Because now?
It is.
“You’re very calm for someone supervising a potential disaster,” I say.
“I’m not calm,” he says.
“You look calm.”
“That’s the goal.”
I huff out a soft laugh.
Ethan jumps.
It’s not graceful. It’s not particularly coordinated. But he lands on his feet and throws his arms up like he just set an Olympic record.
“I did it!”
“You did, Buddy,” Douglas says, finally looking over.
“Did you see? That was amazing!”
“That was… something,” he agrees.
I grin. “Very supportive.”
“I’m realistic.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Bella toddles over, tugging on his hand. “My turn.”
He crouches immediately, all attention on her. “What’s your turn?”
“I jump.”
“You’re not jumping off anything.”
She pouts. “I can jump small.”
He considers that. “Define small.”
She points to a much lower step.
He nods. “That’s acceptable.”
I watch them, something warm and steady settling in my chest.
Because this, this is what he does.
He shows up for the people he loves. He’s steady. Present. Constant.
He’s everything I didn’t think I’d find. And he’s all mine.
“My sister texted,” I say, glancing down at my phone. “They’re on their way.”
“Yeah?”
