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Ryan
Babs,Livvie,andIsit on the bow of the boat warming ourselves after a day of water skiing. I’ve got Babs tucked under my arm, my eyes closed. The sun’s beating down on my face, and I’m listening to the waves lap against the boat, making it rock from side to side.
Livvie’s scrolling through social media, like she always seems to do nowadays. All of a sudden she looks up from her phone. “I’m bored. Let’s play a game.”
“How about we play Graveyard? Everyone lies super still and the first person to move loses,” I say, yawning.
Babs snickers. “I’m in.”
“C’mon, please?” Livvie says, grabbing my arm and shaking it.
I straighten the cushion-cut Morganite stone on Carrie’s ring finger. It always seems to slide to the side. It still annoys me she wanted a small stone. I’ve paid more for tennis shoes than I paid for that ring. But that was the one she insisted on. So, she got it.
“I’ll play one game,” I say. “Then we’re heading home. I’ve got work in the morning.”
Livvie scowls. “Fine. But I choose the game.” She narrows her eyes at me in mock severity. “Truth or Dare.”
“Really?” I say, cocking a brow. “Can’t you think of any other game?”
“I like the game. I’d think you’d like it too since that’s how you won over your wife.”
Babs chuckles next to me. “She’s got a point.”
I sigh and say, “Dare.”
Livvie breaks out into a grin and says, “I dare you to sing an entire song at the top of your lungs.”
My stomach drops. “I’m tone deaf!”
“That’s what makes it a dare!” Livvie says, laughing.
I bellow a solid rendition ofRow Row Row Your Boat,glaring at Livvie the whole time while she films me with her phone. Probably for blackmail purposes later.
Babs laughs and claps when I’m done. “I think my ears are bleeding,” she jokes.
“Probably,” I say, sitting back down next to her. “I know mine are.” I turn to Babs and we exchange grins. “Truth or Dare, Babs,” I say.
She cocks her head to the side and looks at the sky as if thinking. “How about truth?”
Livvie rubs her hands together. “Oooh! I have so many questions! Can I ask her one?”
I shake my head. “It’s my turn. You can ask on your turn.” Turning back to Babs I say, “Do you want to have any more children?”
Livvie leans closer to us, her eyes wide. “Have you guys been talking about it?”
I shrug noncommittally. Then I turn to Babs, waiting expectantly.
Livvie makes grabby hands and yells, “Tell us. TELL US!”
“Funny you should ask," Babs says. "Because the doctor says we’ll be having one in eight months.”
Livvie squeals at the top of her lungs, then starts jumping up and down, making the boat rock.
Babs and I laugh until I pull my wife into a hug. Then I say to Livvie, “You’re okay with being a big sister?”
“Yes. Yes. Yes!” Livvie squeals before falling onto us into a group hug. “I’m going to be a big sister!”
I kiss the top of Livvie’s head, then I kiss Babs. After Fifteen years, a stint in rehab, and a whole lotta lonely nights, I finally get to spend the rest of my life with the girl of my dreams. Life can’t get any better than this.
