King of the Court

I shake my head. “It’s silly. I know we’ve got our hands full as it is.”

“Birdie…”

The park comes into view up ahead, and the boys ditch their bikes and scooters to run for the playground. Millie squirms and I let her down on the grass so she can toddle after them. Ben and I keep walking until we’re close enough to keep an eye out as they play together, but far enough away to continue our conversation.

“I’ve already talked it over with Donna,” Ben says. “With the boys in daycare and Caleb in school, that only leaves Millie. Donna and I can watch her in the mornings while you’re at Caltech. You’d be back before she woke up from her afternoon nap. That’s nothing.”

God, is this really possible?

Could I?

“Do you miss your work?” he asks, trying to goad me into speaking.

Of course.

I swallow down my guilt. I have so much; I shouldn’t need anything else.

He passes me my coffee and we’re quiet for a bit while we watch the kids play. Caleb helps Millie go up the stairs, and Hayden is clapping his hands and cheering her on at the top.

When Ben speaks up again, I’m surprised to realize we’ve been thinking about the same thing.

“Do you remember the night I confronted you about you leaving Caltech to move home to Pine Hill?”

I nod mutely.

“You remember how pissed I was?” he asks with a soft chuckle.

“I seem to remember doing a good bit of yelling too,” I tease.

“True. You’ve always been stubborn, but I’ll say to you now what I said to you then.” He reaches out to take my hand, forcing me to look over at him. “Let me help you,” he implores, his voice low and tempting.

Emotion tightens my throat, and all I can do is nod, over and over as he pulls me into a tight hug.

“We’ll plan it with Donna when we get home. We’ll iron out the details and you’ll take the position, Birdie.”

“I’ll take the position,” I affirm, nodding.

He kisses my hair. “Good. Now let’s go show these kids how to race down that slide.”

I can’t help but laugh. “You’re going to get stuck again! Remember last time? I thought we were going to have to get the fire department down here to cut you free.”

“Sure, sure. Keep making up excuses. You know I’m going to beat you.”

I casually set down my coffee on the grass and then, without warning, start running toward the slide to beat him there. In seconds, he’s on me, picking me up and whirling me around while I break out into laughter. The kids all come running, laughing and playing along.

“Put Mommy down!”

“Don’t hurt Mommy!”

Levi pummels Ben’s thighs with his little fists. “Let her go!”

Ben laughs and squeezes me tighter.

“I’m not hurting her. Don’t you guys realize? Your mommy has me wrapped around her finger. Always has…” He sets me down and turns me so he can look me square in the eyes as he finishes, “Always will.”