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I know this is an emotional day for her on many levels. When my mom first sat me down when I was younger to explain her past to me, I didn’t know what to think. The person she described was nothing like the mom who doted on me and made sure everything in my world was right. I didn’t ask many questions at first.
But as I grew older, I asked more and more. And my mom was always open and honest with me, no matter how much I could tell that it hurt her. I could tell it was difficult at times and she was worried about how I would react, but she trusted me with the truth. That, in turn, made me more forgiving of my own mistakes.
If my mom could own the things she’d done, then there was no reason for me to ever feel ashamed of who I was or for any mistakes I made.
My mom is the entire reason I ended up where I am right now.
Well, that, and my dad’s money.
“You’re going to be great.” She pulls away and gives me a quick kiss on the cheek before giving my dad a chance to embrace me.
“You know how proud we both are of you, right?” he says.
“I know, Daddy.”
I don’t care how old I am, he’s still my daddy. To the world he may be a movie star, but to me, he’s always just been Dad.
He squeezes me one last time then pulls away, his hands still on my shoulders. “Should we go check that your brothers aren’t getting into any trouble?”
I smirk. “Absolutely.”
He wraps his arm around me, and as we head back down the hall toward the courtyard, I inhale deeply.
Jimmy
When we step out into the courtyard, I spot the twins goofing around behind the podium while they wait for the festivities to start. They spot us coming and I shake my head at them, hoping they’ll take the hint.
I swear, those two will be the death of me. Monica never much cared about the Hollywood lifestyle, but my boys are more than happy to try to reap the rewards of having me as their father. They’re not bad kids. They just take extra work to keep them on the right path.
I can’t imagine what it would be like if we’d raised them in Los Angeles. They’re bad enough when we visit. Even still, growing up in Northern California, they still had everything they could ever want and never hesitated to want more.
When we reach the podium, I address them. “Boys, keep it together, will you? This is a big day for your sister.”
“Noah started it,” Zac says.
“Bullshit, you—”
“That’s enough you two,” Lilah says, and they both shut their mouths.
I still haven’t figured out how she does it, but when she talks, they always listen. Hell, I do the same, so I guess it’s not that much of a mystery.
It’s been twenty years since I proposed to Lilah on the couch of her small place in Kansas, and my love for her has only grown. Life hasn’t been perfect, but I wouldn’t change anything. She’s as beautiful as she ever was and even more so inside. Motherhood and marriage have softened her in a way that I couldn’t predict, but she still has the same steel spine.
“You ready to do this?” I ask her, taking her hand.
She smiles at me without reservation. “Of course.”
Pushing up on her tiptoes, she gives me a chaste kiss that only leaves me wanting more. Twenty years and I still can’t get enough of this woman.
“I don’t say it enough, but thank you, my love. Without you, I wouldn’t be here, able to do this.” She runs her hand down my front, smoothing out my tie.
“That’s not true. You always had it in you.”
“Maybe, but without you as motivation, I may have never figured it out.”
She kisses me again, and this time I wrap my arm around her and pull her forward.
“C’mon, that’s so gross,” Noah says behind us.
