“Cadence, stop.Please.I wouldn’t trade this day for any other.I didn’t realize how much I needed it until it happened.Frankly, I thought this was going to be the worst, but I don’t know.I just saw so much genuine love for my family.So much of my memories are overshadowed with after Ariel’s death that I nearly forgot all the good until that moment, or at least up to the months leading up to it.I had forgotten the way Mom laughed.Or how Ariel loved playing that floor is lava game.Even how Dad used to sing to Mom when they thought it was just the two of them.He really was a terrible singer.”
“Well then...”I wasn’t sure what to say to that.
Justin reached up and grabbed my hand, interlocking our fingers together as he brought them to rest on his chest.His eyes closed and I just sat there and let him be.
Seth came in about an hour later, saw us and smiled as he let Bebe in, but left us alone, going up to his room.Bebe followed him, letting the two of us sit in the quiet together.
Chapter Six
Calvin was waving likea crazy person when I pulled into the parking lot at the Faydelle Recreational Center.His brother had to practically hold him back so he didn’t run toward my car while I was parking.
“You are way too excited there, Cal,” I said as I got out of my car.
“I’ve been good forever so I can come today,” he said in a theatrical way that had me laughing.All dramatic, like he had to go through an ordeal.
If that was his only problem at his age, then his family was doing their jobs right, and I loved that.I didn’t really know stability until I met Paxon and his family.Their mom left, but between the three of them, they made it work and I was glad I got to see it.While their dad worked a lot, he was also the type of dad who’d drop everything and come running as soon as his kids needed him.He was present in their lives, talking to them, supporting them in every way needed.
And Paxon was such a great older brother, always willing to take care of Cal, never feeling like it was a chore to him.And he did everything to support his brother in everything he wanted to do.I loved that about him so damn much.
He was truly a Number One Big Brother.I may have helped Cal buy Paxon a coffee mug that said that for Christmas.And his dad was getting the Number One Dad mug.
Paxon came over and pulled me into a nice warm hug.He kissed the side of my mouth, sending warmth through me to chase away the cold of December.All I had to do was turn slightly and our lips would finally meet.The temptation was so dangerously strong, but I held myself still.We hadn’t actually kissed yet, but Paxon made it all feel so easy, like there was no rush, but he still liked me.He showed me that every time I was with him.
I smiled at him, and he returned it, his eyes crinkling in that cute way as his grey eyes looked down at me.Paxon always smiled with all his being, completely genuine, pulling in the people around him to want to be closer to him.
I squeezed him before letting go.
“All right, you ready?”I asked Cal.Paxon kept his arm around my shoulders as we walked into the center.
After signing in, we headed right to the music room.The center was full of kids playing like there was no tomorrow, yelling and screaming at each other as they enjoyed a game of tag.Some adults played with them, others watched.I took in a breath, letting that high energy settle inside of me and calm my nerves.
My dad was there too.
Dad came into my life only recently and we were still awkwardly trying to find our place in each other’s lives after his long absence.So far, he’d been sticking around, and while I battled with the fear of him leaving again, he’d so far only showed me his intent to stay, including renting an apartment here and studio space so he could work.
He still needed to go to Vegas to attend to his studio there, but those were short business trips rather than him trying to split his time between the two states.
