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Holden chuckles but doesn’t deny it.
“Are you sure Sydney was okay with coming later? Lana usually wakes up even earlier than Joey does. Sydney will have to feed her two breakfasts.”
“Then she’ll feed her two breakfasts.”
I nod, gnawing on my bottom lip.
I feel guilty, I guess. I found out I was pregnant with Joey during my final year of vet school, about six months after me and Holden got married. We weren’t trying, but we weren’t doing a whole lot to prevent a pregnancy either.
Holden was ecstatic. So were my parents and my siblings. And my soon-to-be-stepmother, Elena. She and my dad are getting married next summer. I’m not sure it’ll ever not be weird for me. If I’ll ever get over wishing my parents’ marriage hadn’t ended. But they both seem happy, and that’s what I try to focus on.
Sydney was the person I was most nervous to tell about my pregnancy. She never finished college. Never dated her child’s father, much less married him. Didn’t have her parents to rely on for support.
I knew she’d be thrilled for me, but I was—am—hyperaware of how different our parenting journeys have been.
Harrison stepped up. He and Sydney share custody of Lana, alternating weekends and holidays. He pays child support. But they’ve never lived together. Sydney has never been able to sleep in on a Sunday she has Lana because someone else has already taken care of everything. I wouldn’t blame her for resenting how much easier I have it.
Holden is an amazing dad and an incredible partner. He made the decision to retire from basketball when he could have continued playing so he could support me and not miss any of Joey’s childhood. He’s a stay-at-home-dad, and also assistant coaches the high school’s basketball team. I can’t imagine what these past couple of years would have been like without him, and I’m in awe of Sydney’s strength.
I drain the rest of my mug. A quick glance at Joey confirms he’s still happily shoveling his sand, so I set the ceramic cup on the railing and descend the deck stairs. The cold pavers that lead from the deck to the edge of the driveway wake me up more than the hot coffee did.
Holden takes a shot, watching me approach. It was the first thing he did when we bought this place, installing a hoop above the garage door. It reminds me of his driveway across from mine, and I know that was exactly his intention.
He makes the shot, of course.
But I catch the rebound, approaching him with the basketball clutched to my chest.
“Thank you,” I tell him.
He grins. “For what?”
I mean to saytaking care of Joeyorcleaningorletting me sleep in. But what comes out is “This life.”
His smile softens. “You never have to thank me for that, flower.”
* * *
The doorbell rings at ten on the dot. Sydney is nothing if not punctual.
“Holden!” I call. “Get the door!”
“What?” His reply is loud but muffled. He must be upstairs.
“DOOR!” I holler.
Milo starts barking in response to my shout, the sharp sound ringing in my ears. He’s been perched by my feet ever since I pulled the package of bacon out of the fridge, eagerly waiting for a piece to hit the floor. Eileen “adopted” him, only to tell me after I graduated college that she always knew he was meant to be my dog. Holden and I have had him ever since.
“What?”
“THE DOOR! Can’t you hear the doorbell?”
Between Milo’s barking and the sizzle of oil in the pan, I can barely make out Holden’s answer. But I catch enough to gather he’s changing Joey’s diaper, so I turn the burner all the way down and then hustle toward the entryway. Just in time to see Sydney closing the front door.
“Hey.” My best friend shoots me a bright smile before shrugging out of her fleece jacket. “I know it’s probably rude to let yourself into someone else’s house, but you guys did give me a key. Plus, it sounded like things were a little crazy in here.”
“Just a little.”
I give Sydney a hug, then bend down to kiss the top of Lana’s blonde head. She’s happily playing with Milo, who’s lapping up the attention. My niece adores animals, which I take full credit for. She has a massive collection of stuffed animals to make up for their apartment complex not allowing pets.
