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I sit watching them play peek-a-boo as Kiran pops his head in and out of the tent. The love they have for one another is undeniable.
Kiran runs my way, and I pretend to let him tackle me back onto the ground, lifting him up into the air. “Kiran, the airplane, you wanna fly?”
He just laughs as I zoom him through the air above me, bringing him down and blowing raspberries on his belly every few seconds. His happiness is contagious.
“Your tummy is growling… Are you hungry, Lil’ Champ?”
“He’s probably getting hungry. I have a few pouches, but I should go to the store and get some groceries. Do you want him to stay here with you while I do that?”
“Of course… But I actually ran out to the store and got the milk you had at Lottie and G’s, plus I picked up some fruits since those seemed like something easy for him to chew.”
“Why are you so good at this already?” I sit Kiran down, moving toward Emerson.
“Is that a complaint?” I tease and start tickling her, loving the smile spreading across her face.
“No…no, no,” she says, chuckling as she tries to catch her breath. I find her sweet spot right on her side and Kiran joins me.
“Mama, tickle.”
“Lennox…stop it, now.” She can’t stop giggling, and Kiran gets in her face, pecking slobbery kisses all over her, causing us all to laugh even more.
I finally relent and lie on my back beside her. Within a few seconds, Kiran is giving me those same slobbery kisses. His innocence and immediate love for me spreads warmth through my chest, one I’ve never known.
A gentle knock at my door breaks up our moment.
“I’m not expecting anyone. Was Lottie bringing something for you?” I ask, walking over to the window and peeking through the blinds. The car I see in the driveway gives me pause.
Shit, I didn’t have time to tell her.
Turning my body toward Emerson, she’s now perched up on her elbows. I keep my voice even, knowing this is probably going to freak her out. “It’s my mom.”
Emerson’s eyes go wide. “Does she know?”
I shake my head. “No, I wanted to tell her in person, but I was waiting for the results.”
Another louder knock sounds through the house, and Emerson finally snaps out of it and stands up. I place a kiss to the top of her head and rub my hands up and down her arms. Her emotional eyes meet mine. “I just don’t want her to hate me for keeping him from y’all.”
“Sonny, she could never hate you. Even when I was trying to, she was the only one who always said she knew you would come back. She’s going to be so excited to meet Kiran. I know it’s a lot, but I promise Isla Monroe will always love you.”
“Lennox…” She says my name like a lifeline. “I just don’t think I can relive that night for a third time in twenty-four hours.”
The despair in her voice amplifies the hatred I feel for a corpse lying six feet under. I officially understand the termrot in hellbecause envisioning him doing just that doesn’t quite satisfy my need to torture him, but it helps.
I swallow roughly before speaking. “I’ll tell my mom that I can explain things more thoroughly later. If you are comfortable with that?”
My phone rings, and it’s my mom calling. I don’t move from Emerson as I answer the phone. “Sorry, Ma, I’m coming. Give me just a second.”
“Okay, I made some pound cake and thought you could eat some since you aren’t in training camp right now.” My sweet mom always tries to make sure I have some of my favorite indulgences when I have a break from my more intensive training and dieting.
“My favorite. I’ll be right there.” I hang up just as Kiran starts to babble.
Emerson scoops him up in her arms, and he plays with a strand of her purple hair. “If this is all too much, you two can stay in here or in my room and I can get her out of here quickly.”
“No…I want to see her. I’m tired of hiding. I don’t want to blindside her, though, so at least let her know I’m here before we come out. We can tell her the rest together.” She gives me a reassuring smile. Excitement floods me at the thought of my mom meeting her grandson.
I walk quickly to my door, feeling guilty for leaving my mom standing outside. Slinging it open, I’m greeted by my beautiful mother’s smile. “Hi, honey,” she says, stepping into my place.
Grabbing the food out of her hand, I give her a peck on the cheek. “Hey, Ma.”
