“Will a baby call you Mama?”
Isaiah’s question brought Ella’s eyes back to him. “Yes.”
“And Uncle Cody would be its papa?”
“Yes.”
Isaiah frowned. “Then I’ll still be the only one not saying ‘mama’ and ‘papa.’”
Ella reached out, tugging her son close. He allowed it, though his little body stiffened. “We love you, Isaiah, no matter what you call us.”
His lip pushed out in a pout. “But I don’t want to be different from my brothers and sisters.”
She took note of the fact that he would claim her children as his siblings. Ella hugged him. “What about a compromise?”
“What’s a compromise?”
“It means meeting in the middle. What if you called me Mama Ella instead of Aunt Ella?”
Isaiah bit his lip and searched her eyes. When he spoke, his voice was small. “Do you think my mama would be okay with that?”
She pressed a kiss to his soft cheek. “I didn’t know her, but Uncle Cody tells me she loved you very much. I think she’d be happy if you’re happy.”
Isaiah relaxed. He chewed on his lip. “Mama Ella. Papa Cody.”
Ella held her breath.
A grin broke out on Isaiah’s face. “I like it.”
She hugged him again, tears welling in her eyes.
Isaiah pushed back after a moment. “Hey, why’re you crying?”
“I’m happy.”
“People don’t cry when they’re happy.”
“They do sometimes.” She ruffled his hair, then pushed to her feet. “Can you watch your sister while I water the garden?”
“Uh-huh.”
The boys took to their game. Jonah dashed around the blanket, Isaiah giving chase. Addie chomped on her fingers in the middle of them, giggling and waving her free hand.
Ella’s heart seemed to grow in size, and she praised God for bringing her into this beautiful family. Jonah caught her eye. He beamed and waved, then took off again when Isaiah drew near.
Ella laughed. The sound danced around the yard. She picked up the watering can and headed for the garden, smile still in place. Humming softly, she began her task at the end nearest the house.
A few minutes later, Isaiah tugged her skirt. “Mama Ella, Addie’s fussing.”
On the blanket, Addie rubbed her eyes, making little sounds of frustration. Jonah sat beside her, patting her back. Addie slumped against him. As Ella watched, her daughter fell fast asleep.
“It looks as though your brother got her to take a nap.”
Isaiah didn’t respond. Ella turned to see him standing with hands on his hips, brows wrinkled. “Why’s the ground white?”
White? Ella’s gaze fell on the moist earth. Her jaw dropped open. How had she missed the white film covering the dirt? Had she been that distracted watching the children? She plunked the watering can down. “I don’t know. Have you ever seen something like this?”
“Nope.” Isaiah touched the dirt. “It feels funny.”
