“I’ve got you,” Elijah says softly.
“Thanks,” I gasp, gripping his arms with all my strength until I get my legs back underneath me. “I’m okay.”
“Good.” Elijah’s smile morphs into a smirk. “Because we have to beat your kid.”
“Mommy!” Nick comes skating past and slides to a stop next to me, then he grabs my leg. “Did you fall?”
“No, baby. I’m okay, I just slipped.”
“You’re okay?” He looks at me with such intense concern that I release Elijah, turn, and kneel down to his level.
“I’m fine, baby, see? All okay.” Bitter cold soaks through my jeans and bites at my knee as I kneel there, cupping Nick’s face.
“I fell once,” gasps Sam as he stops next to us, panting. “Flat on my face! Lost my tooth, wanna see? His hand is already halfway in his mouth as I catch his wrist and pull it free.
“It’s okay, I don’t need to see. And don’t put your glove in your mouth. It’s all dirty.”
“It’s not!”
“Trust me, kiddo, it really is.”
“Can we race now?” Nick butts in, sniffing as the cold attacks his nose. “I wanna win!”
“Oh, you think you can win?” comes Elijah’s voice above me.
“Yeah!” Nick challenges, looking up at him with a grin. “I’m fast!”
“Bet I’m faster.” Elijah’s eyes twinkle as he skates away a little. “We do teams? I’ll race you and your Mommy can race Sam?”
“Okay! Let’s set go!” Nick’s already skating away as fast as he can. Elijah looks back at me, searching for permission that I give him with a smile, and then he’s off in controlled movements as he skates after Nick.
“Alright, kiddo, prepare to get defeated,” I growl playfully as I stand. “Should I give you a head start because you’re slow?”
“I’m slow but you’re old!” Sam bursts out laughing and as he skates away, he yells, “Three, two, one, go!”
Keeping to the edge so we don’t disturb other skaters, we race in our respective teams and despite the desperate, trying efforts by me and Elijah, Nick and Sam secure their victories and spend ten excited minutes laughing, cheering, and mocking us with their tongues and fingers.
“Oh, no!” Elijah gasps dramatically. “ I can’t believe you beat me!”
“Eat my dust.” Nick giggles, sticking out his tongue.
“Your Mom isslow.” Sam laughs, clutching at his friend.
“That’s okay, Mommy. I still love you.” He lunges at me and hugs my legs as I laugh, and Elijah gently nudges me with his elbow.
“He’s a great kid.”
My heart swells as I ruffle his curls. “Thanks, baby. Now, are you two hungry?”
“Yes!” Two grinning faces beam up at me, cheeks pink from the cold and excitement.
“Dinner?”
“Yes!”
As they skate toward the exit of the rink, I turn to Elijah. “Do you want to join us?”
“I wouldn’t be intruding?”
