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I tamped it down and glanced at West, and he nodded, saying it was okay for me to take this one. “Sometimes adults want things for their own reasons, even if it doesn’t really make sense, and they don’t think about how it might hurt or upset other people.”
Wyatt said, “That sounds selfish.”
West jumped in. “It is. But in this case, all that matters is what you two want. And I think that’s to stay with me, right?”
Wyatt and Avery nodded.
Wyatt replied, “Yes. And with Emmy.” He looked at me. “You’re staying with us, right?”
I smiled. “I hope so. I love you both very much.”
Avery beamed. “We love you too, Emmy. And not just because you have a pool.”
I laughed, and even West smiled.
Then he sobered and asked, “You’re okay with Emmy being my girlfriend? I don’t want you to think I love you any less. But I think we have enough room in our family for one more.”
When Avery and Wyatt both didn’t hesitate to say, “Yes, we love her,” I blinked back tears. Not of sadness, but happiness.
Avery jumped up and came over to give me a hug. I held her close, not sure when I’d come to care for her so much it hurt. And yet I couldn’t imagine never seeing either of the twins again.
When Avery released me, she smiled. “Does this mean we get a little brother or sister now?”
West choked, and I laughed before answering, “That all comes later, much later. Right now, we need to make sure our little family can stay together, right? After that we can talk more about the future.”
Avery sighed. “Fine. But I hope I get a little brother one day. I want to spoil him and be able to tell him what to do. Because Wyatt doesn’t usually listen to me.”
Wyatt rolled his eyes, and I bit back a laugh, noticing how West was doing the same.
West said, “Going forward, if either of you ever have questions, or you think you hear something scary and panic, promise me you’ll talk to us, okay?” They bobbed their heads. “And no more running off. Promise me.”
He extended both of his pinky fingers. As his kids hooked their own around his, they both murmured, “I promise.”
After his kids released his fingers, West reached out and ruffled their hair. “We’re going to spend the day together, just the four of us. What should we do?”
Avery asked, “Can we go swimming today? It’s one of the last warm days of the year, and I don’t want to waste it.”
I glanced at West, and he shrugged. I answered, “Sure. Maybe we could have a barbecue for dinner.”
Wyatt asked, “Can the rest of the family come to dinner too? Uncle Nolan promised to kick a soccer ball around with me. Uncle Zach can’t, because his leg is still weak. But I want to play some soccer today too.”
Soccer always reminded me of my brother. However, I couldn’t ignore Wyatt’s passion just because my brother also liked it.
It was kind of like a new-parent lesson—learn to be interested in what your kids are, even if you’re less than enthusiastic about it. “I can try kicking the ball around. Beck might do it too.”
Wyatt looked at his father. “And you, Dad?”
West grunted. “Are you sure you don’t want to play baseball instead?”
Wyatt shook his head. “Baseball is boring.”
I nearly laughed at West’s bewildered face. “I’ll take you to a game next year, and maybe you’ll change your mind.”
“I doubt it. But if we go together, I’ll give it a try.”
Avery jumped in again. “Just don’t forget about our camping trip next year. I want to go with everyone.”
West sighed. “No one has agreed to do that yet, love.”
