Chapter 2 Tyler
TYLER
A squeal peeled through the house. I rolled to the side, taking in my wife sleeping next to me. She had on a black satin bonnet and her mouth was halfway open.
She blinked her eyes groggily and mumbled, “Sounds like Tatiana is awake.”
I smiled at her sleepy face, her features more familiar than my own at this point. “I think she saw your Christmas setup.”
Her eyes flew open, and she sprung out of the bed faster than I even knew she could with the equivalent of a watermelon strapped to her belly. Her feet tapped lightly over the floor as she went to the living room to see her daughter.
I cast my blankets aside and followed them, just in time to see Tatiana dancing on the rug, unable to even stand still as she took it all in. Her messy curls waved as she turned and looked at Hen and me, saying, “Santa came!”
Henrietta grinned at our daughter, “How do you know?”
Tatiana pointed excitedly at the footprints made of flour, and then held up a cookie, saying, “Santa ate this! Santa!”
I chuckled at her excitement.
“Can I have the rest?” Tatiana asked.
Henrietta and I exchanged a look. We usually didn't’ allow sweets so early, but she was going to have a sugar buzz as soon as we got to Griffen Farms, so I shrugged.
Henrietta brushed back T’s hair and said, “Go ahead, baby.”
Grinning, Tatiana shoved the whole thing in her mouth, leaving crumbs and frosting falling down her chin.
“Oh my,” Hen said, looking horrified.
I chuckled as I shook my head. “She doesn’t do anything halfway, does she?”
“Not at all,” Hen agreed.
Tatianna picked up one of the presents, shaking it wildly. “Can I open it? Please, please, please?”
I looked at Hen to make sure. We hadn't exactly discussed a timeline for opening presents. But she nodded, so I said, “Go ahead, hon.”
Hen rubbed her back, saying, “We'll sit on the couch and watch you.”
While she sat down, I stood behind her, rubbing her shoulders while Tati tore through the first present. Then she tugged my hand, guiding me around the couch to sit by her. As soon as I sat down, she tugged my arm over her shoulders, and I smiled over at her.
Her dark eyes shone with happiness.
I could feel it too.
It was hard to believe that all those years ago, we had been newly in love, making decisions about how our relationship would affect our careers, our families. Now I had everything that had been too outlandish to hope for back then.
A beautiful wife who was the best mother to our child.
A daughter just as incredible as her mom.
A son on the way.
A home.
A life that was better than I could have ever imagined.