AllFreeNovel
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I’m so, so lucky for everything I have, despite losing him.
Crossing my arms, I slowed my jog and fought a shiver that appeared from nowhere. We were all dressed in swimming togs from being in the pool. All of us mostly naked and dripping wet.
My happy yellow bikini with bumble bees on the straps and strings was new—a treat to myself to try to find my smile. Ayla wore a matching yellow and bee leotard, and the husbands shared similar sandy boardshorts just like they shared most of their wardrobe. Being the same height and size came in handy when their tastes swung in the same direction of moody browns and atmospheric greys.
None of them looked cold, yet I couldn’t stop the sudden trembling originating in my bones.
Rubbing my arms, I indulged the tossing of my daughter for another few moments before I became the voice of reason. “Okay, okay, that’s enough. You’ll make her throw up in a minute.”
“More. More!” Ayla shouted.
Eddie caught her, twisted her upside down, and blew raspberries on her round belly.
“Ahhh!” She squirmed and giggled.
My heart swelled, pinching with pain that was as common as breathing but suddenly seemed extra sharp.
The rumble of my parents’ old Jeep Wrangler sounded in the distance.
I held up my hand against the final red and gold spears of the setting sun, trying to peer down the road. It wasn’t unusual for them to pop round at this time. Either to kiss Ayla goodnight or to share a quick drink with the boys and me.
Keeping one eye on the street where the Jeep’s engine grew louder and one eye on my daughter currently being kissed to death, I smiled as the last light of the sun bounced off the Jeep’s windscreen as it appeared.
I waved.
I couldn’t see inside the Wrangler, but I didn’t care if it was Mum or Dad or both. They were always welcome.
Clapping my hands, I grinned at the two men currently playing tug of war with my daughter. Eddie had her legs, and Teddy had her around the chest.
“Who loves me the mostest?” Ayla yelled, freaking beside herself with laughter.
“Me!” Eddie chuckled.
“Nope. I do!” Teddy blew his husband a wink. “Me!”
“Yay!” Ayla beamed.
God, she’ll never go to sleep after this nonsense.
I rolled my eyes and laughed. “Alright, let’s all calm down so Mummy doesn’t have to be up all night with a hyperactive bouncing jellybean. Grandma and Grandpa are here to say night-night.”
“Double yay!” Ayla struggled in their arms. “Down. Down. I wanna say hi to Nana and Pop Pop.”
Laughing, Teddy placed her carefully onto her feet on the overgrown grass.
“Be careful,” Eddie said affectionately as she tore off toward the Jeep. “Look both ways before you cross the street, moonbeam!”
The Jeep parked on the opposite side of the road.
The sun threw one last glowing light off the windows, blinding me.
I waited for the door to open.
For Ayla to skip into my parents’ arms.
But then...something happened.
Something I couldn’t explain.
