We need to be a team.
Players on the same team need to be able to count on one another.
“Cassidy always give me my bath.” Leeland answers the question for his father. I lift one of my brows. Holy shit, Tucker, how can you not have seen this coming?
“Where are your P.J.’s Leeland?” Tucker opens the top drawer and searches until he pulls out the cutest shirt and bottoms ever. More of Bob the Builder on blue fleece.
“But we ain’t done with the story yet!” Leeland protests with his entire body tensing, outraged. As a writer, the word ‘ain’t’ sounds like fingernails on a chalkboard. But I laugh.
“Let’s get you changed and then I’ll finish the story. How’s that?”
Tucker still hasn’t said anything. Silly, stupid man. I almost believe he’s just now beginning to realize the situation he’s allowed to develop with his boys and that girl.
Leeland takes the clothing from his dad and then unselfconsciously, strips down to his Bob the Builder underwear. Tucker helps him on with his sleep shirt and pants while I set aside my frustrations and simply enjoy watching Tucker as a dad.
By the time I finish reading the story, Leeland’s half asleep, thumb tucked between his lips. I can only imagine what Tucker looked like at that age.
What my own children might someday look like.
Except, if everything works out, this child, this energetic bundle of love, will someday call me Mom.
Tucker kisses him on the forehead, turns off the lamp, and we step out of the room together.
Cassidy is waiting in the hallway. With a smile at Tucker, she moves to enter Leeland’s room. Her eyes narrow when they flicker down to Tucker’s arm around my waist.
What did she expect?
“He didn’t get his bath yet.” Her chin lifts a little, and I can’t help but feel some accusation in her words.
“Don’t you think it’s kinda late, Cass?” Tucker looks sheepish. Almost as though he’s apologizing to her.
“He was tired.” I can’t help myself. I’m not a confrontational person, but I have this alarm inside of me that goes off when I need to be.
She twists her lips, almost as though she’s deciding whether or not to accept what I’ve just said. “We did hold supper pretty late.” She moves to open the door. “I suppose I’ll just read him a story and tuck him in then.”
I’m torn about this. Yes, I want this woman away from Tucker. Preferably now. At the same time, these boys have developed an attachment to her. They’ve already lost their mother.
“Isa already did.” This from Tucker.
“But he’s looking forward to a goodnight kiss from you.” I add these last words. This situation has more mines to avoid than I’d first suspected.
“I doubt he’d fall asleep without one,” she insists. After one more longing look in Tuckers direction, she disappears behind Leeland’s bedroom door.
So.
Many.
Mines.
By tacit agreement, Tucker and I head for his room. Our room? Except I’m not there yet. I can’t even begin to think I belong until his family accepts me. They’re such a huge part of his life.
What if they never do?
I don’t even want to think about it. As long as I have Tucker’s love I’ll keep working on them.
When Tucker closes the door behind us, I can’t prevent the tension rolling off of me in waves. I’m just not that kind of person.
I don’t get upset easily, but when I do…
