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“Mr. Lombardi, over here.” The sound of my name draws me from my thoughts. I saw the hand waving excitedly in the air. Ruben’s eyes light up as he sees me, with Laurel by his side, grinning widely.
I wait as they come up to me. Ruben bear-hugged me, surprising me. In the time since he started attending therapy, so much has changed about him. Gone is the grumpy kid who refuses to have anything to do with anyone other than Laurel, and in his place is this light-hearted kid who is now free-spirited and has let go of everything that has kept him from being happy.
Laurel is happier, too. No more does she cower when he speaks. They’re just two kids wholesomely in love and treating each other with respect, learning to listen to one another while choosing to better themselves.
“I saw you when you went to get your certificate,” I say, grinning like a proud dad. I’ve become so invested in their lives they’ve become my kids only without the adoption process. Seeing this happen makes me so happy and thankful for the journey we’ve embarked on to get where we are now.
“Yeah, I saw you too in the crowd. I’m glad you could make it, Mr. Lombardi. I wasn’t sure if you could come, since you have so much on your plate,” he says self-consciously. I shook my head before he could even finish.
“I told you I wouldn’t miss it for the world. I had no intention of missing it,” I assure him.
He nods, smiling at me before looking at Kelly, who’s by my side, watching the interaction with a grin on her face.
“A lot of the kids from the center are here,” he says, still looking at her with a smile.
Looking around at the graduates, I see some chatting excitedly with their parents while others laugh with their friends. A wave of nostalgia washes over me as I take in their joy on this special day. I miss the simplicity of the life I shared with them not so long ago.
"Hard to believe it's been since I sat where they are now," I murmur to Kelly.
Kelly squeezes my hand. "So much has changed, but you've accomplished so much. And soon we'll be experiencing these milestones with our kids."
I smile, knowing she's right. My life now with Kelly and our growing family is so much richer than I could have imagined back then. While part of me wishes I could return to that simpler time, I wouldn't trade the life I have now for anything.
“Hey Mr. Lombardi, haven't seen you for a while. Wait, you’re so different now,” Grace comes over with the crowd.
“Yeah?” I ask, wondering how different I am.
“Yes, you look so much happier than before,” she states again.
I chuckle. “Of course, I’ve got the love of my life with me. I have my son as well, so I’m quite happy.” They said:" Your son is such a handsome boy." "You can say that again! But thank you!"
I turn him to face them, and they make funny faces, trying to get him to laugh.
“Oh, my God, he’s so cute. Look at his beautiful eyes,” Laurel says, leaning in close. She waves, beaming wide when he waves back.
The others watch jealously as Camillo giggles and waves at Laurel. Soon, they take turns pulling silly faces, hoping to make him laugh.
"Look, I can make my eyes go crossed!" says Joey as he squints hard.
"That's nothing. Watch this!" Sara exclaims, sticking her tongue out as far as she can.
Camillo erupts into delightful squeals and hand claps as the children's antics continue. They beam triumphantly whenever they get a reaction from him.
I watch as Ruben’s eyes fill with love as he regards Laurel. I can only hope they continue to be like this in the long run.
“Your wife is so pretty too,” Aubrey says, causing Kelly’s eyes to widen.
I laugh at her comical expression. However, we aren’t married yet, and most of the kids didn't know it. Lisa smacks Aubrey on the head, rolling her eyes at her and Aubrey’s eyes widen, her face taking on a guilty look.
“I’m sorry, Mr. Lombardi, miss. I hope I haven’t made things weird,” she says regretfully.
"That is alright, don't worry about it. "Kelly reassures her with affection. I smile at her. Since Kelly and I patched things up, all I've wanted is to be married to her.
Seeing her reaction to their words is enough to tell me all I need to know. Things have never been so perfect, and the kids were right. I’m happy because I have every reason to be.
31
Kelly
