Miles
Seven years later…
“Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I ask as we stop beside the firehouse building, out of the way of any trucks if they need to get out.
“Yes, Uncle Miles. And I don’t understand why this had to be a whole family affair,” Noah says, shoving his hands into his pockets and jerking his head to get the hair from his eyes. He glares at me and then his mother.
“Because we’re proud of you,” Audrey says.
“You can be proud of me at home,” he argues.
“Don’t be fresh to Auntie Audrey, Noey,” Madison says, shaking her finger at him.
I hike my baby girl up higher on my hip.
“I wasn’t being fresh, Madi. You just don’t get it because you’re four.”
“Of course we do,” I say. “We just wanted to see you off on your big day. You’ve talked about this cadet program since you were seven. This is a big deal.”
“Can we go see Daddy now?” Charlie asks, tugging on my hand.
“In a minute, bud,” I say, smiling down at my beautiful little boy.
JJ and I adopted four years ago. Paid for one kid and got two. We found someone who knew the moment they were pregnant that they couldn’t keep their baby. We had no idea there were two until they came out. It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me, outside of marrying my best friend, of course.
These kids have brought so much light into our lives and humble us as well. I realize that even though I’ve helped Audrey with Noah since he was born, I don’t know a damn thing about being a parent.
“Can I go now?” Noah says impatiently.
Audrey sighs, leaning in and whispering, “How did he get so big?”
“I can hear you,” Noah groans.
A car door closes behind us. Noah’s gaze lifts and his eyes widen slightly then he stiffens.
“Hey, Noah!” It’s a girl’s voice, and we all look. Even the kids. Audrey and I share a surprised look, then look back at Noah.
He rolls his eyes, dropping his head back on his shoulders. “Great.”
Ah, so this is why he didn’t want us here…
“You’re early,” the girl says as she comes up to us. She looks about his age, with long, dark hair and big brown eyes. I raise a brow at Noah.
“Is this your friend?” I ask.
She looks at us and smiles. “We know each other from school. I’m Tasha.”
“Nice to meet you, Tasha. I’m Audrey, Noah’s mom. This is Miles, his uncle.”
“And I’m Madison and that’s my brother Charlie, but he’s shy, so don’t talk to him.”
“Madi,” I scold.
“It’s okay, Miles,” Tasha says with a bright smile. “I have three younger siblings, so I’m used to it. It’s nice to meet you, Madison, and you can tell Charlie that I said that too.” She turns her attention to Noah. “You ready to go in?”
“Definitely.”
“It was nice meeting you,” Tasha says, waving as they both turn toward the path that leads around the back of the building to the door that will let them inside the room for cadet classes.
