“How about I pull on my ear?”
“Perfect,” Marco says, then kisses me. “Let’s go.”
We walk up to the front door, but instead of knocking, Marco simply walks in. “We’re here!” he calls as the three of us step inside and the cutest border collie comes bouncing for us. I scratch behind her ear as her tail wags and take in the surroundings.
It’s beautiful. It’s a mix of new and original features—and tons of toys.
Viera’s sitting on the living room floor, her pastel rainbow tutu around her as she turns to see us. “Uncle Marco! Uncle Jay!” She comes barreling in and throws her arms up as Marco lifts her high.
“Peanut Butter!”
“Jelly!” she hollers back and squeezes his neck fiercely.
I take a mental check of myself.
I don’t feel anxious or sad.
I feel… good. Viera’s so beautiful and wild.
The dog jumps up into Jay’s arms, throwing their head into his neck. Then Rebecca comes walking over with Leo. She’s wearing a similar outfit to mine—jeans and a black and white striped t-shirt. “Welcome to the chaos. Here, Jay. Take your nephew, too.” She passes him Leo, who’s only wearing socks and shark pajama pants.
“Hi, buddy,” Jay coos as he bounces both the dog and Leo. “I missed you.”
“I eat yogut.”
“You did. I can smell it. Would you like to meet someone? This is Cora. Can you sayCora?”
“Coa.”
“Hi, Leo. It’s nice to meet you. May I shake your hand?” Leo retracts himself further into Jay’s neck, staring at me. “That’s okay. Maybe another time when you’re more comfortable.”
“And this is Kayla. The best dog in the world,” Jay smiles.
“Hi, Cora. I’m Viera.” I switch my gaze to the little girl as she hops down from Marco’s arms and takes my hand. But before I can even internalize my feelings further, she pulls me over to the living room. “These are my colors. I have special markers that don’t make a mess. And I have paper. Color with me.”
I kneel down as she sits in her tiny, child-sized chair and table. I look over at my guys and Rebecca. Jay grins, his neck stretched and eyes big, giving me an excited look that saysyou’re so in.
I start to peel off my coat and Marco comes to grab it. “Of course, Viera. I love coloring. It’s kind of my job.”
Viera hands me a few markers and a slightly used piece of paper. “You color for a job?”
“I do.”
“I’m gonna be a ballerina and a fireman and a hockey player.”
I start to color my outline of a mermaid. “Wow. I think that’s the best triple threat I’ve ever heard. Have you started practicing?”
She shrugs her nonchalance, “Yeah. I have a hockey stick and a net.”
“Will you teach me how to score a goal?”
“Yeah. You can do it.”
I smile and look over at Jay sitting down on the couch a few feet away with Leo who’s chattering the cutest nonsense to him. He looks at me and whispers, “You good?”
Again, I take an internal mental assessment.
I am. I really am. This isn’t so scary. This is actually really adorable.
