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“No,” she stated, snapping her neck.

“Oh. Well, uh…” I didn’t exactly know how to respond, too tickled with her display of sassiness.

“It’s for daddy.”

“Okay. It’s the second picture this week for daddy. Does mom get any?”

Her obsession with Luca hadn’t gotten any better. It had actually gotten worse. Their father-daughter relationship was the purest, kindest, and most gentle I’d ever witnessed. During my downtime, they seemed to get even closer. I wasn’t sure if that was possible but they’d proved me wrong.

“Next week.”

“Alright. I’m going to hold it to you. Speaking of daddy, where is he?”

“Making dinner.”

Just as she mentioned it, the seasonings hit my nose and made my stomach growl.

“And, where’s Lucas?”

“In the kitchen,” Essence answered.

Emoree was over me the minute I asked about someone besides her. For her to have so many siblings, she still suffered fromonly-childsyndrome. I doubted it was something she’d ever overcome.

“Thanks, Es. Get everyone washed up and ready for dinner. I’m going to check on the guys.”

“Okay.”

I headed for the kitchen, allowing the aroma to lead the way. When I entered and saw Luca mixing the salad with Lucas not too far, chilling in his car seat, I couldn’t help but take a second to savor what was before me. I’d envisioned a better life all those years ago, but I’d never imagined this level of perfection and pure satisfaction. My heart was full watching them both. My boys.

“You’re home,” Luca rejoiced, finally noticing me.

He was all up on me and all in my space before I could manage to respond. His lips were as soft as they’d always been when they landed on my forehead and then my lips. I kissed him hard and I kissed him deeply, only ending the connection at the sound of Lucas’ whimpers.

“I’ve missed you,” Luca whispered against my mouth.

“I’ve missed you.”

I had. Although he was right there with me through it all, I missed the version of him that didn’t carry so much weight or have double the responsibility. I missed the version of him that required my presence and my light. My heaviness had spilled over into his world and I could see it on his face each day. But, we were in such a better space that I knew it wouldn’t be long before my Luca resurfaced.

“I need to feed him.”

“Yeah. He’s about to start tripping.”

“I see.”

Slowly, I reached into the car seat that Luca had on the counter and pulled Lucas into my arms. Before honoring his request for food, I pressed his body against mine and rocked from one side to the other. His birth had taken so much from me and required so much of me that I once hated the thought of it. But, now, as the bandaids were being ripped from my wounds, I was thankful that I had them. Lucas’ birth only made the real. They’d already been present. He forced me to face them, remember they existed, acknowledge them, and begin to heal them.

“Hey, momma’s man. Hey.”

As if he could hear my thoughts, Luca appeared with the wrap that I was about to search for. With Lucas in my arms, I began wrapping us properly so that I could free my hands to help Luca as he emptied my breasts.

“I’m ready. I’ve decided to go into the bakery tomorrow and spend some time there. Essence wants some cookies so I’m going to make us a batch,” I revealed while unhooking my bra to give Lucas access to his milk supply.

“Yeah? That’s good shit, baby.”

The cheer in his voice was the most rewarding thing I’d ever heard.

“You think it’s a good idea?”

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