“Yay!”
I always worry about River not having anyone to play with. There were other kids at the play area when we were at testing. And Matteo said that there will be kids there at race time too. So at least he won’t be alone. When I got offered the job, I worried about being a single mom. And trying to find child care. But they’ve made it so easy. I can’t believe how lucky I am.
River runs to the door asking who it is. We hear Emerson laugh and tell him. River opens the door and flings himself into Emerson’s arms.
“Mama says you’re taking us to Lake Wenegade.”
“I am, and you’re going to love it there. We have animals for you to play with too.”
“What kind of animals?”
“Well, we have otters, tigers, polar bears and a few other animals.”
“And I can play with dem?”
“Yes, you’ll be able to play with them and I have nephews and nieces that are your age. You’ll get to play with them too.”
“Yay! I can show dem my motocycle.”
Emerson smiles. “I think they’d love that. Are you hungry? My mama made lunch for everyone.”
“Yes. I hungry.”
I smile as I watch them interact, this is what I’ve secretly wanted. River to have a strong man to look up to. And I don’t mean he has to be physically strong. But Emerson is everything I could’ve hoped for. He even holds my hand when we’re in the car. I’ve had relationships, but none of them have ever done these little things he does. Holding my hand, kissing me randomly, always touching me as he walks by and just making me feel wanted no matter what we’re doing.
When we get back to his house, everyone is waiting on us to start eating.
“It’s about time. I’m pretty sure I’ve lost weight while I’ve been sitting here starving,” Easton says as he squints at us.
“Why couldn’t you eat?” I laugh.
Easton and his brothers all look at their mom. She smiles at them and I’m not sure it’s a nice smile. It feels like a ‘don’t mess with Mama’ smile.
“I raised all of you to be thoughtful of others. And now that we’re all together, we can eat.”
“Finally,” Elias says under his breath.
“Maybe you don’t need to eat,” Élodie says to him.
“But…I’m sorry, Mama. I’m really happy to all be together and I can’t wait to eat this delicious lunch you made.”
River is giggling. He has no idea what’s going on, but the looks on everyone’s faces, I’m sure that’s what’s making him laugh.
Élodie frowns at Elias as she passes out the food, making sure she serves him last. Everyone tells me about Lake Renegade and I love it already.
“The jet is ready whenever we are,” Aiden says to everyone as he’s looking at his phone.
“Should we leave early? If we leave now, we’ll be there by 10 p.m. our time, and it’ll be like 4 p.m. there. And River will probably get a good nap in on the plane,” Élodie says.
“We could have dinner with them and then sleep, so that sounds good. Let’s clean up and head to the airport,” my da says.
I stand up and help Élodie and Eden clear the table and get the dishes done.
“Come on little man, let’s get the suitcases in the car.” The smile on River’s face is huge. I love how they make him a part of what they’re doing. Like he’s always been a part of the family.
Emerson
River gets so excited when he sees the plane. I love how curious he is about everything. And I can tell my parents love having him around. They’re always asking us when my brothers and I are going to find a nice girl and settle down.
