Page 125 of The Blessing

I force myself to look so contrite that Ronnie gives me a small smile and a kiss on the cheek before heading to the bathroom to shower. I entertain Grey while she’s getting ready, making sure he doesn’t take a peek into the living room. When he starts to get fussy, I run to the kitchen to grab him a snack, bringing it back into the bedroom. He smiles as soon as he sees food in my hands, but then pouts when he sees it’s just a banana. I’d bring more, but I want us to have his birthday breakfast as a family.

The small snack keeps him satisfied for the duration of the time it takes Ronnie to get herself ready. When she exits the bathroom, she looks so fucking beautiful that it takes my breath away. Her hair is curled and pulled back from her glowing face. Her makeup is light, and she’s wearing a pretty dress that has shorts. I have no idea what the fuck it is—it looks like one of those onesies I put Grey in—regardless, it’s fucking hot on her.

“You look hot, babe.”

She blushes and smiles at me. Hell, she always blushes when I call her “hot” and I have no idea why. Is she unaware of how beautiful and tempting she is?

“So do you,” she tells me before joining Grey and me on the floor. “Happy birthday, baby boy,” she coos before picking him up and holding him close to her heart.

“Mama,” he says before practically motorboating her tits, and then turns his head my way to give me a giant grin.

“He’s been pretty excited all morning,” I inform her with a laugh.

Ronnie kisses his little nose before suggesting, “Maybe we can show him all the decorations now?”

She looks just as excited as our son. I’m excited, as well. It’s been so long since I’ve seen a day like this. A day where I’m truly, deeply happy. Everything feels like it’s coming together for once in my life. I never realized moments like these could be so meaningful. Who knew a quiet moment in my bedroom with my son and fiancée could impact me so much? Such a simple thing could become something I’ll remember forever.

I smile at my sappy thoughts, then Ronnie’s inquisitive look brings me back to reality. “Let’s go check it out,” I tell Grey, standing up off the floor before helping Ronnie to her feet.

The look on Grey’s face as we enter the decorated living room is one which I’ll never forget. His eyes are wide with amazement; his face is lit up with a huge smile; his entire body is shaking with excitement as he takes in all the work Ronnie did for his little party. Gibberish flies out of his mouth as he looks around at the Winnie-the-Pooh balloons, Winnie-the-Pooh party banners, and the numerous Winnie the Pooh decorations. It’s as if he’s trying to tell us how much he loves everything. I pull my phone out and take a few pictures of Ronnie and our son. The pictures capture my son’s astonishment and my girl’s happiness. As I’m snapping pictures, she looks down at our son, her eyes are watery but her smile is bright and loving. I can feel the love radiating off of her as I take each picture. The way she looks at Grey makes my eyes water. She has no biological connection to him, yet she loves him as if he were her own. I wish I’d received that type of love when I was growing up. Ronnie loves him unconditionally. She expects nothing in return. I’m so thankful my son has a woman like her in his life.

“Want me to take a picture of you with Greyson?” Ronnie asks when she notices me snapping photos.

I smile and hand her my phone. Grey’s still vibrating with excitement as she passes him off to me. I’ve never seen him this giddy. My cheeks ache as I smile for the camera. I guess I’ve been smiling all morning and haven’t realized it.

“That’s a cute one,” Ronnie says before taking another photo. “What do you think of all of this, birthday boy?” she asks as she hands me back my phone.

“Mama,” Grey says, smiling in approval.

I carry him around the room, showing him each and every detail. He looks more and more excited with each thing he sees. If he’s this pumped up now, I can’t imagine how thrilled he’ll be when he sees the cake. The cake is so fucking extravagant, I was shocked. Of course, Ronnie purchased it from a nearby bakery, stating it was beyond anything she could ever do. The fact that anyone could make a cake like that is fucking unreal to me. She did make some Winnie-the-Pooh cupcakes and other desserts—which look just as incredible in my biased opinion. Just knowing she slaved away in the kitchen for our son makes her desserts the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen.

“Are you ready for your birthday breakfast, buddy?” I ask as we walk toward the kitchen.

His little tummy responds with a loud grumble, causing us to laugh. I sit him in his highchair, then start to get his breakfast ready. All the while I try to ignore the uncomfortable twisting that’s developed in my stomach. Whenever things seem to be going right, something always comes along to fuck it up. Maybe I’m just a pessimist, but with the life I’ve led so far, it’s hard not to be. I’m always waiting for the other shoe to drop. It’s just that I’m so happy right now, so much so, life seems fucking unreal to me. I shove the unpleasant thoughts aside and try to enjoy happiness while I have it.

I turn on morning cartoons for some background noise before going back to help Ronnie cook Grey’s favorite meal: apple and potato pancakes. He’s babbling away in his chair and gazing over at the television as it plays reruns of Courage, the Cowardly Dog. Everything’s all right, I tell myself as I look at him. You’re just not used to feeling so content. Stop being so negative, Trevor! I smile, although, it feels more forced than it did earlier in the morning.

“Is something wrong?” Ronnie asks as she finishes up the pancakes and begins to plate them.

“No,” I say too quickly. “No, I was just thinking. I can’t believe Grey’s growing up so fast.” An unconvincing laugh escapes my lips and I cringe.

She gives me an odd look before her face relaxes and she smiles at me. “Yeah, he’ll be a toddler before we know it.” She stops to look at me again. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“No. It’s fine, baby.”

Instead of pushing the issue, Ronnie kisses my cheek before turning her attention back to our son.

“Breakfast is served for the birthday boy!” She coos as she sets the plate of pancakes before him, then takes a seat at his side to help him eat.

Grey claps his hands in excitement as he looks at his meal before he, quite literally, digs in. He scoops up a handful of his pancake and attempts to shove it into his mouth before Ronnie stops him.

“Slow down, birthday boy.” She giggles.

“Do you want me to make you some tea?”

She turns to smile at me and answers, “Yes, please,” before turning her attention back to our overzealous son.

I make a cup of Earl Grey for her and a cup of black coffee for myself. I down one cup of coffee and pour another before joining my family back at the table. I’m going to need a hell of a lot of coffee today, as I can already tell it’s going to be exhausting. If Evelyn does show up, she’s going to be stuck in my small apartment with my mom and dad. It’s going to be fucking awkward to say the least. I’m going to do my best to keep all of my focus on the birthday boy; I don’t want to let any drama ruin his party.