“I talked to Clem just now,” Hugo enlightens me as he pulls me down in the chair beside him.“Once Nate tore out of there, everyone pretty much clued in to what was going on, so he kept them busy and turned it into a welcome baby party.They’re drinking our booze and eating our food while placing bets on time, weight, and gender, and waiting to get the news.”
That would explain why it’s just us here.
“They were going to drink our booze and eat our food anyway,” I point out.
“True enough.”
Hugo pulls me closer, his arm around my shoulders as his hand rubs my biceps.
“How areyou?”
I hear a touch of concern in his voice and I know what he’s asking.
“I’m good.I’m so grateful I got to witness that.It’s an experience I’ll never forget.I feel blessed.”
“Hmm,” he hums, resting his cheek on top of my head.“I’m glad.”
That’s how Carson finds us five minutes later, when he walks in with three paper bags from the Bread & Butter Diner.
“Geeze, Buddy.How hungry are you?”Hugo scoffs.
“Not just for me, I figured everyone would be hungry.”
What a great kid he is.
He sets the food on the small coffee table and drops down in a chair on the other side, digging up a burger.Only after his first bite, he clues in his girlfriend isn’t here.
“Where’s Tate?”
I can’t hold back a chuckle, it’s so typical.
“In the room to greet her brother,” Hugo informs him matter-of-factly.
“Shit, already?I’m glad it’s a boy, that’s what Tate was hoping for.”
A seriously great kid.
I lean back and glance up at Hugo, who is also looking at his son, that little half smile showing his pride.
Yeah…I’m blessed beyond belief.
Tessa
“Mo-om!Remi’s been in there for half an hour.I’ve gotta get ready!”
I swear I’m about to start drinking and it’s not even eight in the morning.
Love my kids, but they sure wear me down.
“Use my bathroom, Linc,” I yell up the stairs.
I’m not sure what’s gotten into my youngest boy, Remi, recently.A few months ago, it would’ve been a chore to get him to brush his teeth or, God forbid, have the occasional shower, but lately he’s been spending a lot of time in there.
Must be a girl.It was the same for his older brother, Lincoln, who went from looking like Pigpen and reeking like a gym locker most of the time, to clean-clothed and smelling fresh.Maybe a little heavy on the Axe, but definitely better than the scent of dirty socks.
Remi wasn’t quite that bad—he’s not into sports and athletics like his brother—but I was still relieved when he voluntarily took a shower a few weeks ago without me badgering him.I made the mistake of asking him what had prompted it—forgetting the unspoken parenting rule to never point out the desired behavior—and got my head bitten off in response.
Still, I’m focusing on the silver lining.For the first time since puberty hit our house years ago, I can breathe freely again.Offering up what I’ve come to treasure as my personal sanctuary for the sake of peace in the house is a small sacrifice.
