“You need to come to pancake breakfast then. We know a lot,” Sadie says. “We’ll ask Daddy.”
It’s still weird to hear these two call MarcusDaddy.
I always thought when Marcus had kids that it would be with me. The picture of us as a family was so clear to me. Waking up every morning, Marcus with our son or daughter. Us together.
It was all I ever wanted.
Seeing Marcus with the girls at the carnival confirms everything I already knew. He was made to be a father.
I get plates ready for each of us, pour us some milk, and we take our seats at the table. The two of them are chatterboxes all through dinner. It takes us close to an hour to finish.
They tell me all about their favorite things—TV shows, school subjects, friends. You name it, I learn all about it. They ask me the same questions.
Knowing what I know now about these two, they are the happiest little girls in the world. Again, all thanks to their dad.
Glancing at my phone, I see a text from Marcus.
Marcus
How are they?
Harper
Great. They helped me with dinner
Did they actually help?
Sometimes they bicker more than they help
They were big helps
Talking my ear off now
That means they like you
That’s good
They’re good kids
Thanks
Means a lot
I lockmy phone and set it down, but not before seeing the time.
“I think we need to do the dishes and get ready for bed.”
“Okay.”
The girls don’t argue as they take turns on their stool to rinse off their dishes and put them in the dishwasher.
“Will you show me where your rooms are?”
Taking my hands, they lead me up the stairs. More pictures line this wall. Sam stops halfway up, pointing to a picture.
“That’s our real mommy and daddy. They’re in heaven.”
“Your dad told me.”
