She swats my leg, smiling as tears gather in her lashes. “I’m serious.”
“I know.” My voice softens. “And I hear you.”
She nods once and wipes her cheek.
I tilt her chin up with my fingers. “Hey. We’ll get better at slowing down. I promise. And say something next time, before you start feeling this far away from me.”
She bites her lip, emotional in a way that makes me want to pull her into my lap and hold her for an hour.
“Okay,” she whispers.
I lean forward and kiss her slowly. Not rushed, not distracted…really kiss her.
When I pull back, her eyes flutter open.
“There,” I murmur. “A start.”
She laughs through her tears.
The twins coo at the same time, like they’re talking to each other.
Megan sniffles, smiling softer now. “Okay. I’m better. Thank you.”
“Good,” I say, brushing a hand against her back.
* * *
“You boys might have to build me another piece for the table,” Mom jokes, looking at all the kids.
We already built an extension piece for Mom for Christmas, us boys, and she cried. She loved it. We all fit—for now. I don’t know how it’ll be once the girls are in seats. Plus, Addison’s already got another one in the oven. Another boy, due in July.
“Well, there won’t be any more from us.” Karissa nudges Cody. “Tell ’em, honey.”
He clears his throat. “Oh, I’m getting snipped next month.”
A round ofoohs and laughter travels the table.
Ella doesn’t miss a beat. “Wow. Maybe you should take notes, Jess.”
“No, thank you,” Jesse says, leaning back like the king of confidence. “We’re not done.”
Ella’s eyes widen. “Iamdone.”
“Yeah,” Jesse shrugs. “Today. You’ll change your mind next week.”
She scoffs. “No, I won’t. You’re just blaming me because you’re scared.”
“It’s not even a big deal,” Cody cuts in, waving his fork. “All they do is make two little incisions right in the—”
Jesse quickly holds up a hand. “Stop.”
The table erupts again.
Dad chimes in through his laugh, “Keep a couple bags of frozen peas in the freezer, Karissa.”
Cody blinks. “For what?”
Mom leans forward, trying not to smile. “Well, sweetheart…you’re gonna be a little sore.”
