“You wouldn’t be a bad daddy if you put your little girl in the bassinet for fifteen minutes.” I cocked my head at my husband.
Nick shrugged. “I guess you’re right.” He slid his arms underneath mine to pick her up and lay her in the bassinet next to my bed, kissing her forehead twice before putting her down. His obvious guilt made me laugh to myself.
“We’re a foot away and can see her. Lay down with me.”
“If you insist.” His mouth twisted into a smirk as he crawled in next to me and dropped his head on the pillow. He was out like a light before I could turn my head.
Nick, our baby, all of it didn’t seem real at times. Losing the most important person to you is not only life changing, it can feel life ending—until someone makes you want to start living again. My son kept me going until Nick came along and did that for me.
He gave me a new future and a second chance—or as the hopeless romantic in me liked to call it, a happily ever after, part two.
Fifteen years later
“JACK? CAN Icome in?”
“Sure, Mom.” I was wrestling with all the different parts of my formal fireman’s uniform. Slipping on the gear would’ve probably taken less time, but I guessed graduation called for some kind of monkey suit.
“The walls are already so bare.” Her head craned around my room, her eyes landing on the boxes in the corner. I was finally moving into my own place next week. I’d never left home before, even when I went to college. Mom was smart; she knew this day was coming eventually and would never try to stop me—no matter how much she hated it. She’d plaster a smile on her face big enough to crack her cheeks the day I moved out. Then, she’d collapse in my dad’s arms as soon as I was out of sight. She was as predictable and constant as gravity.
“You know, you don’t have to rush to get your own place. You can stay here, save up some money, get a condo or something instead of rent.” She plopped on my bed and crossed her legs, working on her stay of execution.
I turned away from her to fasten my cuff links and hide the curving of my lips.
“Yes, I know.”
“And you could come and go as you please. You’re an adult; I wouldn’t get on your case.”
“I could,” I smirked at her hopeful gaze.
She scowled before letting out a long sigh.
“You’re placating me, aren’t you?”
“Pretty much.” I nodded as I slipped my jacket on.
She rose from my bed and strode over to me, adjusting my tie and lapel.
“Can’t blame me for trying. My handsome son is an official firefighter and moving away. Give me some time to be overbearing and unreasonable.”
“Two blocks isn’t ‘moving away.’ It’s walking distance, Mom.”
“I know that. It’s . . . always been my boy and me.” She swallowed as her squeaky voice cracked. “I just need to get used to my boy being a man. A man who visits his family.” She raised a warning eyebrow. Mom was tiny, but not to be tangled with. If I didn’t visit often enough, I had no doubt she’d march over to my new place and drag me back by my ear.
I grabbed both her hands and tugged them to my chest.
“It’s still you and me. I just think I’m too old to be fighting my baby sister for the use of the basement. You’re still my girl, Mom.” I kissed her forehead. “Always.”
She let out an audible sigh as she shook her head, her lips pursed as she tried to hide her smile.
“The side-smirk and the art of bullshit. You are so much like your father, its painful.”
“Jack or Nick?” I chuckled.
A laugh bubbled out of her chest. “I guess both. I married two storytellers. You were bound to pick it up.” Her lips touched my cheek. “I’ll let you finish getting ready. And when you start at the firehouse on Monday—”
“I know, I know. I’ll be careful.”
“He’s a probie, sweetheart. The worst thing that will happen is straining his back from taking out the garbage. The fire department is like a frat house. He’ll be in the hazing period for a while.” My dad wrapped his arms around her and kissed the top of her head. “No need for the waterworks today.”
