Dad grinned. “That settles that then. Judging by my son’s reaction, you can see he’s tired of my mac and cheese, burgers and fries.”
Julie ran a hand through my hair. “What would you like for dinner?”
I licked my lips thinking of all the dishes I’d seen on the tele. “Chicken tagliatelle.”
2. Baby Blue Eyes – A Rocket To The Moon
Shay – 12 years; Skye2 hours old
“Shay, dinners on the table!”
“Coming.” Switching off my video game, I went downstairs to a steaming plate of my favorite dish, chicken tagliatelle, on the table. “Thank you.” I took my seat. She ruffled my hair before dropping a quick kiss to the top of my head. “You’re not going to eat, Mom,” I asked as she headed out the dining room.
“No, sweetheart. This little one’s been kicking up a storm.” She rubbed her stomach that looked like she’d swallowed a watermelon. “Your Dad’s going to be home in an hour or two, I want to rest up a bit for the New Year’s party tonight.”
Dad wasn’t supposed to be working but because of last minute changes to the release date of the movie, he’d been gone since Christmas eve. He promised to be back in time for the Mayor’s New Year’s Eve party up at his huge estate near the river that he invited the entire town to.
“Call me when you’re done, I’ll clear up.” She looked tired and her voice sounded heavy, like she was breathing too hard.
Smiling, I shook my head. “I’m not naughty like that kicking baby, I can wash my dishes.” Laughing, she blew me a kiss and walked away while I tucked I into my food.
Seven months ago, Dad rescued Julie from the bus stop. That night, she decided to stay with us and never left. It took me less than a month to fall more in love with her. No, not because I was an infatuated boy but because I’d never had a mom before. Mine suffered some depression after giving birth to me and one night she packed her bags and disappeared, leaving behind a three-week-old baby. I didn’t bother hating her because while Grandma, my father’s mother, occasionally helped raise me, Dad was the best mom I could ask for.
Then Julie came into our lives, all flowery scented, deep smiles and soft warm words, just for me. She treated me like her baby, spoiling me with food I’d never tasted before and always coming up with ideas to make our weekends fun. For my twelfth birthday, two months after she arrived, she baked me a big camouflage-colored cake filled with army men and tanks that had my friends envious because they all knew I loved everything about the army.
When her stomach began growing bigger by the week, Dad explained to me that Julie was pregnant and the reason why we’d found her at the bus stop. The baby’s father didn’t want her, and she had no one. He’d decided to make her a part of our family.
Three months ago, and even though the baby wasn’t his, Dad married Julie. Because he grew up in this town, most of the women knew him and hoped to marry him one day, they weren’t happy about the marriage. Even Grandma was against it.
“This is not right, Logan. What would people say when they find out you brought a woman pregnant with another man’s baby into your home and now, you’re marrying her?” Grandma had shouted when Dad went over to give her the news.
“I gave Elise the best life I could until she ran away, Mom. Enough not to wed another. But my son is twelve and he needs a mother’s touch. Julie is perfect for him, and she loves him as much as I do, if not more.” It was the first time I’d seen him angry with Grandma. “So, consider this a courtesy that I’m inviting you to my wedding. If you don’t attend, I won’t hold it against you.”
Nobody came to the small ceremony and Dad went ahead with only the pastor, Aunt Sarah, her husband Jim and me in our living room. Even though Aunt Sarah was my mom’s best friend, she was happy for Dad and Julie.
Now, I wouldn’t swap Julie for anything. She was the perfect mom, my friend and I would do anything for her. I shared more with her than I did with Dad, but he didn’t mind. He was pretty in love with her himself.
