Total pages in book: 64
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 61672 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 308(@200wpm)___ 247(@250wpm)___ 206(@300wpm)
“God, he even managed to get Caleb to work for him.” Grace shakes her head, even as her lips curve up slightly. Deep down, I know she’s glad Jack is growing up with lots of love from both sides of the family. Even Rosa has shaped up into a decent human being and a doting aunt to my kids.
Almost immediately after the wedding, my dad and Marco Esposito became friends. It seems to me they had always respected each other despite the intergenerational war.
Now that they’re both grandparents to the same kids, it’s not uncommon to find them smoking cigars together while showing each other photos of said kids on their phones.
The only person who hasn’t forgotten her scars is Gio’s widow, who never shows up in family events if she knows I’d be there. Frankly, I don’t blame her.
“Seems like a mutually beneficial arrangement to me. Haven’t you noticed Jack ‘helping’ us pick a present for Caleb for his last birthday?” I draw quotes in the air.
“You think maybe we’re spoiling him?”
“Jack? Nah. You’ve got to admit he was outgrowing his old outdoor set,” I say, gesturing at the playground I installed six years ago when Grace and Jack first moved in.
“I guess you’re right. I just—”
“What is that?” a high-pitched voice comes from behind us. We turn around to find our Ashley, our five-year-old daughter, stumbling out of the house, rubbing her eyes in disbelief.
People say kids are like little drunk people, and I’ve got to say, I do see that in my kids. With her messy hair and unsteady gait, Ashley looks like she’s just had a big night at the bar.
“It’s called a treehouse, honey. It’s a birthday gift for Jack.” Grace slings her arm around Ashley’s shoulders, but she slips away, slippery as an eel, then continues her dazed walk toward the treehouse.
I chuckle. These kids are the most hilarious roommates I’ve ever had in my life. “I can’t wait until Tiffany wakes up. She’s going to love it.”
Grace lets out another sigh. “She’s only three. The old playground is just fine for her. She loves it.”
“Sure. There’s no reason why she can’t enjoy both, though.” I grin.
“I can see this turning into a full-blown fight before noon.”
“What an optimist.” I pull her close and kiss her forehead. “Don’t worry. There’s plenty of space for the three of them up there.”
With three kids, I live a full life. I don’t always get to spend a whole day with them, though, unless it’s a special occasion like today. Grace somehow manages to hold down the fort, even taking the kids on vacations with her parents every few months.
“Mom! Dad!” Jack and Ashley hold onto the railing of the balcony and wave at us as they jump up and down, giggling and screaming.
We named our first daughter Ashley to remember the time we spent apart. Even if it was hard to go through, it’s still a big part of our story.
Grace laughs as we both wave back at the kids. “Okay, I admit it; it’s a great present.”
“I know.” I give her a smug grin.
The gleam of joy in Grace’s eyes is always going to bring me joy. Even though I see it all the time, I know I won’t ever get bored of it. Making her happy will always make me happy.
“I can’t believe he’s already nine.” Grace smiles as she gazes wistfully at the kids running in and out of the treehouse. She yells out, “Hey, be careful up there!”
“They’ll be fine. Scrapes and bruises are a normal part of childhood,” I parrot something I read from one of the parenting books Grace had her nose in one time.
The golden rays of the morning sun makes Grace seem like she’s almost glowing when she laughs. One decade after we first met, she looks just as gorgeous as ever. “You always know what to say. It’s annoying.”
“Oh, come on. You love it. You love me. You can’t help it.”
Grace looks at me through the corner of her eye. She’s not doing a good job at suppressing her smile. “Okay. Yeah, I do. But you can be really irritating sometimes, especially when you come home late and leave me to fend for myself among these little monsters.”
I’ve been busy. I know Grace gets worried when I’m busy. She thinks I’ll be roaming some back alley, hitting a guy into a pulp and tossing him into the garbage bin—or worse.
Six years ago, when Grace decided to stay in my life for good, I knew that was the path of least resistance for her. It was the best option for Jack.
I was elated that she’d choose to be with me, of course. But I also asked her again and again to make sure this was the life she wanted. Without fail, she said yes.