“Oh.”
“Oh?”
“Mommy and Ryan share a room, why don’t you and Abby?”
Now I just chuckle. And thank the twisted divorce gods that made my ex-wife actually make this easy for me.
“You are right. Abby and I will share a room just like your mommy and Ryan.”
Theo then ignores me as he takes another big gulp of his sundae.
Meanwhile, I pull my phone out to text Abby.
Me: Mission accomplished.
Abby: Yay! How did it go?
Me: Perfect. Even scored points by throwing in where you will sleep.
Abby: Oh yeah? Where is that?
Me: Under me or on me, your choice?
Abby: Must I commit to one?
I love her answers just like I love her.
Yeah… that finally hits me.
19
ABBY
The past few weeks have been easy and smooth. I met Lucas’s ex-wife, which actually was quite civil, and the hour seemed to pass a lot easier than I expected. She didn’t give me any warnings and did her best to keep it a normal conversation. I couldn’t help having internal pain as, even though she and Lucas are history, it felt like instinct to compare. We are opposites, that’s for sure. Both in looks and personality. And maybe it is that fact that only confirms that everything is different with Lucas. There is nothing reminiscent of his past relationship. We are something unique.
We’re finding a routine when Theo visits, and when Theo isn’t around then Lucas and I continue to get closer. I feel it in my bones, I feel it in my blood. Most of all, I feel it in my heart. Every day we move forward, and my heart grows more.
“Okay. My eyes are covered,” I promise Lucas as he tightens the blindfold around my eyes. He takes my hands to guide me through the hall to what I assume is the dining table.
“Now, whatever happens, just remember that we tried,” Lucas whispers, and it makes me already need to laugh. Already I can hear Theo jumping up and down in the distance.
“Here she is,” Lucas calls out to Theo.
I feel Lucas gently push me onto a chair.
“Ready,” Lucas says out loud, and I can feel his hands beginning to untie the soft dark blindfold.
“Surprise,” Lucas and Theo exclaim.
My eyes slowly open and right away I am greeted with a cake that had sprinkles explode on it and chocolate icing that looks like Romeo got to it. The cake is lopsided too. But I don’t care. This is the best birthday cake ever.
“Happy birthday,” Lucas says before kissing my cheek, meanwhile Theo is holding his arms out to display his baking skills.
“Wow. Did you make this?” I ask Theo who smiles proudly. “It looks like the best cake ever!”
“Make a wish,” he insists.
I don’t even know where to begin on the wishes front, but I think of something before blowing the candles out and having Theo clap his hands as he jumps up and down.
