“My Mercer.”
Chapter Sixteen: Party
Zack’s actual birthday is a busy day of waffles, presents, and all of his favorite things—and using every single new present he unwrapped, one from Madelyn and a bunch from me. (I may have been overzealous once I discovered overnight delivery and an online shopping app that kept giving me suggestions of things that I was sure he’d love.)
By the end of the night, my head is ringing with toddler chatter, and I give Madelyn a grateful look as I watch her close her laptop for the night. “You are incredible.”
“Hm?”
“I love Zack, don’t get me wrong, but I have never heard him say so much.”
“Oh, this is nothing. Tomorrow, when my parents come? He’ll be a blur.”
“I’m terrified to meet your parents.”
“Zack already told them about you on their video calls. He’s told them he’s an honorary kraken. My dad had to look that up.”
“Oh, dear.” I pace. I’m planning to spend the night back at the lake and arrive just a few hours before the party to meet Madelyn’s parents and help set up a few final things.
“Oh, that’s not the best part.” My sweet mate has a cruel streak. She smiles and holds up a drawing of something that looks like a huge blue sun with spidery rays and two pink marbles. “This is the family portrait he drew and showed them a couple of days ago.”
“I’m the giant blue sun?” I gasp—and then guffaw. “Why are you two the same size when you’re an adult and he’s just a little one?”
“Because he’s three. Oh, my goodness. He’sthreenow. He knows all his letters. He can count to twenty. He hasn’t had an accident in two weeks.”
“You did it, beautiful one. You have gotten him to come so far, while doing so much, and never tiring or quitting. With so little help.” I don’t say it out loud, but if Zack’s chatter was at this level every day, especially if I didn’t have to leave to fulfill my lifeguard duties, I would become selfish and stressed. I would need breaks.
“Oh, my parents helped a lot when we lived close. But we had originally moved to the city because of Eli’s career, and when we split, I had to find a smaller apartment, and, well, the city was getting more and more crowded but less and less safe. My parents said I could move back in with them, but I thought if I did that, I’d never stand on my own two feet and give Zack the kind of childhood he deserves. I had to find a place with a house I could afford, and low crime rates, and wonderful community amenities—like a lake with a big blue lifeguard.”
“Teal,” I correct with mock severity. “Calder is blue. Well, bluish gray.”
“But our daughters are gonna come out like a sunset tan. Something off of the tanning salon commercials—and I’m not talking about that yucky burnt orange,” Madelyn says through a yawn. “My gosh, I’m so beat. Is it just me, or did his nap only last ten minutes today?”
“You’re right, it was a speed nap.” I smile, trying not to burst.
Our daughters.
She sees them in our moments of connection, just like I do.
Because she’s mine. Even going home tonight feels wrong. I should be here, protecting my mate and our little boy. My son. Our son. “I could stay the night,” I offer, voice hoarse.
“Mm, I’d love that, but you know we’d end up tiring each other out and then I’d have to do the sheets first thing in the morning before my parents come. My mother is going to want the entire tour, and they’re going to spend the night.” Madelyn looks at me with a pout. “I wish you could stay, too.”
“I’d be content to stay forever,” I remind her.
She’s adorable when she blushes and tucks a curl behind her ear, suddenly half-bashful looking. “Zack would know in a second. I’d never be able to get him to call you Mercer again. He wants a dad so badly.”
It’s his birthday party tomorrow. Let’s give him one! Let’s give him the father he deserves.
“It would be a wonderful present,” I hint.
Madelyn nods. “It would be. I know. I’m just...”
“I’m in no rush. Just remember, I’m always ready to help. To be here for him, for both of you.”
Madelyn sighs and wraps her arms around me for one searing goodnight kiss. “One of the many things I love about you.”
“Are they here? Is this them? Aww. No.” Zack paces in front of the window around eleven, a half-eaten grilled cheese in his hand.
