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I place my hand against his cheek. “Easy. He looks at her the way you look at me.”
His shoulders deflate, and he wraps his arms just a little tighter as he holds me. “I love you.”
“I know you do. He loves her too.”
We sit here for several long minutes. “Come on. I know your mom well enough to understand she’s in the kitchen freaking out right now. Besides, we should get going and let them get to their movie, and we have dinner with my parents tonight.” Climbing off his lap, I offer him my hand and pull him to his feet. Hand in hand, we make our way toward the kitchen.
I stop just outside the door when I hear Gerald’s deep voice. “It’s going to be fine, babe,” he says reassuringly. “I didn’t know they were here. We kind of sprung this on him.”
“He’s never seen me with a man.”
“Well, he’s going to have to get used to seeing me.”
“Gerald.”
“You mean too much to me. He’s a grown man, Grace.”
“He’s my son.”
“And I respect that. But you are my number one priority. I hate to see this tearing you up. I can’t handle that.”
“He’s just in shock, I think.”
I turn to look at Cameron, and the anger that was once there is gone. I cough, which is completely obvious and over-the-top, but I want to alert them we are on our way. I count to five and lead us into the kitchen. Gerald has his arms wrapped tight around Grace as her head rests on his chest. I wrap my arms around Cameron and put us in the same position, staring up at him. He nods. He gets it.
“Sorry about that,” Cameron speaks up. “I wasn’t expecting you.” His eyes are locked on Gerald.
“It’s all good,” Gerald replies easily.
Cameron releases me and steps forward. He offers Gerald his hand, and the two shake. Grace smiles, her eyes watering with tears as she pulls away from Gerald and hugs her son. “Love you,” Cameron mumbles.
“Love you too.” She holds him a little longer before stepping away.
Cameron immediately returns to my side, wrapping me up close. Gerald does the same with Grace. “We’re going to head out. Let the two of you get to that movie,” Cameron tells them.
“We should plan something,” Gerald voices. “Grace tells me your schedule is tight, but maybe once the season is over?”
It’s not lost on any of us that if we make the playoffs, the season could run several more weeks. Gerald just told us without telling us that he plans on sticking around.
“Yeah. Our days off are slim, but we should do that.” He looks down at me, and I see the question in his eyes. I nod. “You should come with Mom. To a game. I can, uh, make sure there are two tickets waiting.”
Gerald nods. “You tell us when and we’ll be there.”
Cameron nods. “Right. Okay, well, we’re heading out. Love you,” he tells his mom with a wave. We make our way out to his truck.
I wait until we’re on the road before turning to look at him. “You did good back there.”
“Thanks.” He laughs lightly, shaking his head.
“You know, it’s like you and my dad reversed roles,” I say, biting down on my cheek to keep from laughing.
“I owe your dad an apology.”
This time, I do laugh. “No, you don’t. You didn’t do anything wrong but love me and put me first.”
“You’ll always be first.”
His words send warmth to the center of my chest. I’m not sure who was looking out for me to bring Cameron into my life, but I’m grateful. He’s one of the good ones, and he’s all mine.
