told them.
“There’s more?” Lily’s surprised look made me smile.
“What? Where?” Lucas had always acted much older than he was, but when he was excited over something, he showed his real age.
“Follow us,” Jag said as he scooted his chair back. Lily took his hand and skipped beside him while Lucas and I followed at a more leisurely pace. He had resorted back to his much calmer and older demeanor. “Are you ready?” Jag asked as he stood by the closed door of the media room.
