Chapter 5 #2
When we first got together, he would smile but he was always holding back. Like he was afraid that we would end at any giving moment. But as time passed, his smile turned real and his laughter made more appearances until it was just an everyday thing.
Today... Today he looked happy. Really happy. Exactly the way a father celebrating his daughters' first birthday should.
"Kelly!"
I turned to find Sarah walking toward me carrying a wrapped gift nearly as big as she was. Behind her came Devil, balancing two more presents while pretending they weren't heavy.
"You trying to outdo everyone?" I teased.
Devil grinned.
"I've got daughters to spoil."
Sarah rolled her eyes dramatically.
"He's worse than Mason."
"I heard that," Devil replied.
"I wanted you to."
We all laughed.
The next hour passed in a blur. Old ladies gathered around the food table sharing recipes and stories while keeping one eye on the children.
The brothers drifted between the grill, coolers, and picnic tables, laughing louder with every passing minute.
Every few seconds someone stopped to admire the twins.
"Oh, look at those bows."
"They're getting so big."
"They have Mason's eyes."
"No..."
"They definitely got Kelly's smile."
My cheeks actually started hurting from smiling so much.
This... This was everything I'd dreamed our life could become. There was only one sore spot on this day, and that was that my mom and dad were missing. They’ve been gone for two years now and every once in a while something will happen and I’d wish I could take back all the years I spent ignoring their calls.
I had just finished helping Bella refill the lemonade dispenser when I realized something. It was quiet. Too quiet. I looked around instinctively.
"Where's Johnny?"
Bella followed my gaze. "He was just playing with the other kids."
"I know."
Every parent knows that feeling. When the loud child suddenly becomes silent... Something is happening.
"I'll be right back."
Bella nodded knowingly. "I'll keep an eye on the girls."
I started walking around the backyard, weaving between tables filled with laughing bikers and children running in every direction.
"Johnny?" I called.
No answer.
I checked behind the bounce house someone had brought. Nothing. Near the swing set. Still nothing.
Then I heard voices coming from around the side of the garage. Little voices. I slowed my steps. Curious now.
Peeking around the corner, I found Johnny standing with his hands planted firmly across his chest. Across from him stood three little boys about his age. And beside Johnny...Was Tara. A little girl Johnny asked to invite from school.
She looked completely confused. Johnny, however... Looked deadly serious.
"I'm telling you," he said firmly. "You can't play with Tara."
One of the boys frowned.
"Why?"
"Cause she's my friend."
"We can all be friends."
Johnny shook his head so hard his hair flopped into his eyes.
"No."
The smallest boy looked genuinely confused.
"Why not?"
Johnny answered without missing a beat.
"Because she's already got a best friend." He jabbed a thumb proudly against his own chest. "Me."
Tara blinked.
"I do?"
Johnny looked at her like she'd asked the dumbest question in history.
"Yeah."
The boys exchanged glances.
One shrugged.
"But she can have more than one friend."
Johnny crossed his arms. "Nope."
"Why?"
"Cause then she wouldn't be my best friend anymore."
I bit the inside of my cheek to stop myself from laughing. The sincerity in his voice... It was impossible not to find it adorable.
Tara looked at the boys before looking back at Johnny.
"I can have more than one friend."
Johnny's shoulders slumped.
"You can?"
"Yeah."
"But..." He looked honestly heartbroken. "...then who's gonna be your best friend?"
Without hesitation, Tara reached over and took his hand.
"You are."
Johnny stared at their joined hands for a second. Then a grin slowly spread across his face.
"Oh." He looked back at the boys. "...You can play."
The boys looked relieved.
"Thanks."
Within seconds all five kids were running toward the yard together as if the negotiation had never happened. I couldn't help it. I laughed. Johnny spun around when he heard me. His face turning bright red.
"Mom..."
I walked over and crouched in front of him.
"So..."
He immediately looked guilty.
"I wasn't being mean."
"I know."
"I just..." He glanced toward Tara, now laughing with the other children. "...didn't want her to stop being my friend."
My heart melted. I brushed his messy hair away from his forehead.
"You know something?"
"What?"
"The really good friends..." I smiled. "...always make room for more."
He thought about that for a long moment. "So... I can still be her best friend?"
I kissed the top of his head.
"I think that's something the two of you get to decide."
He nodded solemnly. Then looked toward the other kids.
"They're playing dinosaurs."
I laughed.
"You better get over there before they make the T-Rex extinct."
His eyes went wide.
"They can't do that!"
Before I could say another word, he took off running toward the group, yelling instructions before he'd even reached them. I watched him disappear into the sea of laughing children.
An arm slips around my shoulders and I look up to find Mason standing beside me.
"You saw that?" I asked.
He nods, trying to fight a smile.
"Our boy's already trying to scare off the competition."
I laughed. "He's six."
Mason wrapped an arm around my waist as we watched Johnny proudly introduce Tara to the rest of the children.
"He gets that from you," I teased.
Mason snorted. "I was never that smooth."
"No?"
He looked toward Johnny.
"I would've just punched the other little boys."
I laughed so hard I had to lean against him.
"Good thing Johnny's taking a different approach."
"For now," Mason muttered with a grin.
I rested my head briefly against his shoulder as the sounds of our family surrounded us.
Children laughing. Brothers teasing each other. The smell of burgers on the grill. The twins squealing every time someone stopped to make funny faces at them. This wasn't just a birthday party. This was home.