“Uh-oh, Mommy.”
Alie reaches for a napkin at the same time I do, and our fingers touch. She looks at me and smiles in offering, but I pull my hand back. I’m not sure if Sera would want me to help yet.
So, I watch as she tries to help her mom clean her shirt, only to make a much bigger mess, making me laugh before I can stop it.
She freezes and looks at me. Then she starts laughing, too, and I’m done for.
After she’s cleaned up—the best Alie can get her anyway—we finish our lunch, listening to Sera tell me about her favorite color, her school, and her eyes light up when she asks me about football.
So, I talk to her about throwing the ball to different players in the easiest way I can explain my job. And she just stares at me the whole time, like what I’m saying is the best thing ever.
Once she finishes her last nugget, she starts to rub her eyes.
“I think someone is ready for a rest.” Alie stands and starts to clear the table.
“No nap, Mommy.” She pouts.
“Yes, you need to rest just for a little bit because we have to go to Mimi and Poppy’s later for dinner.”
“Oh, cake!”
“Yes, we’ll have cake for my birthday.”
Taking this as my cue to leave, I stand and join Alie in the kitchen to help clean up.
“I got this,” she says, trying to wave me off.
“I like helping.” I look down at her and smile. “Thanks for lunch.”
“Of course.”
“Mommy, down.”
I look over at Seraphina, and she’s wiggling in her seat.
“Go ahead. I’ll finish cleaning this up,” I say, nodding toward Sera.
“Thanks,” she says, smiling.
I take care of the dishes and trash, then meet them in the family room.
As much as I would love to stay and just be near her—and if I’m honest, Alie too—I think it’s time for me to go.
Sera wiggles out of Alie’s arms and over to me.
“You come back?” She looks up at me with her big brown eyes.
“Yeah,” I say. “If that’s okay with you.”
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes, we play football.”
I can’t help but laugh, and I look over at Alie, who’s watching us, eyes a little watery.
“We can absolutely do that the next time I see you.”
“Sera, you’ll get to see Liam on the field at practice on Monday.”
Sera claps her hands. “Yay!”
