I get a full whiff of sweat mixed with the smell of warm September air and wood.
I wrinkle my nose. “Hmm. On second thought…”
He hums with a teasing grin. “That’s what I thought.” He kisses me quickly before heading back out to the yard.
Twenty minutes later, I’m headed up to Cody and Karissa’s place, just like we planned. I decide to walk. It’s too nice out not to, and I could use the exercise—and maybe the quiet before stepping into someone else’s chaos.
Cody opens the door before I even get the chance to knock.
He looks worn. The kind of tired that’s settled deep in his bones.
Gage is up on his shoulder where a spit-up rag is draped. He’s two and a half months old but is starting to look like his own little person now. His head is lifted just slightly as he stares over Cody’s shoulder at Emma. She’s perched on a stool at the counter, spoon in hand, clearly fascinated with herself.
“Hi,” I say softly, stepping inside.
“Hey—” Cody starts.
“And see! Watch, Daddy! See how I eat it like this?” Emma announces proudly, demonstrating with exaggerated seriousness.
Cody glances over his shoulder. “I see, Em. Good job.” His voice is tired but gentle.
He shuts the door behind me, and I take a few more steps inside. That’s when I see the mess.
I don’t think I’ve ever seen their house like this.
The sink is full of dishes and they’re lining the counter too. Plates, cups, bottles. The counters are cluttered with everything and nothing at the same time: a phone cord, cookbooks, rags, baby bibs, bottle caps. Toys cover the floor—baby doll accessories, stuffed animals, dollhouse people. Two laundry baskets sit by the kitchen table, one dumped out on top like someone started folding and just…couldn’t finish.
The couch pillows are on the floor. Blankets half dragged off. Kids’ books are scattered across the coffee table. Gage’s play mat is flipped upside down, the swing still gently rocking like someone forgot to turn it off.
My chest tightens.
“Karissa’s been in our room all day,” Cody says quietly, like he doesn’t want the walls to hear him.
“Okay.” I nod, already slipping my shoes off. “That’s fine. What do you need from me?”
“If you can take the kids,” he says quickly, “I’ll clean up. I just—” He adjusts Gage slightly. “He’s fussy, and I don’t want her hearing him.”
“Of course.” I set my purse down and reach for Gage without hesitation.
Emma’s already talking my ear off, something about a show she watched or a book she read with Cody, I’m not totally sure. I lower myself onto the stool beside her while she eats, shifting Gage into my arms.
He immediately scrunches his face. Oh no. I freeze.
“Up,” Cody says gently. “He likes to be up.”
“Right. Okay.” I stand back up, repositioning him over my shoulder the way Cody had him, giving him a soft bounce.
He settles instantly, and I let out a breath of relief.
Cody moves fast after that, picking up toys, starting in the living room before moving toward the kitchen table. He doesn’t say much, just works. Like he’s trying to outrun something.
Emma chatters beside me, completely unaware. Gage sighs against my shoulder, warm and heavy and content.
And it’s strange, sitting here with my heart so set on wanting this. The noise, the mess, the full house. Wanting it so badly it sometimes aches.
While just upstairs, Karissa is feeling the exact opposite.
I get Gage to sleep, and Cody transfers him to his crib, the monitor buzzing softly on the counter. A show plays quietly for Emma while I help with the dishes, the sink finally clearing.
