“Dad!” Cohen shouts again, this time practically launching himself into my arms.
I catch him, lifting him high into the air, and he lets out a peal of laughter. He’s so light, so full of joy, and I can’t help but feel arush of warmth in my chest. It hits me all at once. This little boy is mine now. Not by blood, but by every choice I’ve made leading to this moment. And with every beat of my heart that’s called him ‘son’ long before he ever asked me to.
Kenna’s eyes glisten with emotion as she bends down to hug him too. “I missed you, lovebug.”
Cohen pulls back just slightly, his face lighting up with curiosity. “You’re married now, right? Like, really married?”
I chuckle, setting him down so I can look him in the eyes. “Yeah, Cohen. We’re really married.”
Kenna ruffles his hair, her smile brighter than ever. “And now we’re all a family.”
The way he looks between the two of us, like he’s trying to process everything in one moment, makes my heart swell. Then, without missing a beat, he asks, “Are you really my dad now?”
Time slows. His question slices through the air not with fear, not even with doubt. Just need. A simple, hopeful need. I feel the full weight land on my chest. He’s not asking for legal confirmation. He’s asking for my heart.
I drop to one knee in front of him, my hands on his shoulders. “I’ll always be your dad. No matter what.”
And I mean it with every fiber of my being. Every scar I carry, every ounce of love I have left to give. It’s his now, theirs.
Cohen wraps his arms around me again, tight. “Best day ever!” he exclaims, and his words send a rush of joy straight through me.
Kenna steps closer, tears in her eyes as she watches us, her heart in her gaze. She takes my hand, her fingers trembling just slightly, and we both look down at Cohen, our hearts full of love for him. The three of us, stitched together not by perfection but by choice. Chosen again and again, in every moment that mattered.
This is what we’ve always dreamed of, and now it’s real.
We head inside. The door swings open to reveal the rest of the family. It’s chaos in the best way possible. Her parents are sittingtogether on the couch, and Millie is holding baby Mars in her arms, the newborn’s tiny, perfect face hidden against her chest. Gabriel is next to her, a big smile on his face as he watches his two little girls. Lucie stands by the door, greeting us with a soft smile, and Reuben and Asher are sitting at the table halfway through some brother banter.
As soon as we walk in, Millie’s eyes immediately find Kenna, and a huge grin spreads across her face. “You did it! You’re married!” She jumps up and hugs Kenna tightly, her excitement palpable. “I’m so happy for you.”
Kenna laughs and wipes away a few happy tears. “It’s still sinking in. I can’t believe it’s real.”
Gabriel stands up and pulls me into a hug. “Welcome to the family, Cole. We’re all glad to have you.”
It’s a simple gesture, but there’s a weight to it. Gabriel’s approval isn’t handed out lightly, and I feel the warmth of it settle into my bones.
Lucie gives me a warm smile and then hugs Kenna. “You’re both family now,” she says, her voice steady, but full of love.
Reuben and Asher both stand and walk over, giving me firm, friendly handshakes. Then they pull Kenna into a hug, and Reuben says with a wink, “It’s about time.”
Asher laughs and pats my shoulder. “Good to see you finally take the plunge.”
I look around at everyone gathered here. Millie, Gabriel, Reuben, Asher, Lucie, and even the two little ones. It hits me all over again just how much I’ve wanted this. The chaos, the love, the laughter—it’s everything. Kenna, Cohen, and this family. They are everything.
Then Cohen, who’s been bouncing between us all, suddenly looks up with wide eyes, his excitement palpable. “Guess what? My birthday’s coming up, and I’m having a boat party! With pizza, and swimming in the lake! It’s going to be so cool!”
Kenna laughs, looking at him with amusement. “Sounds like a perfect plan, buddy. We’ll make it happen.”
Millie crouches down beside him, her eyes twinkling. “You know, I think I could help with that. A boat party? That sounds amazing.”
“A boat party!” Aura, who’s just two years old, giggles from Millie’s arms. She’s still a little young to understand the full concept, but she’s catching on to the excitement in the room.
Mars, still cradled in Millie’s arms, sleeps soundly. Her little face is soft and peaceful as she nestles closer to her mother’s chest. Gabriel gently pats her back, his smile softening as he watches his newborn daughter.
The family continues to talk and laugh, the air thick with joy and love. I glance over at Kenna, who’s looking back at me with a soft smile. I catch her eye, and in that moment, I realize that this is where I belong. Right here. With her. With Cohen. With all of them.
And it hits me again. It’s not just that we’re married, not just that I’ve joined this family, but that we’re building something here. Something lasting. Something whole.
I slip my hand into hers, and as we join the conversation, I know that nothing in this world can ever take away this feeling.
