Isla finally releases her father’s hair, and I swear I catch a flicker of mischief curve across her cheeks, like she already enjoys taunting her dad. I lift her in front of me and pull a ridiculous face, and she rewards me with an adorable, gummy smile.
She’s the perfect blend of Jason and Mila—her mother’s smile and dark curls mixed with her father’s nose and mossy green eyes.
Isla’s conception came as a complete surprise. Jason and Mila had only just moved in together, and Jason’s ex-wife’s court case was still unfolding when Mila discovered she was pregnant. The timing may not have been ideal, but Isla was loved—deeply and without question, from the moment she existed. And watching my best friend step into fatherhood for the second time is a joy I know I’ll never grow tired of.
“I’ll put her down for her nap, and then we can talk,” Jason says as he stands.
I nod and gently pass the baby to him. She curls into his arms immediately, rubbing at her eyes as a yawn slips free. The small, familiar gesture reminds me so much of Ari—how she used to grow heavy with sleep, and how I’d carry her to her cot and linger, watching as she drifted off. She’d always been an easy sleeper, out the moment her head met the mattress.
She’d be about twenty-months now—a toddler, walking and talking, no doubt getting into all kinds of mischief. It’s been more than a year and a half since I last saw her, butevery now and then, she finds her way back to me in the quiet moments when I’m holding Isla, or when I catch sight of a baby out in public.
I quickly shake the thoughts away before the ache in my chest can fully settle—still there, but softer now, no longer as sharp as it once was.
Jason walks back into the living room minutes later, having now changed into a fresh shirt and tracksuit pants. He looks exhausted, like he could use a nap himself, courtesy of life with a newborn, but he insists he’s fine. All he wants is a boys’ night in after taking a few weeks off work to help Mila care for the baby.
Chris, Jason’s bar manager at the restaurant, is joining us tonight to watch the footy, eat pizza and knock back a few beers, or in my case, nurse a couple of non-alcoholic drinks.
I’ve been sober for the past fifteen months. The last time I had a drink was around last June. Though my sessions with Dr. Carroll have eased from weekly to fortnightly, I’m doing surprisingly well.
The urge to drink has all but vanished; if anything, the thought of alcohol now twists my stomach, a sharp reminder of how far I’ve come, and how far I still intend to go.
“When will Mila be back from the night markets with Jake?” I ask.
“In a few hours. She’s taking him to the movies afterwards—just wanting a little extra time with him. She feels guilty that the past few weeks have been all about the baby and doesn’t want him to feel left out or ignored.”
“She’s such an amazing mum.”
“She’s incredible—with both our kids. It comes so naturally to her, and she surprises me more each day with how well she’s managing everything. I can’t fucking wait to marry her.”
It had only been a week ago, when Jason popped the question to Mila in their backyard. He blindfolded her and led her along a trail of rose petals to the far end of the pool, where a large, glowingMarry Mesign stood waiting. Behind it, a wall of fairy lights shimmered, flowers cascading like some enchanted forest. It was a deeply intimate moment, shared only with the kids. Though Isla was far too young to understand what was happening, Jake was every bit as excited, even offering Mila five reasons why she should say yes to marrying his dad.
It turns out Mila didn’t need much convincing. She said yes without hesitation. And now my best friend is getting hitched, and I couldn’t be happier for him. Even though my relationship with my ex-sister-in-law remains rocky, I’m glad she’s finally found happiness after everything she’s been through. She deserves to be with a man like Jason, someone who, no matter what, would scorch the earth for her.
The doorbell echoes through the living room, and Jason immediately goes to answer it. A minute later, he returns with Chris in tow, balancing three boxes of pizza in his arms.
“Alright fellas! Who’s hungry?”
“I’m famished,” Jason replies, patting his stomach. “I’ll get us some beers, and what about you, Kaden? I’ve got an apple and blackcurrant juice box and a can of cola?”
“I’ll take the cola, thanks.”
He nods, then disappears into the kitchen, just as Chris sets the pizzas on the coffee table.
“What did I miss,” Chris asks.
“Nothing much, unless you count Isla trying to give Jase a new hairdo.”
He looks at me in confusion.
“She went for a fistful of his hair again,” I explain. “I’m surprised he still has a head full of hair with the way she’s always grabbing at it.”
“Oh, yes. I’ve been a victim of that too. That little one’s got some serious arm strength.”
I let out a soft laugh just as Jason walks back in, carrying two Coronas and a can of cola.
“What’s so funny?” Jason asks as he hands us our drinks and drops down onto the seat beside me.
“Your daughter and her super Amazonian strength,” Chris murmurs.
