Family.
“Neither could I,” I confess.
“Is it a boy or a girl? Maybe twins?” he says, his eyes lighting up even more at the thought of having two kids.
“It doesn’t work like that silly? At least not a home test.”
“Let’s go to the doctor.”
“Now?”
“There’s never a better time than now.”
“Why?”
“I can’t wait to pick out names, decorate the room, and do everything that comes with it.”
“Even the doctor won’t know the sex and we don’t have a room to decorate until we move into our new place.”
James laughs. “With you, I just want everything so fast. I just want this family of ours to grow…now! I get so ahead of myself.”
“It is growing fast and there’s nothing to get ahead of. There’s no pace when it comes to life. We just live it day by day, enjoying our love each and every moment.”
“You really need to expand that calligraphy class to writing. Your words are so beautiful.”
“You know what my favorite word in the English language is?”
“Love?”
“Okay, my favorite two words.”
“I think I can guess.”
“I love that you understand me, Daddy,” I give away the answer.
“And I love that you understand me, my little,” he gives back just as good as he gets.
And he’s got every part of me. My heart, my soul, my everything. Why? Because he’s my dear Daddy and I’m his little girl. And together, we’re perfect, meant for each other forever and always.
Extended Epilogue
James
Ten years later
“You got it, baby girl!” I call out from the bleachers. Yes, I’m that parent.
Julia gets into position under the ball and makes a catch. Julian, her twin brother, whistles as loud as he can, while her other siblings, Jill and Jason also cheer with everything they’ve got.
Coming to Julia’s softball games, Julian’s baseball games or Jill and Jason’s soccer games are some of the highlights of my week. I can’t say they are the absolute highlight of my week, because every single second I spend as a father is a highlight. Lying around on a lazy Sunday morning playing checkers with the kids is just as enjoyable as having a Tuesday afternoon snack or cheering for them at sporting events. Every moment is special in its own way because each and every one of our children means everything to us.
“I thought that name was reserved for me,” Josi teases, elbowing me in the side as she whispers into my ear.
“Oh, I’ve got something reserved for you all right,” I inform her, sitting back down to hide my ever present need for her. I swear just thinking about my woman makes me so turned on I’m not even presentable in public. Not even two pairs of underwear can I hide my throbbing desire.
Julian helps Jill and Jason to the concession stand and Josi snuggles up to me. It’s hard to believe the word snuggle is even in my lexicon, but then again everything about life has been an incredible surprise, since her.
“You still find me attractive?” Josi asks. I waste no time, grabbing her passionately and kissing her with everything I’ve got. “I’m serious, James,” she says, pulling away and waiting for a verbal response.