"But Uncle Noah!" Ethan protests.
"No buts. As Thoreau said, 'In wildness is the preservation of the world.' That includes fireflies."
Sophie giggles. "Uncle Noah always has a quote."
"That's because Uncle Noah is smart," Maya declares loyally.
Noah catches my eye and grins, that boyish smile that makes him look younger than his years. His hair is slightly mussed from playing with the kids, and there's a grass stain on his knee. He looks happy. They all do.
"Hard to believe it's been a year," Jack says quietly, his thumb stroking my hip.
"Hard to believe any of this is real," I admit.
My throat tightens. A year ago, I was drowning in secrets and fear. Now I'm standing in my parents' backyard with three men who love me, watching our children play, and my father is alive to see it.
"Dad called you his friend last month," I say.
Jack's expression softens. "I know. I almost cried like a baby when he did."
"You did cry."
"Only a little." He grins. "Very manly tears. Barely noticeable."
"Sure."
Robert's acceptance has been gradual, like watching ice melt in spring. But last month, when Jack helped him fix the porch railing, Robert clapped him on the shoulder and said, "Thanks, friend." Jack came home and held me for an hour without saying a word.
Blake jogs over, slightly breathless, his face flushed from running with the boys. "Your sons have arms like cannons. In a few years, they'll be varsity material for sure."
"They're ten," I laugh.
"Never too early to scout talent." He winks, and I notice the way his shirt clings to his abs. He notices me noticing and flexes slightly. The show-off.
"Subtle," Noah says, joining us with a squirming Maya in his arms. "Very subtle."
"I don't do subtle. I do results." Blake grins. "Speaking of which, Mia, have I mentioned how incredible you look in that sundress?"
The dress is simple, yellow with tiny white flowers, but the way all three of them have been looking at me all day makes me feel like a goddess.
"Only about five times," Jack says dryly.
"Then I'm slipping. Should be at least ten by now."
Noah sets Maya down and she immediately runs back to chase fireflies with her cousins. "The town gossip has finally dieddown," he observes. "I heard Mrs. Patterson actually defended us at the grocery store last week."
"No way," I breathe.
"Way. Apparently, someone made a snide comment and she told them to mind their own business. Said, and I quote, 'Those people are raising happy children, and that's more than most can say.'"
"Mrs. Patterson?" I repeat, stunned. "The woman who once told me my skirt was too short for church?"
"The very same." Noah's eyes twinkle. "As Marcus Aurelius said, 'The universe is change; our life is what our thoughts make it.'"
"Speaking of change," Jack says, "Emma texted this morning. She wants to bring her new boyfriend to dinner next week."
My eyebrows shoot up. "Really?"
"Really." Jack's voice holds wonder. "She's been visiting more. Actually talking to me instead of at me. It's not perfect, but it's progress."
