Sweet Spot

“Of course they are. This is your first art showing,” Booker says. It’s not only his first art showing but his graduation from preschool. I can’t believe my little man is going into kindergarten already. I swear it was only yesterday that he was coming into this world.

It still blows my mind how much Booker continues to give me. I can’t imagine a life without him. Hell, I don’t want to. I got one of the good ones.

“Do you think I’ll be as good as Mommy one day?” Noah asks his father.

“Of course.” Noah beams under his father’s praise.

I fight back tears. I know what it feels like to have someone believe in you more than you do yourself. And what it can do for your soul. That’s what Booker did for me and is now doing for our son. If not for him I wouldn’t have gone after my dreams. He has always believed in me. I know it will be the same for our children.

“We should get downstairs to greet everyone,” I tell them both.

“I’m going to change.” Booker places Noah on his feet, fixing his little tie. “I’ll meet you both downstairs.” He drops a kiss on my lips before he disappears into the closet. I take Noah’s hand and guide him downstairs to the party. Grams and Grandpa are already here. So is my mom.

She’s actually settled down some. She’s been with this current guy for a few years now. I’m sure it helps that he’s got money. She met him through Booker’s father. He was one of his colleagues. She does actually seem happy. I hope it can stay that way, and he doesn't break her heart.

“Oh, look at my handsome man.” Booker’s mom calls out to Noah. He takes off on a dead run toward her. I might not have gotten a great mom and dad, but I have the best in-laws and grandparents in the world.

Even Booker’s dad and I get along now. Once he realized Booker and I were the real thing and not some fling that could derail his son’s dreams, he came around. He clearly didn’t know his son well enough. Nothing derails Booker. He and I being together is a perfect example of that. He’d made it his mission as a little boy that I would be his wife one day, and here we are.

“Carrie Peters.” A man calls my name that I don’t recognize, but he could be someone’s date.

“That’s me.” I give him a welcoming smile.

“It’s a pleasure to meet the beautiful famous artist.” He offers me his hand. I take it out of politeness. He starts to raise my hand to his mouth, but it never makes it. Booker is there, pulling my hand back.

“I’m the husband,” he says. His way of introducing himself. However, he doesn't offer his hand. He can’t because he wraps one around my shoulder, and the other goes to my stomach.

The man's face flushes. “I’m going to get a drink,” he sputters before he turns, running off.

“You’re terrible.” I laugh.

“Only my mouth on you.” He leans down and kisses me. “I mean, you’re pregnant. If I make your wedding ring any bigger you won’t be able to lift your hand.” I only laugh harder. “But still these assholes keep trying.”

“Stop it. You’re going to make my water break, and I still want cake.”

“If my Care-bear wants cake, she’ll be getting cake one way or another.”

Looking around the room at all of our friends and family in our beautiful home makes me realize there really isn't anything more I could ever ask for.

Booker gave me a life I never could have dreamed of. It goes to show you that with love anything is possible.