Page 101 of Falling Together

“You think it’s going to be this easy with our kid?” I ask.

“I hope so.”

The two of us work together making dinner while we watch the boys play outside. I’ve missed this feeling. Having someone by my side to help with the little things. To talk about our day together. To cook together.

It’s nice not being on my own.

It’s even better that I get to do these things with Georgia. She slathers the butter on a French loaf for garlic bread when a wail cuts through the contented quiet.

“What’s wrong?” I drop the gnocchi in the sink, not caring what happens to it.

“I have a boo-boo,” Max cries.

“Let me see.” I hoist him up onto the counter. It’s a small scrape, a tad red, but no blood.

“Sorry, Max,” Luke says, coming up beside him.

“It’s okay,” he says, wiping his nose.

“I’ll clean it up and then why don’t we have some dinner, okay?”

Max nods. Georgia passes me a warm washcloth and I press it against his knee. He lets out a small whine, but he handles it like a champ.

“What were you guys doing out there?” I ask.

“Luke was teaching me baseball,” he says.

“You were?” My eyes shoot to Luke’s.

He shrugs a shoulder. “We had a ball and some sticks. I figured it’d be easy.”

Georgia nudges me from the side. I know exactly what it means.

Play it cool, you idiot.

Because if I give any attention to Luke having interest in baseball again, I’ll kill it before it takes hold.

“Did you score a run?” I ask Max.

Max looks to Luke who nods. “He did. He won the game.”

That brightens Max’s face. “Yay.”

“I think you’re all set. Why don’t you two go set the table and I’ll bring dinner out.”

Luke grabs the bowls and has Max help him. It’s hard not to watch the two of them work together.

“They’re really sweet together,” Georgia whispers, helping me finish dinner.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but Luke is going to be a really good big brother.”

“Nothing to jinx. Max already adores him, and I have a feeling our baby will be just the same.”

I kiss her before ewws hit our ears.

“You kiss like Mommy and Dad,” Max says.

“Yeah, it’s gross.” Luke laughs.