“How nice. Who’s next?” Daddy asked.
“Um, Momma.‘Sweet Tae, I couldn’t have asked for a better son-in-law than you. My son chose well and I’m glad you’re a part of our family. Chuck’s dad would’ve loved you just like I do. Love, Momma’.” That one made me and Daddy both get all teary eyed.
“She’s right, you know. My dad would’ve adored you.” Daddy had no idea how much that meant to me.
“Here’s Trevor’s,‘Tae, this is seriously the coolest room ever. I’m so glad we’re the bestest of friends. The three amigos. Love, your friend, Trevor.’”
Brandon’s was right beside it. “’Tae, I can’t wait to see what you do with my playroom,’” Daddy laughed. “’Can you teach me how to draw? Love, Brandon.’”
“Short and to the point. You have very nice friends, little one and it looks like another littles room to paint.”
“I really do.”
“Alright, sweetheart, that just leaves Daddy’s splotch.”
“When did you do this?” I forgot Daddy still hadn’t done his.
“When you were outside playing. Go ahead, read it.”
“’Tae, You are the love of my life, the air that I breathe and the reason I’ve become the man that I am. There aren’t enough words to express how I feel about you. I love you today, tomorrow, and forever. Love, Daddy.’”
“Oh, Daddy,” I burst into tears and he wrapped his arms around me. “I love you so dang much.”
“Ditto, my love. Ditto.”
How was it that every time Daddy and I made love it was like the first time all over again? Multiply that by infinity because tonight, when my husband made love to me, it was compounded, deeper than it ever had been, by the love we shared and the vows we took.
10
CHUCK
“We’re almost there, I promise.” Patience wasn’t a friend of my boy’s today.
Oscar and I signed the papers on the land and as a mini honeymoon getaway, I booked the same cabin we stayed at back in February. Today, I was taking Tae to see our new place to be and share that with him.
His eyes widened as the old cabin we’d be tearing down came into view. “Oh Daddy, it’s even better than the pictures you showed me.” Glad he felt that way. “Do we get to stay here tonight?”
“No, Silly Boy. There’s nowhere to sleep and that cabin isn’t safe. But I did book the same cabin we stayed in before for a mini honeymoon.” I’d taken Monday off for a three-day weekend.
“Daddy,” hands on his hips and attitude fully present. “We got married a long time ago.”
I smacked his butt as I walked past him. “Sassy boy, it wasn’t that long ago. We never discussed a honeymoon, so I thought I’dthrow one into the mix.” Given how busy Oscar, Trey, and I have been, this was the first chance we got to getaway. “Stay out here, Daddy’s gonna make sure the cabin is empty. I don’t want you to get hurt.”
There wasn’t much in here, some trash, a broken chair, and an old blanket that had seen better days. I moved it all to the same spot, making it easier to haul out before demo started, but when I got to the old mattress I heard the faintest of cries. Carefully, I lifted it up and there they were. A mother cat who was not in good shape and three tiny newborn kittens, their eyes barely open. I grabbed a box from the trash pile and carefully scooped them up then dug through the mattress to see if there were any more. Thankfully, it was just the three.
“Daddy, what’s in there?”
I was afraid to show him and risk upsetting Tae but keeping it from him wasn’t an option. “A really sick momma cat and three babies.” Not sure Momma cat was still with us, but I’d wait for the vet to confirm.
“Oh no, Daddy. We have to save them.”
“Let’s get in the truck and take them to the vet in town and see if they can help.” Tae got himself buckled in and I handed him the box. “Hold onto the box tight, sweetheart.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll protect them, Daddy.” My sweet bighearted boy. Hopefully this didn’t turn into a traumatizing situation for him.
“Welcome to Taylor Ridge Vet Clinic, how can we help you today.”
Carefully, I set the box on top of the reception counter. “We just found these in an old cabin on the property we bought. I’m hoping you can help us make them better.” Beside me, Tae bobbed his head. Silently, I pleaded with the gal assisting us to choose the right wording.
