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“How many Coleman cousins are there?”
Caden glanced at Max.
“Fifteen so far,” Max said. “We expect there’ll be many more before all is said and done.”
“Wow, that’s a lot of kids.”
“It is a madhouse,” Caden said, “but it’s fun. That’s my favorite day of the whole summer.”
Max hadn’t heard him say that before.
Chloe asked him about school and sports and who his friends were and what kind of pizza he liked.
“Meat lovers,” Caden said. “The more meat, the better.”
Max and Chloe shared a laugh, the first one ever as parents to the most exceptional boy who’d ever lived.
“Just like your dad,” she said with a smile for Max.
She stayed for two hours, until they could both see that Caden was getting tired. “I should go, but I want to thank you for such a lovely afternoon, Caden.”
“Thanks for coming.”
“I’d like to see you again sometime, if that’s all right with you and your dad.”
“It’s all right with me,” Caden said. “Is it okay with you, Dad?”
“Sure. We’ll make that happen.”
They walked her to the door.
“What should I call you?” Caden asked her.
“What do you want to call me? Anything is fine with me.”
“Um, well, you’re my mom, so I guess I should just call you that.”
Chloe’s eyes filled with tears. “I’d love that. Could I hug you?”
“Sure.”
A huge lump landed in Max’s throat as he watched them hug.
Chloe kissed Caden’s forehead. “I’ll be in touch.”
“Okay.”
“Bye, Daisy,” Chloe said, bending to give the dog a pat on the head.
Max walked her out. “So that’s our son.”
“I’ll never have the words to tell you what this has meant to me, Max. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. And I mean that… You’re welcome in our lives, Chloe. All I ask is that you don’t disappoint him.”
“I won’t. I promise.”
“Okay, then. I guess we’ll talk soon.”
