“You’ll spoil them.”
“They deserve it. So do you.”
“Mum.” Jason runs over to me. “This is the best day ever.”
Tears prick my eyes. “I’m so glad you think so.”
“Bailey said there are penguins. Can we go and see them?” He tugs on my hand and my heart all at the same time.
“We can see everything, bud. We’ve got plenty of time,” Caleb says.
Jason lets go of my hand and throws his arms around Caleb’s waist. “Thank you.”
Caleb’s gaze catches mine. His chest heaves as he obviously struggles to contain his emotions. “You’re welcome,” he croaks.
Along the way we stop to look at the kiwis, and crayfish, but it’s the penguins Jason’s heart is set on.
His eyes are big as he watches them from behind the glass. Some of them are still on the beach part, but others are in the water. He drinks it all in.
I take Caleb’s hand and give it a squeeze.
He squats beside Jason. “I think feeding time is soon. Do you want to hang around?”
Jason nods. “They’re having so much fun.”
“I’m sure they have a lot of fun. Do you know they pick one who’s been naughty every month and one who’s been good? It’s like a little penguin competition.”
My son laughs, and Bailey takes hold of my arm. Her eyes are swimming with emotion, and while this is the first time she’s experienced any of this, I can see how much she loves this for her little brother.
“Are you having fun?”
She nods. “I wish we could have done this when we were his age.”
“Me too.”
Bailey rests her head against mine as the penguin handlers appear in the enclosure to feed them. Jason stands in awe, soaking up every word they say and leaning against Caleb.
We feel like a family.
I want this feeling to last forever.
When it’s over, Caleb and Jason, hand in hand walk through the rest of the exhibits ahead of us. Jason’s chattering like he’s never done before, and it’s all I can do not to fall apart.
Bailey and Kiera almost have to hold me up for part of it.
But my children are there to support me—they must be feeling it too.
“Can we go to the shop and buy a penguin?” Jason asks when we reach the end.
“I don’t?—”
“I’ll take him. Do you girls want anything?” Caleb asks.
“Caleb …”
He turns to me. “I want to do this. Do you want anything?”
I shake my head.
