I slipped away quietly, another beer in hand that I’d regret in the morning, the kitchen stifling and the back deck just cool enough. The sky was that deep navy that meant the heat of the day had finally given up, the crickets calling out from the hedges. You could faintly hear Melbourne traffic in the distance, but mostly it was just…still.
Mum was already out there, curled into the corner of the old wicker loveseat, shawl over her shoulders like she always did once the sun dipped. She smiled when she saw me.
“There he is,” she said. “I half-expected you to be glued to her side.”
I nudged her foot as I sat down beside her. “Guilty.”
“She’s something, that girl.”
I didn’t even try to hide the softness in my voice. “Yeah. She really is.”
We sat in that comfortable silence between mother and son that only came with years of knowing someone inside and out. She sipped her tea. I worked through my beer, even though it was too late for either.
“You’ve done well, love,” she said after a moment, slipping her hand over mine. “I haven’t seen you this happy in years.”
“I am happy,” I admitted. “It’s just…she’s been through so much before me. I want to be sure I’m enough for her. For both of them.”
Mum gave me that look she did when she was trying to be stern but gentle. “Jordan, you’re more than enough. Anyone can see how she adores you. Having a baby after two months might be a bit mad,” she teased with fondness in her laugh, “but you fit. The two of you make sense.”
My chest pulled tight. “They’re the best thing that ever happened to me.”
She smiled warmly. I could see the pride etched in her face. Her eyes flicked past me, toward the yard. I turned, too, just in time to catch Kate being tugged toward the swing set by Bella, who’d abandoned her shoes, biscuit in hand. She lifted Bella up onto the plank, steadying her with gentle hands, laughing at something the little girl said. When she looked up and found me watching, her smile changed, softening into something that knocked the air clean out of my lungs.
“She belongs here,” Mum whispered.
The screen door creaked, and Dad stepped out, rubbing his back like he always did after sitting too long.
“Ah, here you two are,” he said, grinning.
“Got a bit too loud in there for you, Rog?” Mum teased.
“Something like that.” His eyes landed on me. “You alright, son?”
“Yeah, Dad.” I smiled. “I am.”
Mum squeezed my hand again. “I was just telling him how glad we are that he brought Kate home. She’s part of the family now.”
Dad gave a short nod. “She’s a gem, that one. Don’t be the fool who messes it up.”
I let out a quiet laugh. “Thanks for the confidence, Dad.”
He smirked, shaking his head. “I’ve seen your track record with women, mate. But this one? You’d be an idiot to let her slip.” His voice softened a notch. “Truth is, I’ve never seen you look at anyone the way you look at her.”
Mum’s eyes glistened, and she nudged him gently. “Don’t get all sentimental now.”
Dad’s mouth twitched, but his voice stayed steady. “Sentimentals are allowed once in a while. You’ve made us proud, son. Just keep showing up for her. That’s what matters.” His gaze shifted to Mum with a quiet fondness that said everything.
“You two make it look easy,” I murmured.
“That’s the trick,” Mum said. “It’s hard sometimes. But for the kids, you make it look easy.”
Her voice wobbled when she added, “I’ve been proud of you a hundred times, Jord. But seeing you with her, watching you become a father, that’s what undoes me.”
My eyes stung instantly. I blinked hard, swallowing it back.
Kate was steadying Bella on the swing, her hair loose. God she looked so beautiful under the moonlight. She looked up mid-laugh, and when her eyes found mine, everything else faded. It was my undoing every time.
And then the voices rose.
