I watch as my fork scrapes across the plate while Eli listens like every word Amber says is the most important thing he’s heard all day. Walker interjects with science project ideas she could do. I offer my help to piece things together, especially if she’s going to go the electrical route.
I love electricity projects.
Lia mostly watches, though. Sometimes she laughs. Sometimes she leans back and sits there.
I want to know what’s going through her head.
“Oh, man. I’m stuffed,” Amber says as she leans back and rubs her little belly.
I chuckle as I stand and gather everyone’s dishes. “Hope you saved room for dessert.”
That perks her right up. “Dessert? Did Lia bake something?”
“Nope!” I chirp as I carry the dishes into the kitchen. “I picked up some pastries from The Gilded Lady.”
Amber pouts. “I bet they’re not as good as Lia’s.”
Lia giggles and gives Amber a one-armed hug. “Aww, thanks, sweet pea.”
Amber beams a smile up at Lia. “It’s the truth.”
Eli interjects while I get the pastry boxes open. “I took her one morning to have one of your cherry-rhubarb cinnamon rolls.”
“Oh, yeah?” Lia smiles down at Amber. “How did you like it?”
“It. Was. Awesome,” Amber says. “Daddy let me get one to take home, too. I had it after dinner that same day.”
I walk the opened pastry boxes to the table. “Dessert is served.”
Amber gasps. “You got cinnamon rolls!”
I point at the two in the corner. “Those were the last two cherry-rhubarb that Lia made this morning at the bakery. Have at it, kiddo.”
“Yeah!” Amber exclaims. “Best. Day. Ever.”
I place my hand on Walker’s shoulder. “You got any milk to go with this?”
Walker just points behind him. “Fridge. Top shelf, toward the back.”
“You need any help?” Lia asks.
I toss her a wink. “I got this, Sunshine. You sit and rest.”
“Get me some water, instead,” Eli says.
“All milks and a water, coming right up,” I say, opening the cup cabinet.
As I make quick work of grabbing everyone a drink for their dessert, I see Walker leaned back in his chair. He studies the scene before him at the kitchen table with a look I’ve never seen on his face.
I stand there with the drinks for a moment, taking in everything unfolding before me. Eli, urging Amber to keep a napkin next to her for her sticky fingers. Walker, grinning to himself. Lia, humming over a cheese pastry she picked out.
There’s this strange, fragile sense that we’re building something right here. Something real and genuine.
I take a mental snapshot of the scene before I step out of the kitchen. “You wanted whiskey, right, Eli?”
He shoots me a look, but Lia giggles.
“What’s whiskey, Daddy?” Amber asks.
