Page 137 of The October Arrangement

“Good morning, handsome.” I smiled, clutching him to my chest.

I went into the living room, and Simon wasn’t there. Looking into the kitchen, I smiled when I saw him standing at the island, holding Olivia against one shoulder while preparing a bottle with his free hand. His hair was a mess, and a cloth diaper hung from his shoulder. If only his work associates could see him now.

“I told you to go back to sleep,” he said when he saw me standing there.

“Your son decided to file a complaint.” I walked into the living room, sat on the couch, and latched him to my breast. Simon sat down beside me, with a bottle for Olivia. Neither of us said a word, and for a few minutes, the penthouse was quiet.

Two weeks ago, we’d come home from the hospital with two babies and absolutely no idea what we were doing. The first night, we were terrified and didn’t sleep at all. A few nights after that, I would catch Simon standing at their bassinets, making sure they were still breathing. And now? We established a routine and felt a little more confident as parents.

Five Years Later

Simon

“Daddy, stop.”

“I’m not doing anything, princess.

I stared at Olivia through the bathroom mirror as Bella finished pulling her hair into a ponytail.

“Tell Daddy it’s okay to be a little sad,” Bella told her.

The thing was that I wasn’t sad. I was fucking miserable, and had every right to be. Today was Julian and Olivia’s first day of kindergarten, and for the past week, everyone had been acting like it was some exciting milestone. The twins couldn’t wait to go. Bella was excited to send them off. And my father called the twins last night to tell them how proud he was. Apparently, I was the only person who understood what was really happening. My children were leaving me for six and a half hours, five days a week.

“I’m not sad,” I lied.

“Liar.” Bella smiled.

“Do I look pretty, Daddy?” Olivia asked, jumping down from the bathroom counter.

“You look beautiful.” I crouched down in front of her.

“Like Mommy?” She smiled.

“Exactly like Mommy.” I kissed her cheek.

“I love you, Daddy.” Olivia threw her arms around my neck.

“Love you too, baby girl.”

She pulled away from me and ran out of the bathroom. Bella folded her arms and stared at me.

“Don’t you dare, Montclair.”

“What? I didn’t say anything.”

“You don’t have to.” She walked over to where I stood and placed her hand on my chest.

“You’re going to be okay,” she said.

“I have no idea what you’re talking about, Bella. I’m fine.”

“You’ve been weird since you woke up,” she said.

“I have not.”

“Really? You asked me if kindergarten was really necessary.”

“I was joking.” I chuckled.