Well… that’s one way to rip the Band-Aid off, I suppose.
I was planning on letting Clint know in a much better, calmer fashion that I’d talk to Charlie today, but it’s too late for that now.
Clint stops in his tracks, his face softening at the sound of Charlie’s words. His eyes meet mine, a silent question hanging between us. But I nod, everything finally lifting.
Clint kneels down, pulling Charlie into his arms. It’s just the two of them, the world quiet around them. And then Clint looks up. “I’m your daddy, huh? Well, I’m glad you know, little man.”
Charlie nods, his face glowing. “Yeah! And I get to see you all the time!”
Clint laughs, the sound deep and genuine. “You sure do.”
I stand back, letting them have their moment. It’s everything I’ve hoped for, everything I’ve dreamed of for Charlie. But something shifts inside me, too.
Watching Clint with him, seeing how easily it all falls into place, I’m finally starting to let go of the fear that’s been holding me back.
“You know, Charlie, I was just thinking about firing up the grill…”
Charlie turns to me, his eyes wide with excitement. “Mom! Can we stay?”
I laugh, shaking my head. “Sure, we can. Sounds good.”
Clint claps Charlie on the back. “You got it, buddy. Let’s get some food on that grill.”
The three of us head toward the grill. Reid and Sawyer are already there, organizing burgers and talking smack about who’s the better cook.
Clint’s strides are long and confident, but there’s a certain mischievousness in his step that tells me he’s already planning to take charge.
“You know, I was thinking of grilling,” Clint says over his shoulder, a teasing smile creeping onto his face. “But I’m sure you two are just dying to show off.”
Reid grins, slapping a burger patty onto the grill with an exaggerated flair. “Oh, Clint, if you’re cooking, we might need to back up a little. Don’t want to get caught in the smoke storm you’re about to create.”
Sawyer chuckles, running a hand through his messy hair. “Yeah, we might need to stand by with the fire extinguisher.”
Clint laughs, unbothered. “You guys just stay over there and let a real pro handle this.”
Charlie, still practically vibrating with excitement, looks up at Clint with the biggest grin.
“I wanna help!” he says, bouncing on his toes.
Clint’s eyes soften as he looks down at Charlie. “You bet, buddy. You can be my official taste-tester.”
Charlie nods enthusiastically. To him, this is the most important job he could have been given. “I’m the best at tasting things!”
I watch as Clint hands Charlie a spatula, and the two of them stand side by side by the grill, Clint showing Charlie how to flip the patties.
It’s a simple thing, but seeing Clint like this, all focused and patient, reminds me of how much he’s changed in just the short time we’ve been back. I catch myself smiling.
“Alright, alright,” Clint says, after a few minutes of sizzling meat and the occasional chuckle from Reid and Sawyer. “I think it’s time to add some seasoning.”
He grabs the salt and pepper shakers, flicking them with an almost theatrical flourish. I’m about to warn him when—whoosh!—a cloud of black smoke rises from the grill.
Sawyer jumps back, laughing. “Well, there goes the flavor of the day.”
Charlie, eyes wide, looks from the grill to Clint and then back at me. “Is it supposed to do that?”
“Uh…” Clint scratches the back of his neck, clearly trying to hide his grin. “Maybe not exactly. Let’s just say the seasoning might’ve been a little too eager.”
Charlie giggles, and Clint kneels beside him again, rubbing his head.
