Chapter Colin Adams
COLIN ADAMS
Back home, I gave the kids my full attention—they were bickering again. Hanna still had that trademark habit of refusing to take “no” for an answer, and Joshua… well, patience was never his strongest trait. And who ends up in the middle of it all?
Yeah. Me.
I’ve gotten used to being the “problem-solver” around here—and I’ll admit, I kind of like it.
Both of them have made a ton of friends at school. Joshua, who used to keep to himself, now brings his friends over to the mansion every so often. It sounds ridiculous, but Hanna hates it. She tells me she gets jealous of her brother.
Go figure…
Deep down, I know it’s not really jealousy. She’s just so used to having Joshua around that—Actually, yeah, it’s jealousy.
“Dad, Joshua doesn’t even like me anymore,” she complained, even though the two of them were sitting right next to each other.
“I just don’t like playing with those dolls. It’s boring!”
“See, Dad?! Now only you and Mom love me!”
“Kids… we all love each other.”
“Hmm. Still…” She pouted.
“I play with you every day,” Joshua tried to defend himself. “But fake tea parties are boring.”
I couldn’t help it—I laughed. It was wrong, but I couldn’t stop myself.
“I don’t even like soccer, and I still go to your games to watch you—because I love you.”
Neither of us saw that coming. And I knew she meant it; she’d told me plenty of times she wasn’t a fan of soccer.
“Fine… we’ll play later.” He rolled his eyes, embarrassed.
Hanna laughed right away, thrilled with his surrender. That kid could charm anyone into anything.
I stayed with them for a few more minutes, and before long, they were chatting away like nothing had happened.
Then I headed to the kitchen—to grab my wife.
My wife.
I never thought I’d say that word again.
“How are the kids?” she asked.
“They fought a little, but they’re fine now.”
I told Isabelle the story, and she burst out laughing by the time I finished.
“I can’t believe the men in this house can’t say no to Hanna. It’s unbelievable!”
“Guilty as charged. I can’t help it—and honestly, now that applies to both of them. But someone else here also has trouble saying no to Joshua…”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” She stepped aside, feigning innocence.
“Oh, really?” I caught her by the waist, pulling her close. She shot me a suspicious look—she knew I was right.
“Okay, maybe a little trouble. Just a little,” she admitted.
I kissed her, then pressed my lips to her forehead.
“You know I love you, right?”
“Yes. Otherwise, you wouldn’t have married someone who drives you insane. I’m not easy to handle, but… neither are you.”
I lifted Isabelle in my arms and nipped lightly at her neck, brushing my stubble against her skin. Her laughter filled the room, mixed with little squeals.
“Stop it! I hate being tickled, Colin!”
“Not my problem! You’re gonna regret saying that.”
I carried her in my arms, still teasing her. When we passed the kids, they burst out laughing at the sight of their mother dangling off my back.
“What are you gonna do with her, Dad?”
“I’m putting her in time-out—and I’m gonna do terrible things to your mother.”
I made a goofy face as I hoisted Isabelle onto my back.
“Stop it, Colin,” she said between laughter and mock panic, because she knew exactly what I had in mind. “That’s not fair!”
“Oh, you’ll see, sweetheart.”
“Kids! Don’t let your father do this to me!”
“So, what do you say, kids?” I asked. “Can I make your mom suffer a little?”
They exchanged glances and then grinned at each other.
“Yeah, I’m fine with that,” Hanna said first.
“Me too,” Joshua chimed in.
“Great kids I’ve got…” Isabelle muttered.
I didn’t waste any time—I took off running with Isabelle clinging to my back like a koala.
It’s in these moments, the ones that seem so ordinary, that you realize life is made up of little details that mean everything.
I can honestly say I’m a happy man—a fulfilled man. And I love my family with every bit of who I am.