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Luke stands on two wobbly feet, arms in front of him. One, he points at me, and says, “Ma!” The other, he directs at Ryan. Then, taking the shakiest of steps, but wearing the biggest, brightest smile, he puts one foot in front of the other, and says, “Da!”
Ryan
CHAPTER 12
Harley gives those crazed fans a run for their money with the fuss she makes over Luke, albeit very quietly, so she doesn’t scare him. I can feel the excitement and pride coming off her in waves.
“He took his first step,” she whisper shrieks. “You are such a good boy. Wowee! Wow!”Gooing andgaaing, in a very un-Harley kind of way, she coaxes him to do it again. But this time, he plops onto his backside.
However, arms still uplifted, he points to her and says, “Ma!” Then at me and repeats, “Da!” At least, that’s what it sounds like.
Harley blinks a few times as if only now processing what he said on top of taking his first steps.
Not wanting to make her uncomfortable, I say, “I don’t know squat about babies other than that they’re adorable, but I have a feeling this little guy is going to be the future MVP QB for the Miami Riptide. Isn’t that right, little dude?” I’m not sure what comes over me at that moment, but when I look into Luke’s eyes, I don’t stop. “You are going to be a first-draft pick. Football is going to be as natural to you as walking. Ooh. I wonder if they make miniature footballs.” Turning to Harley, I ask, “Like one he could hold? Let’s see, and a very small jersey. I’ve seen those for sale. And wouldn’t he look cute in sneakers? I mean, cute in amanly way. But they’d just be so teeny tiny. I’m going to teach you all my moves and one day you’ll wow the world with your killer arm. Then you’ll win the Super Bowl and we’ll go to Disney World. Well, we can go before then too, but doesn’t that sound fun?”
Luke claps his hands together like he’s game, then busies himself with a light-up toy thingy with lots of flaps and buttons and stuff.
Harley blinks at me then shakes her head slowly as if not at all sure what to make of the last five minutes, never mind the day. Me neither.
“Is it safe to say that I can speak freely, and he’s not going to understand?” I ask.
“At this stage, he picks up on emotional cues more than specific words, but you never know what he might repeat. And for the record, he’s never said, um?—”
“Da!” I supply.
“Yeah.” Harley shifts uncomfortably.
I want nothing more than to take her in my arms, hold her, and promise her that everything is going to be fine. No, it’ll be great. It is already.
“When we got back here this morning, and I saw you swap the box of doughnuts for the baby...” Emotion fills my voice and I pause. “I saw him in your arms. Saw his eyes. I know yours even with mine closed.” I let out a sigh. “You didn’t have to tell me that the baby is yours. You didn’t have to hide it, either.”
Harley studies her clasped hands. “I was operating withlet him figure it outlogic.”
“Bad logic.”
“The story that came before Luke isn’t one I want to tell at the moment, or ever.” Harley, whose personality is so big it can push people out of stadiums, seems small right now.
“You don’t have to be ashamed of what happened with Luke’s father, especially if he’s the Givenator.”
For some reason, calling her ex the Givenator breaks thetension. An amused smile flits across Harley’s face. “That’s the most ridiculous name coming out of your mouth. Never say it again.”
“Is it on the list with hemorrhoids?”
She doubles over with laughter and Luke joins us with happy giggles.
We don’t talk about it more, for now, and join the family for sparklers before a bonfire on the beach. Luke must fall asleep in Harley’s arms because she disappears into the house where some contingent of her sisters’ families also get ready for bed, leaving me with Mr. Owens, Uncle Eddie, and Brando.
“No bad days,” Mr. Owens says.
“We going to have more of these?” his brother asks.
“I reckon so. What do you think of the pack returning to the island?”
“I think Martina would love it.” Uncle Eddie’s voice cracks.
Brando’s is thick when he says, “Being back, in some ways, it feels like she’s still here. But when I was far away, trying to escape missing her, it was a lot worse.”
“So, you’re staying?” I ask my best friend.
