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“Do you mean intimidate someone?” I ask.
“That’s what I said.” She nods. Only her way sounds so much cuter.
“Did it work?”
“I was a little worried there for a minute,” I tell her. “It was a pretty good stare down.”
Regan looks over at Riley and they offer one another a smile, before the sweetest little fist bump. And right then I fall a little more in love with them both. We continue our game until the girls get bored and then move into the living room to start a movie.
Zoey has messaged several times asking if they were being good and one of the times, I let the girls call her instead of responding.I sat back listening to them both gush about the fun they were having and Emma and even Lucyawwas the girls explained everything we’ve done.
We made cookies, went for a walk, played tag in the yard. We even went to visit Grams, where she insisted on painting the girls’ fingernails. I thought I could tucker them out enough that they’d be ready for bed but frankly I think I’m the only one who is exhausted.
We all three climb up on the couch, one girl on either side of me. A large blanket thrown over us, they lay their heads on my chest just as the movie begins.
That is the last thing I remember before I’m jolted awake by the feeling of someone’s hand on my cheek.
“Hey.” I blink a few times until Zoey becomes clear, then immediately I look for the girls. Both still at my sides, holding onto me securely.
“They adore you,” she tells me, regaining my full attention. “You are so great with them.”
“They are like my two tiny best friends,” I confess without hesitation. “Today, it was perfect. Minus you being gone, but Zoey, honestly the three of us had such an amazing time.”
“I know,” she whispers running her hand over Riley’s hair as she glances at Regan. “I’m so glad they have you.” Her confession means the world considering she fought it so hard.
“I can honestly say I don’t remember what life was like without them.” I kiss each of their foreheads. “And you.” I glance back in her direction.
“Join us.” I lift up the edge of the blanket and she climbs beneath. She settles in and over the top of Riley’s head she leans in to kiss me.
“I decided something tonight,” Zoey confesses.
“What did you decide?”
“To love you without fear.” She holds my gaze. “To embrace the life you’re offering us, and to let go of the past.”
“That sounds like a really great choice.”
“It does.” She smiles.
“Why you’re making all these life-changing decisions, maybe you can consider one more thing?”
She arches her brow, waiting for me to continue.
“Maybe you could help me make this house a real home and move you and the girls in here permanently.”
Zoey’s eyes widen and I can’t help but chuckle. “Don’t shy up on me now, remember without fear.”
Zoey takes a deep breath, holding my stare for a few seconds, leaving me to wonder what she is thinking. “We’ll see what the girls have to say about it in the morning.”
“In that case, I guess we better rent a U-Haul because my two best pals are gonna be on my side.”
“Oh we have sides now?” Zoey tries to be serious but she can’t hide her smile.
“Yeah, mine and ours.” He nods to the girls. Zoey rolls her eyes as she snuggles in and within minutes, she is falling asleep.
And in that moment, I realize I’m holding the world in my arms.
My world, everything I want and need. My girls.
