The entire night, Kayla plays the perfect wife. It catches me off guard to have her so eager to go along with being introduced this way. I thought she might be upset that I was telling everyone, but she isn’t. She stays up against my side, resting her hand on my chest. She even let me gently kiss her cheek and brush my hand over her side.
There is a certain quiet intimacy in the small moments between our conversations with other people. It reminds me of when we used to roam around the city, sipping carryout coffee and pretending like we knew what people were talking about or thinking. We’d make up wild stories and laugh until we cried.
Tonight, we present as a power couple. This is exactly the image I wanted to portray. This is exactly the message I wanted to send to everyone in attendance. And from here, the news will spread. Everyone will learn that she is my wife. And lo and behold, the next person who dares to threaten her harm in any way whatsoever will be torn limb from limb and hung in naked in the docks as a warning to others.
There is nothing I wouldn’t do for her.
Next to me, Kayla tries to hide a small yawn by covering her hand over her mouth.
“Bored?” I ask in a whisper.
She grins and shakes her head. “No, actually, I was having fun. But yesterday’s celebrations and today’s event—I’m not used to getting out so much. Usually, I’m home at this time, snuggled up with the twins.”
“I miss them, too. Are you ready to go? I think we’ve done enough mingling for one event,” I ask.
She smiles, her eyes glowing with warmth. “Yes, I’m ready to go.”
I place my hand on her lower back and lead her with me towards the front door. Along the way, we say goodbye to my brother and sister. Alara looks about ready to go home soon, too. “It’s boring, isn’t it’s it?” she whispers to Kayla when they hug.
“I had fun,” Kayla replies.
“Pfft,” Alara scoffs. “They could have at least played better music. Isaak, can we leave soon, too?”
“After this drink,” he says, nodding.
We leave them to their own devices and climb into the back of the limo, waiting to be taken home.
The drive home is quiet, but it’s a different kind of quiet.
There are many unspoken things between us, but there is also a peaceful sense of comfort. And something else—perhaps trust?—growing between us.
I can hope.
I mean, yesterday she did finally tell our daughters who I am. It caught me completely by surprise. Even now, I am in shock that she did that. My heart constricts and swells when I think about it. I didn’t expect it to affect me too much. But that moment is engraved in my memory, and will always be one of the most beautiful moments in my life.
I am a father.
I get tobea father.
The driver stops outside the front door of the mansion and pulls the door open for me. I climb out first, then offer my hand to Kayla.
She gently takes my hand and slides over the seat with a beautiful smile on her face.
Inside the house, she whispers, “Let’s go check on them,” and we walk quietly up the stairs together towards the twins' room.
There is a warm pink glow coming from their nightlight. Kira is all tangled in her blankets as though she were trying to climb them. Kelsey is wrapped up like a little worm in a cocoon.
Kayla bends over Kelsey and gently kisses her forehead while I carefully, slowly untangle Kira and tuck the blankets in around her again.
“They are the most precious things on this planet,” Kayla whispers as I come to stand next to her. I nod, slipping my arm around her waist as I have become so used to doing this evening.
“They make life far more beautiful,” I agree.
We walk out of their room together. I turn to her and gently kiss her cheek, knowing I won’t push my luck tonight. Everything is going so well. I know that the other night was a lot for her, and I have to respect that she isn’t ready to be with me again.
Not yet.
Kayla hesitates right outside their door. She bites her lip and then looks up at me. “Sorry, this is a little awkward….”
