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ZACH
After I enter the house from my morning run, I hear Hope’s and William’s voices in the kitchen. I am glad that Hope has warmed up to William. They spend their mornings baking, talking, and drinking coffee. Since our marriage, morning breakfast is prepared by Hope while Grandpa William is busy with Ray. No offense to William but no one can beat Hope’s food. She definitely makes me run an extra mile every day.
When I walk inside our bedroom, as every morning for the past week, my gaze lands on the new couch. This cotton-velvet baby, in a teal-colored fabric, was delivered before my wife even woke up the first morning in this room. If she is more comfortable sleeping on the couch, I have no objection. I will do everything to make things easier for her.
And even if she sometimes says I’m insane or this marriage is insane, I think everything is turning out better than expected.
In the bathroom, I notice Hope’s toothbrush beside mine, her shampoo and shower gel bottles in the bath, next to which is the unopened packet of bath bombs I gave her two days ago.
According to the audiobook,How to be the best fucking husband, gift giving is a big part of making your wife happy. Especially when I can’t give Hope half of what the book suggests.
I shake my head before my happy mood takes a sappy turn and look at my face in the mirror.
All’s going well, Zach.Ray is safe, Hope is happy. Don’t mess with it by overthinking. You are doing great, champ.
After getting ready for the office, I amble toward the kitchen. My stomach twists a tiny bit as it’s been some time since I last ate. But as soon as I take my usual place on the breakfast bar, a coffee mug and a cupcake appear in front of me.
“Good morning,” I say after biting off Spiderman’s head. My mood already better when I grin at Hope and take a sip of the delicious coffee. She even makes the best coffee.
She nods and smiles back at me.
She is happy. I’m not hungry. And all’s perfect in the world.
I’m reading emails on my phone when something soft grazes my legs. I smile and look down at Mr. Stanley, who is here to wish me good morning.
“Who’s a good boy? You are, right?” I ruffle his head and talk to him some more in a gruff voice before Ray dashes toward me, followed by William.
“Master Ray, let me fix your hair.”
“Good morning, Dad.” He jumps on his stool before grinning at me.
The word dad tugs my heart, sending shivers through my body. I can never get tired of hearing him call me that. “Morning, buddy. You didn’t comb your hair?”
“I want to make it like yours, not like Grandpa Will.” Ray goes ahead proving why he’s the best freaking kid in the whole world.
“Grandpa Will is a gentleman,” Hope pipes in, placing a glass of chocolate milk beforeourson.
“And I am what?” My eyes widen in mock horror.
“You are theun-gentleman.” She stifles a smile and places two plates filled with Belgian waffles topped with strawberries and maple syrup dripping on the sweet bread. “Ray, let Grandpa Will comb your hair.” Her voice gets a rare stern lilt.
“Ray, buddy, Ma said it. She is the queen of the house. We got to listen to her if we want delicious food every day.”
Hope chuckles as I cut through the mouthwatering waffle.
“Just for that, you’ll get extra.” She winks at me when Ray finally lets William touch his hair.
My heart bursts out of my chest, feeling proud. I haven’t messed this up yet.
Let’s keep it like this, Zach.
“William, you spoke with the driver?” I gulp the last sip of my coffee.
“Yes, Mr. Teager, your driver is waiting for you.”
“And you’ll drive Ray to school?” Usually, I drop Ray but today I have an early meeting. I grab my case after kissing Ray’s forehead and turn to my wife. “Don’t forget the driver is going to pick you up in an hour.”
She balls the kitchen towel between her hands. “Why can’t I drive my own van? It’ll be easier for me to go to the bakery directly from your office. It’s just sitting in the garage gathering dust.”
