The screech from Bailey is deafening. Jason punches the air and then throws himself into my lap.
I laugh, wrapping my arms around him and hugging him tight.
“You’re our dad now?” Kiera asks.
Tears well in her eyes, and I nod. “I’m officially your dad.”
“That’s the best news ever.”
Then somehow, and I’m not sure how it happens, all five of us end up on the couch, arms around each other.
“You’re the best dad ever,” Jason says.
“I promise you that I will do my very best to live up to that.”
“That’s not difficult.” I don’t think Bailey’s words are meant to cut me, but they do. The thought of them all growing up in that house with that man are still like a punch to the gut.
Over the past year, we’ve grown closer. All four of them have treated me like their father, but now it’s official.
I wish I’d been the one to wipe their tears and help them with scraped knees when they were younger—the only one I’ve had that with is Jason, but the girls lean on me in other ways. Bailey has her first boyfriend who, to her embarrassment, was thoroughly vetted by me.
But when I agreed he was okay, she’d hugged me like there was no tomorrow.
My approval was important to her.
“I love all of you. Don’t you ever doubt it.”
“We don’t.” Kiera gives Jason a gentle push out of the way and sits beside me while he clambers up onto my lap. I slip an arm around her shoulders as she snuggles into me. “We know you love us. We love you too.”
My heart swells, and Emma grasps my bicep. I turn my head toward her to see that beautiful smile.
A year and a half ago, I’d never have pictured this. Me with my family.
But I’m right here with them, and everything in my world is perfect.
A man couldn’t ask for more.
After dinner, I head out to the back yard with a beer.
I love the evenings out there—Emma chose this house well.
There are times when I wish we’d been reunited sooner so we could have more time together, but I’m content in my life and I love my family.
I take a seat at our picnic table and cast my gaze across the garden. We’ve all worked to make it our little piece of paradise. Emma has her vegetable garden, and the girls planted their favourite flowers.
There aren’t any trees big enough to support a tree house, but I built Jason his own small cabin so he has his own space when things get overwhelming. That happens less and less now, but I’m proud of what I’ve done for him.
My son.
“Dad?” Noah’s voice comes from behind me and I smile at my eldest son making his way toward me—his own beer in his hand.
“Hey.”
He takes a seat beside me. Noah’s living in his own place now—once Emma and I were settled, he found a house to rent. I’ve offered to help him out with a deposit once he finds something he wants to buy, but for now he’s enjoying his freedom.
But he still checks in frequently.
“I met someone today.”
