Her boys are older than my girls, but it’d be nice if they’d all become friends too.
“Do you have to do school pickup today? I’ll take you.”
I shake my head. “Noah’s coming home early and picking up Jason on the way. The girls walk home—it’s not far.”
“So, we just have to sit and wait?”
He sighs when I nod, his knee bouncing as if he’s the one full of nerves. Maybe he is. Teenage girls aren’t always easy to impress, I’m not sure if he’ll have to do much at this point.
The bar is pretty low.
Caleb seems determined, but I’m still unsure of his motives.
I’m not looking for a father for my children—I’m so wary of anything new.
But I’m the moth to his flame, and I only hope my battered heart can take it if this doesn’t work out.
“It’s not much longer, Caleb. Be patient.” I laugh.
“I really want to meet the rest of your family.”
“I know. And you will.” My heart leaps at his impatience. “They’ll be here any minute.”
He reaches for my hand. “Thank you for letting me meet them.”
“It seems like a natural progression to me. You’re Noah’s father.”
“I know, but you could’ve drawn a line at that.”
I shrug. “Noah’s getting to meet all his family. If you’re happy for his sisters and brother to be a part of that, then I am too.”
“You too. I want you to be a part of it. All of it.”
My gaze meets his. “Caleb, I don’t know …”
“I do. We never threw those years away, Em. They were stolen from us. We can’t ever get them back, but we can move forward—hopefully together.”
An ache in my chest forms. How many years did I dream of this, even when I had no hope?
Excited chatter comes from the direction of the front door, and it clicks as it opens and my children come flooding through.
It’s like a race into the living room.
Once they’re in the door, they freeze, a bemused Noah standing right behind them.
Jason darts to the couch and I hug him close against me.
“You’re Noah’s Dad.” Bailey’s eyes are like saucers, Kiera’s too.
Jason burrows further into my side.
“I am. My name’s Caleb.”
Bailey flicks her long, blonde hair over her shoulder. “I’m Bailey, and this is Kiera. And that’s Jason.”
Caleb’s gaze flicks to Jason and he smiles. “Hey, mate.”
“Hi,” Jason whispers.
