AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She’s a spitting image of her daddy,” Jen continues. “Ooops. Was I supposed to say that?”
Lexi laughs. “It’s fine. He knows.”
I listen to the girls’ chat as I drive to Brad and Mila’s home. Their street is predominantly family-style homes and you can see bicycles and children’s paraphernalia on the neat front lawns. One day, maybe Lexi, Luna, and I will be thinking of moving to a more spacious home, one with its own yard. I don’t want to think too much into the future. It’ll come in its own time. My plan is to enjoy my new family life and get to know Lexi and Luna. I park the car in the street just next to the house.
I carry Luna while Lexi carries Luna’s bag with diapers and milk. These days, she’s insisting on eating what we’re eating which is making it a lot easier to go with her places. It’s not enough to fill her up, but it keeps her belly satisfied.
The smell of barbecue meets us as we climb up the porch. I ring the bell and moments later I hear heavy footsteps before the door swings open.
“Welcome,” Brad says. “And you must be little Luna.”
“Thank you,” I say and step in. When he closes the door, I introduce him to Lexi and Jen.
“We’re one big family at the station and we’re excited to have new members,” he says to Lexi while pumping her hand hard. He turns to Jen. “You’re going to be very popular. Be warned.”
I stifle a laugh at the effort it must be taking Jen to maintain that smile with Brad almost taking her hand off its socket with his handshake. A curvy blond with short hair walks into the foyer smiling.
Brad introduces her as his wife, Mila.
“Hi,” she says to us. She welcomes us into their home and we all head to the back of the house.
Everyone is gathered at the back and there’s a raucous welcome for us. I can tell from Lexi’s face that she’s surprised by how large the group is and how friendly they are. I haven’t been in the station for long, but they already treat me like family and by extension Lexi and Luna and Jen.
I introduce Jen to Connor, but other single guys come and demand an introduction. It’s all harmless fun and I see that Jen is enjoying the attention.
Luna is passed around burly men and their wives and generally made to feel special. Then Lexi takes her to a small bouncy castle for little kids, away from the sausage-shaped pool where older kids are playing.
“Do you need some help?” I ask Brad, gesturing at the grill.
“Yes,” he says. “Thanks, man.”
I’m glad for something to do. Brad hands me a cold beer and I turn the sausages and meats while keeping an eye on my girls.
Later, we all gather around a table laden with a pink cake and goodies and sing happy birthday to Clare. Luna can’t keep a grin from her face. She’s not used to seeing so many kids. She claps and sings along. Lexi and I exchange a look. It’s a good thing that people don’t burst from pride because the two of us would be the first to go.
***
“That was a really fun day,” Lexi says later that night after we’ve tucked an exhausted Luna into bed. “I haven’t been to a barbecue in years.”
“Looks like we’ll be going to a lot of those. From what I gather it’s something a lot of the guys do,” I say.
“Yes, the ladies also referred to past barbecues and birthdays,” Lexi says.
A worry comes over me. Despite my keeping an eye on Lexi maybe she felt out of place. Guys are not the same as ladies. It’s easier to strike up a friendship with guys, I think. We bond easily over sports and, in our case, our work.
As Brad had predicted, Jen had been pretty busy with the single guys, everyone trying to wrangle a date. I am glad I am out of the dating pool. Connor had a head start and he was the one who drove Jen home.
“Did you have a good time?” I ask. We’re in the master bedroom and Lexi is getting ready to shower. It’s distracting to hold an important conversation while she’s stripping out of her clothes.
“Very,” she says. “The ladies were awesome. I know we’ll be good friends over time.”
“I’m glad,” I tell her.
Lexi strips down to her bra and panties. She picks up her clothes from the floor, smells them, and makes a face. “They stink of smoke.”
“So do mine. Do you want company in the shower?” I ask her.
That’s one thing we haven’t done together since she and Luna moved in. Our showering hours are different. I’m an early riser and no matter how late I sleep, I have to get up at dawn for my morning run. I take my shower after my run.
