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Gabe processed Ben’s words, frowning his little eyebrows in concentration. “What you do with agewfwiend?”
“Yes, Benny, what do you do with a girlfriend?” Mia was seated sideways, one arm over the table and the other over the back of her chair, not caring one bit at Ben’s glare.
“Uhm, we go out...”
“Forice cweam?”
“Something like that. We play, we have fun, we tell each other what we like and don’t like.”
Gabe leaned his head to the side. “You kiss?”
“Yes, we do sometimes.”
“Why?”
“Because that’s how you show people you love them.” My eyes snapped at him, who looked at me sheepishly while squeezing my hand.
After nodding a few times, considering what he learned, Gabe turned to Zach. “That’s why you always kiss my mommy, Zachy? Because younoveher?”
Haley gasped. Mia choked on her juice, coughing repeatedly. Ben and Jackson burst out laughing. Mrs. Bryant and I didn’t know what to do. Zach had a wonderful smile spread on his face. He couldn’t contain it, even if he wanted to. By the pride in his eyes, he didn’t.
Mia coughed between broken chuckles, with tears streaming down her face. “What a wonderful day to be alive.”
“That’s right, kiddo. I love your mommy, and I love you, that’s why I kiss you both...differently, of course.” He mumbled the last words.
Despite being unequivocally shy about the whole situation, Haley’s eyes shined as she tried to suppress her beam.
“Inoveyou, too,” he added brightly. Being done with the conversation, he asked Mrs. Bryant, “Can I have cookies, Gamma?”
“Did you eat your whole dinner?”
“No.”
“Then just two.”
After dinner and cleaning the kitchen (with all hands on deck), we all went outside to relax. As Jackson, Haley, and Zach sat on the L-shaped sofa chatting, Mia sat on the floor, her back against the column near the stairs. She had one arm around Gabe’s waist, who was tucked between her crossed legs, munching on his cookies. As she brushed her cheek absentmindedly on his hair with her eyes closed, she petted Hugo, who was napping beside them.
Ben and I shared the cushioned porch swing, and I’ve never felt lighter. I leaned my head on his shoulder, and he put his arm around me, tucking me in closer while pushing the floor with his feet to swing us lightly.
Gabe gave a little jump on Mia’s lap, startling Hugo, who looked up with droopy eyes and rumpled fur, just to stretch and go back to sleep.
“Tinkow, I need totinkow.”
Zach stood up. “Come on, kiddo.” He grabbed the little boy’s hand. “Just like we practiced.”
As they headed to the bathroom, Mrs. Bryant was coming out with a beautifully wrapped package. My eyes rounded and I took in a breath when she handed it to me before sitting by my side.
“When I found out Ben was bringing another child into this family, loving the baby was immediate. Just like Gabe, your boy is another blessing for us. You can always find a family within us. Your baby will be a forever member of this group, just like you. So this is for you. Well, for your baby.”
My eyes were already watery, making it hard to see. I opened the package, careful not to tear the wrapping paper, and gasped when I lifted the lid. I pulled out the gorgeous pearly-colored knitted blanket and hugged it to my chest. Without thinking, I pulled her into a tight hug, choking on mythank you.
“Did you knit it yourself?”
“I sure did.” She seemed proud about it, as she should; it was wonderful. “Only my best for my grandkids.”
In one single afternoon, I felt more comfortable and accepted than I’d ever felt in my whole life. When I looked at Ben, his gratitude was clear, and so was his love.
“Thank you so much, Rosie. I could never pay you all.”
