“We were in the Army together. He was the squad leader. My sergeant, in fact.” I leaned in close and stage-whispered, “Now he’s just my friend and can’t order me around anymore.”
Dylan looked at Liam with big eyes, impressed. “Are you sure you don’t have gigantism? How tall are you?” he asked.
Liam laughed. “I’m six feet, six inches tall.”
Dylan gave him a disappointed look. “You’re not a giant,then. You have to be seven feet tall to be a giant. Did you get hurt too? Is that why you aren’t in the Army anymore?”
“Dylan, maybe they don’t want to talk about that right now,” Dahlia said softly.
“It’s okay,” I said. “We both got hurt.” I exchanged a look with Liam, unsure of how to explain what happened and make it palatable to a child.
“A vehicle we were in drove over something that exploded, called an IED,” Liam told him. He had been knocked unconscious by the blast, while I had been thrown clear of the vehicle, injuring my back.
“Liam and I got hurt, but we were still lucky. Our other friends were not. We were the only ones who survived.” I choked on the lump that formed in my throat as I remembered the men we had lost that day.
Dylan got up and hugged each of us. “I’m glad you both are okay. I’m sorry about your friends. You must miss them a lot. I miss my best friend, Mikey, and he’s just in Tacoma with Uncle Trevor.” He thought for a minute. “You can’t see your friends anymore, but they still love you. Just like my dad Will still loves me from heaven.”
Liam discreetly scrubbed his hand under his eyes, then said, “I’m going to get a coffee. I’ll get yours too, Luke. Lily, Dahlia?” he asked.
Mom gestured to her coffee on the table. “I have one already, darling.” She smiled softly at him.
“I had my caffeine for the day, thanks, Liam,” Lily answered, eyes full of compassion.
Mom sighed. “I love you boys and I’m glad you’re finally home where you belong. Bring Liam with you to my house for dinner Sunday, Luke. And every other Sunday too for that matter,” she demanded. “Six o’clock, like usual.”
“Dinner at your house is something I’ll never turn down. Thank you, Dahlia,” I answered, thankful to her for changing the subject.
“Yay! Can we have hot dogs, Grandma? Oh, oh, oh, bring Rocky!” Dylan said.
“Will do.” I chuckled. My laugh must have alerted Calla to my presence because she chose this moment to wake up and fuss.
Lily took her from Dahlia and cuddled her close. “It’s time. Are you ready to eat some big girl food?” She placed Calla into the little highchair at the side of our table and strapped her in. “Do you want to do the honors, big brother?” She grinned at Dylan and offered him a tiny spoon.
“This food looks gross and mushy. What is it?” he asked as Lily fastened Calla’s bib around her neck.
“Baby cereal. Put a little bit on the spoon and be gentle,” she instructed. “Wait for me to get my camera ready.”
Dylan scooped up a tiny bite and brought it to her lips. Calla stuck her tongue out, and it dripped onto her bib. We all laughed at the cute face she made. But she seemed to like the taste because she licked her lips and smacked them. He shrugged and handed the spoon to me, clearly more interested in his chocolate milk than feeding his baby sister.
“Can I try?” My hand trembled as I scooted closer to Calla’s highchair. I’d never fed a baby before, or even held one. I inhaled a huge breath, thinking of all I’d missed out on with Dylan.
Lily’s eyes met mine and she nodded while blinking furiously. I knew she was about to cry; that had always been her tell. I wanted to hold her. I wished we had shared this moment alone years ago, when Dylan was a baby. But we had this moment, right now. It was just as important, and I was grateful for it.
I dipped into the bowl and brought a small spoonful to Calla’s lips. She opened and I marveled as her little mouth moved to lap up the food. She managed to swallow about half of it, and the rest dribbled down her chin. I scooped it back upand she opened her mouth again. “She likes it.” I dipped into the bowl again to give her another bite.
I looked up with a start when Nick stopped in front of Lily bearing a plate filled with tiny scones.
“Thank you, Nick,” she said with a bemused smile.
“You’re welcome. These are chocolate.” He placed it in front of her with a sage nod. He exchanged a look with a smiling Dahlia before he walked off. Clearly, he knew about Lily and her propensity toward stress eating.
“Come on, Dylan. Let’s go check out the pastry case. I want a muffin.” Dahlia took Dylan’s hand and led him to the counter. She winked at me behind Lily’s back. I would not throw away this moment alone with Lily.
Lily picked up a scone and took a huge bite. Calla sputtered and giggled as she dribbled the cereal down her chin and onto her bib. I smiled at her sweet face and wiped her mouth with a napkin.
“Ba. Da. Ma,” babbled Calla. She pounded her tiny fists on the tray of her chair before reaching her arms up to me.
“Can I?” I asked Lily. I was nervous but determined.
