“They’re perfect,” I said before I could stop myself.
Her eyes flicked to mine, wide and searching, like she was trying to decide if I really meant it. I held the gaze, because I did. Climbing out, I grabbed the stroller from the bed of the truck before she could, unfolding it in one practiced motion. She raised a brow.
“You sure you haven’t done this before?”
I smirked. “Told you. My buddy has a daughter. He made me practice until I could do it blindfolded.” That earned me a laugh that was genuine this time.
We got the twins strapped in, Zeke’s hand snug in mine as we crossed the parking lot. Camille walked on the other side of him, glancing at me now and then like she still couldn’t quite believe I was here. Carrying the bag. Pushing the stroller.
And maybe I couldn’t quite believe it either. Because walking into an aquarium with three kids and the woman who’d slowly undone all my walls felt like uncharted territory. But it also felt right. Maybe I was exactly where I was supposed to be. The moment we stepped into the aquarium, the kids froze in their tracks. The glass tunnel stretched ahead, glowing blue, schools of silver fish darting past like a living current. Light rippled across the floor, painting their little sneakers in shades of ocean.
“Whoa,” Zeke breathed, his hand tightening in mine. “It’s like we’reunderwater.”
Avery squealed, pointing both fists at the glass where a stingray slid past. Chloe gasped and pressed her bunny against the stroller tray, as if showing it the view too.
Beside me, Camille exhaled softly. Relief, maybe. Or nerves, loosening just a little.
“They like it,” I murmured, leaning closer.
Her lips twitched. “That’s an understatement.”
I couldn’t help smiling. Because watching them watch the fish was better than any exhibit. Zeke’s eyes were wide, his mouth hanging open. The twins squealed with every new sound and color.
And Camille… the way she watched me like she was waiting for me to pull back, to sigh, to reveal that this was too much. But I didn’t feel that way at all. I felt…like this was exactly where I was supposed to be.
We moved slowly, Zeke tugging me toward the shark tank like he was on a mission. “That one’s a hammerhead! Did you know they can see almost all the way around their heads?”
I chuckled. “Guess I’d better be careful then. He’ll see me coming before I even wave.” Zeke laughed, delighted, and the sound hit me deeper than I expected.
The twins clapped at the jellyfish display, glowing pink and orange in the dark. Avery whispered, “Pretty,” while Chloe hummed her nonsense tune, swaying in the stroller.
I bent down, pointing at the tank. “You’re right, Avery. Pretty. Like your mom.” Camille elbowed me, cheeks flushing, but I caught the small smile she tried to hide.
Halfway through, we stopped at the touch tank. Zeke rolled up his sleeves, eyes gleaming. “Can I? Please?”
“Go for it,” I said, guiding his hand toward the stingray gliding lazily by. He squealed when it brushed against his fingers, turning to look at his mom with wild excitement.
“Mommy! It’s slimy!” Camille laughed, and for once, the sound didn’t have an edge of exhaustion. It was pure, unguarded joy. I glanced at her, catching that light in her face, and knew I’d fight like hell to keep being the reason shesmiled like that.
By the time we made it to the sea turtle exhibit, Zeke was drooping against the glass, the twins babbling sleepily in the stroller. I pushed it while Camille walked beside me, close enough that her arm brushed mine now and then.
“You did good,” she said softly, almost like she didn’t mean for me to hear it.
I looked at her, steady. “We did good.”
Her eyes flicked to mine, and for a second, the walls she carried cracked again. And in that tiny opening, I knew this was something worth staying for.
By the time we circled back to the entrance, the magic was fading fast. Zeke’s steps dragged, his bottom lip sticking out as he whined, “My legs are too tired.” The twins squirmed in the stroller, rubbing their eyes, one starting to fuss, the other repeating “fishy, fishy” like a broken record.
Camille’s jaw tightened. I saw it in the way she adjusted the diaper bag higher on her shoulder, bracing herself. I knew that look, it was the one of someone already preparing to carry everyone else through the hard part.
“C’mere, buddy,” I said, crouching in front of Zeke. “Want a lift?”
His eyes lit up. “On your shoulders?”
“On my shoulders.”
In a second, he was grinning, arms wrapped around my head as I hoisted him up onto my shoulders. He giggled, legs swinging against my chest. “I’m taller than everyone!” he shouted, his voice echoing through the entrance.
