She huffs lightly. “You do this, you know.”
“Do what?”
“Brush off compliments unless it’s about your work.”
I smile faintly. “No, I don’t. I just have things I want to do before I even think about having kids.”
“Yeah, I know. I just wanted to put it out there. It’s okay to want something outside of your job.”
“There is something I’ve been thinking about. Well, actually, it’s been in my head for quite a long time.” I clear my throat and pause for a second. “I’d like to use a portion of my trust fund to create a youth sports program for underprivileged kids and teens.”
“Really?” She looks at me with a smile. “That’s a really great idea, Pres. I can totally see you doing something like that. Do you have a plan laid out yet, or are you just in the brainstorming stage?”
I laugh because I can practically see my sister crunching numbers in her head.
“Yeah, but you know I can’t access the money yet since I’m not thirty-five or married, so I have some time to work on it. It’s not like I’ll leave the team or anything. I just want to build something on my own, you know?”
“I love it!” she places a hand on my arm. “And not that you asked, but I’m happy to help in any way I can, and I would love to be involved when you get it up and running. What made you think of doing this?”
“Obviously, I would love your help,” I say, laughing. “But honestly, it was working in the hospital. I can’t remember the boy’s name, but he came in with a sprain, and we were talking about wearing proper equipment and how to avoid injuries in the future. He said something that kind of stuck with me, and I just never forgot it.”
“What did he say?” Alie asks.
“He said the programs in his town don’t have the money to get new gear, so they usually get second-hand equipment from the high school, which had been stretched thin. So I just thought that creating a place, and developing programs where kids who come from communities like that could play safely with proper equipment, but also learn about nutrition and how to preventinjuries.” I pause. “But I also want kids to feel like they have adults they can count on and come to for guidance.
“Then Saint and I were talking recently about how his dad struggled and worked all the time to make sure he and his sister had what they needed. So hearing that, and tying it into what was already in my head, just makes me think it’s the right path. I just want to do something good with the money. We’ve grown up very privileged, and our future generations will be set up for life. I feel like this could add to our legacy.”
“I love this idea, Pres. It’s incredible, and I mean it, I’m on board for whatever you need.” She touches the top of my hand. “You have some time to work out the details. Unless you get married.” She laughs.
“I don’t see that happening any time soon, so yeah, I have lots of time,” I smirk.
We fall into a comfortable silence and watch Seraphina bounce up from the floor and declare a victory over a stubborn cluster of bubbles.
Alie’s words linger though.
You’ll be a great mom.
It’s not the first time she’s said that to me. And in the past, I would have said something like,Of course I will, but today, it hit different.
Maybe it’s because we’re hanging out in a place that’s built for wonder and imagination. Like it feels heavier and a little more real.
The next room is filled with massive translucent balloons that are floating at varying heights. Sera runs right into them, shrieking as they bounce off and around her.
Alie leans against the wall, watching her daughter with a steady kind of happiness that’s settled since Liam’s been here.
“You’re really happy, aren’t you?” I say.
She doesn’t look at me but smiles. “I am.”
“Liam’s so good for you. I’m so happy he turned out to be the man we hoped he would be. A good father, and a good partner for you.”
She glances over at me, giving me a soft look.
“He really is.” She pauses. “And I think I’m good for him too.”
“Absolutely.” I tilt my head back. “You and Sera are the best parts of him. You both make him so happy. I don’t think he knows what to do with it.”
We both laugh. But there’s so much truth in what I’m saying.
