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Amaya
According to my doctor, my due date isn’t for another three days, yet I feel like my due date was about two weeks ago. I’m so big and awkward. I’d almost forgotten how much trouble the last trimester can actually be if you’re about to become the mother of a big-boned baby. Because this little one isn’t that little. The ultrasound confirmed that much, along with the size of my belly. My feet constantly hurt, but the guys take turns rubbing them every evening, once we’re settled behind closed doors.
Lovemaking has been more of an adventure lately, but we find comfort and peace in just being around one another. Finn says we’ve got all the time in the world to screw our brains out after the baby is born.
Elias often jokes that we should have more kids just to give myself a couple of months’ worth of a break once in a while, because it’s the only way they won’t want to claim me every night. We laugh and joke about it, but I wouldn’t mind raising the equivalent of a football team with these men by my side.
Hell, we could raise an army and take over the world if we put our minds to it.
But today is special. As heavy and as sluggish as I feel, I have to do this. Fortunately, I’m not alone. I’ve got Kace, Finn, and Elias waiting with me outside Mikey’s school. The kids are starting to come out as the afternoon sun sets in a splash of red and pink beyond the Northern California hills. The heat makes my skin sizzle. It adds on top of my frayed nerves, yet I manage to put on a warm smile when Mikey runs out of the building.
“Momma!” he says as he rushes over.
“Hey, honey bunny!” I laugh and plant a kiss on the top of his head.
“I can’t wait to hug you again,” Mikey replies with the cutest pout.
“I know, Mikey. Just a little while longer,” I say. He’s been bummed out because he’s no longer able to jump in my arms like he used to. This generous baby bump keeps getting in the way, but he is definitely excited to welcome his new brother or sister soon.
We don’t know what we’re having yet, and we don’t know who the father is, either. Finn has already declared that all three of them are the father. We’re going with that until we see whose features begin to form as the baby grows up. “How was your day?” I ask my boy.
He shakes Kace, Finn, and Elias’s hands like the proper little gentleman that he is. “Really good,” Mikey says. “Mrs. Armstrong says we’re gonna learn how to write our whole names. She’s already got us practicing.”
“That’s awesome,” Finn says. “Soon enough you’ll be signing your own checks.”
“What’s a check?” Mikey asks.
“Not something you need to worry about for another fifteen years, at least,” Kace chuckles.
We take Mikey across the street where there’s a nice park with sturdy oakwood benches and a magnificent view of the valley. It’s peaceful and quiet enough for the conversation that is about to unfold. Kace can tell that I’m nervous, so he gently squeezes my arm to reassure me of his unwavering support while I sit Mikey down.
“What’s going on Momma?” my son asks, quick to realize that we’re about to have a more serious talk. “Did I do something?”
“God, no,” I laugh. “No, you’ve been my main man, every day. No, it’s just that we need to tell you something, baby.”
He gives me a curious look. “Okay.”
“So, remember how I used to tell you that your dad went away before he could meet you?” I begin, then give my men another look, inwardly praying for the clarity I need to convey this information properly to our son. He’s our son. Not just mine and Kace’s, but Finn and Elias’s too. We’ve been raising him together, and Mikey has been thriving in their company.
“Yeah.”
“And remember how I used to tell you that someday he might find his way back to us?”
“Yeah.”
I nod slowly. “And you also remember that your dad loves you, no matter where he is.”
“Yeah, but he doesn’t know about me,” Mikey replies, slightly frowning. “You said he went away, and that you couldn’t find him anymore.”
I decided that honesty was the best policy with my child since day one. As soon as he started to ask about his daddy, I felt that Mikey needed to know the truth while also emphasizing that even with just one parent, he was always loved, always safe, and always cherished.
“Right, I say. Thing is, I did find him,” I tell Mikey.
His eyes grow wide with surprise and uncertainty. He glances at Kace, Finn, and Elias. I reckon one of his thoughts is about what’s going to happen with them if his real dad comes back. “You did?” Mikey murmurs, suddenly soft. “Where is he?”
“He’s been here for a while, I just wasn’t ready to tell you,” I say.
Kace kneels so he can be at his level. “I’m your dad, Mikey. I’m sorry we didn’t meet sooner.”
