“Is Hallie eating the meat?” Cora demands.
Ella nods patiently. “Yup. You eat it too.”
Cora narrows her eyes like Hallie is a threat to her. She looks from Hallie’s tray to her own plate, visibly doubting the whole system. Kids are all the same, I swear. Even at seven. I get the same thing in my classroom. “Miss Keller, did Charlie finish his worksheet? Because he’s coloring…” And then I have to remind them to mind their own business in the nicest way possible. Ten times a day.
Time passes quickly in that comfortable, noisy rhythm.
Maureen disappears for a second and returns carrying the cake, candles flickering unevenly in the breeze from the open window.
Emma’s eyes widen.
Hallie immediately kicks her feet like she knows something exciting is happening.
And at the same time, everyone’s launching into “Happy Birthday” in an uncoordinated chorus—some low, some high, some way too loud.
Emma looks around the table with a borderline panicked expression, like she’s not sure if she should smile or cry. Cody leans in closer, gives her hand a gentle squeeze, and she relaxes instantly.
He’s a great dad. You’d never know Emma wasn’t his biological daughter. He treats her like she’s his whole world.
Hallie, who’s not even one yet, is now perched in Ella’s lap with her bottom lip already trembling. By the time the song hits the last line, her little pout gives way to a full cry, loud enough that half the table cracks up midserenade.
It’s loud and messy but perfect, all at the same time.
* * *
We’re all piled into the living room like usual.Dukes of Hazzardhums in the background, drowned out by baby squeals and the buzz of conversation. Addison’s got Cora and Emma in a circle on the rug, trying to teach them Duck, Duck, Goose. Wesley’s already down there with them, sitting crisscross, a toddler on each side of him.
“We need another person! Mason, come on,” Addison calls, waving him over.
He just grunts, sinking deeper against the couch beside me. “Don’t feel like it.”
“Ugh, party pooper.” Addison rolls her eyes and pivots. “Jesse. Your turn.”
“This oughta be good,” Cody mutters with a grin.
Jesse sighs but lowers himself to the rug across from Wes. Both girls cheer, thrilled to have him join.
“Alright.” Addison claps. “Cross your legs.”
“I can’t cross my legs,” Jesse says, trying and failing to bend into place.
“Neither can I,” Wesley shrugs, legs perfectly folded and calm as ever. “But here I am.”
We all laugh as Jesse keeps fumbling, looking like he’s wrestling with himself. Addison flicks the brim of Wesley’s hat. “Don’t be a smart aleck. Jesse, just bend your knees.”
He grunts.
“Sit, Daddy!” Cora demands, clapping impatiently. Emma watches with big eyes, quiet and reserved, but it’s obvious she’s silently judging.
“Yeah, I’m trying, sweetheart.” Jesse groans. “Daddy’s legs don’t bend like yours.”
“Oh, Jess, c’mon. You’re not that stiff,” Ella calls from the couch, arms crossed but laughing.
“Yes I am, Ella,” Jesse fires back, his voice cracking as he tries to keep from toppling over.
Wesley, totally straight-faced, goes, “Once they go numb, it gets easier.”
That does it. We all break. Laughter fills the room as Jesse slumps further, finally giving up and sitting there with his legs half-bent while Wesley sits across from him looking perfectly comfortable. When their eyes meet, both crack up, cackling at how ridiculous they look.
