As we walk out into the bold but bright afternoon sun, Ellie tucked into her car seat, Poppy’s hand warm in mine, it hits me all at once.
I’m off work. The world can wait. I’ve got everything I need right here. My family. Poppy, Owen, and Ellie.
The Black Dog is loud in a good way. It’s what we needed tonight. No chaos, just life. Music from the speakers, the sound of pool balls cracking together, laughter, and happy chatter bouncing off the walls. It smells like beer, fried food, and something sweet Momma Mary, the cook, baked earlier that she swears is to test, but always ends up on our table.
Poppy and I haven’t been out like this in weeks. We’ve beengetting to know Ellie, newly married life, and our new home together. Life really said, “Hold my beer,” and put us on a roller coaster.
Mack’s got Owen and Ellie back at the apartment. Ellie went down easily and will probably sleep for 2-3 hours. Owen’s perfectly happy and already sent me a picture of a Minecraft castle he’s building while eating pizza, like he’s living his best life with Mack. We’re only a few blocks away, yet close enough if they need us. We could be there in five minutes. Poppy and I needed this night out together.
I keep checking my phone anyway.
“She’s still asleep,” Poppy murmurs, leaning into my side. “You’ve checked four times.”
“Five,” I correct. But who’s counting? Mack’s been a great babysitter, and she knows what she’s doing, but Ellie’s just so new.
Poppy smiles and presses her cheek into my shoulder, warm and solid and exactly where she belongs. It feels good to be here like this. Eating dinner. Having a drink. Doing grown-up things with her tucked into me like it’s the most natural thing in the world.
Violet slides a basket of cheese fries onto the table. “Eat,” she orders. “You look like you forgot how.”
“I know how,” I say, snatching a fry, taking a bite. “These are good.”
“You forget how to be a human when you live with babies,” Maggie says, sipping her drink. “You get so consumed with everything they need, you forget what you need.”
Walker’s at the pool table with Jack and Cami. Jack lines up a shot and laughs at something Cami says. Jack’s talking trash like it’s his job. Cami leans against the table, beer in hand, laughing every time Walker misses on purpose.
Violet catches my eye. “You ever need a weekend away, we’ll keep Ellie. We’ve been thinking about going on a baby moon to Coconut Beach.”
I don’t disagree. I would love a weekend away with Poppy. Just not now with Ellie, so new. “Well, if you want us to look after Mack, just let us know.”
She smiles. “We might just take you up on that. Look at us trading babysitting.”
Jack looks over and laughs. “You have the babysitter, Violet.”
I laugh. “She is a good babysitter. She sends updates every twenty minutes because I think she’s tired of me asking.”
Poppy chokes on her drink. “I’m guilty of it too, now.”
“I don’t mean to,” I mutter. “I just miss them.”
Walker raises his glass. “To Ollie and Poppy. New helicopter parents.”
Jack nods solemnly. “It’s happening.”
Violet smiles at me, genuine and warm. “It’s sweet.”
That quiets me faster than anything else. “It’ll be your turn here, soon.”
We eat and drink. Someone puts on a song everyone knows, and Maggie turns it up just enough. Walker and Jack argue over pool rules. Violet beats both of them without trying. Cami steals Jack’s fries, and he lets her.
At some point, Poppy shifts and curls closer, her arm sliding around my waist. I kiss the top of her head without thinking.
This is what it’s supposed to feel like.
I check my phone again. A picture pops up. Owen grinning, controller in hand, Bandit curled up next to him. Ellie’s bassinet in the background still sleeping.
Mack texts: All good here. She’s still snoozing.
I exhale with relief.
