Breath Of Life

I roll the words over in my head before I speak. “It’s di-vorce. Would that be okay with you?”

“Yes, I love her. She’s so funny, and she plays games wif me and teaches me lots of cool stuff.”

“I’ll let you in on a secret, buddy. I think one day she will be your second mommy. But we need to keep that between us for now, okay?”

He yawns. “Okay, Daddy.”

“All right, to bed with you now.”

“Night, Daddy. I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I brush the hair back from

his forehead and stand, quietly slipping out of the room as he drifts off.

“Is he out?” Quinn asks as I walk into out bedroom.

“Almost. How many stories did he con you into?”

She laughs. “I did three. It’s his birthday. He deserved extras.”

“Sucker.”

“Shut up. You know how adorable the kid is, you helped make him.”

“I did.” I hop onto the bed beside her. “He asked me something about you tonight,” I begin, testing the water.

“What?”

“If you were going to be his second mommy.”

She gasps. “W-what did you say?”

“You first. Tell me what you think about that.”

“Ollie, I’d be honored. I love him like he’s my own.”

“And what about his dad?”

“I love him a lot, too ... and I think maybe one day we’ll be sharing a last name.”

Leaning down, I take her lips, silently promising her we’ll get there. She moans as we deepen the kiss, and I bury my fingers in her thick curls. I slant my head, deepening my access to her sweetness. When we break apart, I roll onto my back beside her, completely spent. The lack of sleep and effort to keep up with a half dozen little people is catching up to me.

“Bedtime?” I ask.

“God, yes. How they have so much energy I’ll never know,” she says.

“Because we do all the worrying for them. Nothing exhausts you quicker than that.”

“Truth. In the words of Jack Black. The Legend of the rent is way hardcore.”

I snicker. “School of Rock?”

“Of course, it’s a classic.”

QUINN

A series of loud cracks jerk me from my sleep. I blink, trying to focus. My heart thumps in my chest. Sitting up, I look around.