We tell each other goodnight, and I get ready for bed with tears spilling and a stupid smile on my face.
He called me ‘Dad.’
Joker: I’m home. Just getting cleaned up.
The text sends tingles through my body, and my stomach dips, which makes me smile. It’s been a long time since I’ve been excited to see someone like I am for Calvin.
Me: I’ll swing by with Braeden and bring him home.
Joker: Thanks! See you soon, babe.
I give Calvin an hour to get himself sorted, then head over to his place with the kids.
I knock on his door,and when he opens it, I expect a hug or something. Instead, he smiles brightly, lifts Emily into his arms, and pulls Braeden into a hug with his free arm.
Holy crap. I think I’m in love. How does something so small, like holding my toddler, set my heart racing?
Despite my joy with Calvin now home, I thought Braeden would also lighten up or be happier, but he’s still looking morose. It’s concerning, but I’ll talk to Calvin about it later.
“What? Don’t I get one? I feel so left out,” I say.
He chuckles, tickles Emily, then puts her down and hugs my sons. That little stinker. I know he’s doing it on purpose, although I love that he’s giving my kids attention.
“Aww, do you need a hug, too, Tiger?”
My boys snigger at the nickname as I roll my eyes. “Oh, no. Wouldn’t want to put you out, Joker.”
He grins again and yanks me into a tight hug before kissing my cheek. “I missed you.”
I melt and hug him back. “I missed you, too.”
We head inside, and there’s already food waiting for us. “I ordered some Chinese. I hope that’s okay.”
“It’s more than okay. Thank god, I don’t have to cook.”
“Hey, I’m good for some things.”
I chuckle. “You’re good at a lot of things.”
He leans close and says, “It just doesn’t feel complete when you talk and leave off calling me a ‘dumb butt.’”
“Psh, that’s the old Seth.”
I grab his arm as a wave of seriousness crashes over me. He’s been through so much recently. “How are you holding up? Really?”
He presses his palm to my face. “I’m fine. I’ve got so much on my plate, but I’ll get through it.”
We head into the kitchen, and I help him open the takeout containers and pull down some plates. I give a spring roll to Emily, so she’ll sit there quietly and eat.
After dinner, we all go back to my house so my kids can bathe and get ready for bed, while Braeden stays at Calvin’s. We snuggle on the sofa, my head resting on his shoulder. We sip wine, and he tells me about his mom and everything he needs to get done, that he has to go back in a couple of weeks for the funeral. He had to reach out to family members he didn’t even know and her co-workers to tell them she’d died.
“I have no idea if any will show up. Mom was estranged from her family. I’ll never know now what transpired and why she was so isolated from them.”
“If any family shows up, you can always ask.”
“True enough.”
“I have a confession to make,” I tell him.
