Chapter 42
Chapter Forty-Two
Summer
I woke up to the sound of excited shuffling and hushed whispers outside my bedroom door. For a moment, I was disoriented, my brain still caught between sleep and reality, but then I heard Jake’s voice, barely containing his excitement.
"Do you think she’s awake yet?"
"She’ll wake up soon," Malcolm’s voice responded, low and lazy, like he had all the time in the world. "Patience, kid."
Jake huffed. "But it’s Disneyland day!"
I smiled into my pillow before finally pushing myself up.
I wasn’t surprised that Malcolm was up early, but the fact that he and Jake were already whispering conspiratorially outside my door was something new.
They were getting along more effortlessly than I could have imagined, and that realization sent a warmth through me I wasn’t prepared for.
I got ready quickly, throwing on comfortable clothes before stepping into the hallway. Jake turned the second he saw me, practically vibrating with excitement.
"Finally!" he exclaimed. "You sleep forever!"
I laughed, ruffling his hair. "It’s called being an adult, buddy. You’ll understand someday."
Malcolm smirked from where he leaned against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. "Doubt it. This kid has more energy than a fully charged battery."
Jake beamed, clearly taking it as a compliment.
An hour later, we arrived at Disneyland, and Jake’s reaction was everything.
His mouth dropped open as he took in the towering castle, the costumed characters, the flashing lights and cheerful music. His little hands clenched into excited fists, his eyes bouncing from one attraction to the next.
"This is the greatest place ever," he declared.
I smiled, watching as his whole body practically hummed with excitement.
"You haven’t even done anything yet," Malcolm pointed out, amused.
Jake turned to him, eyes wide. "Then let’s go! Come on!" He grabbed Malcolm’s hand and dragged him forward before Malcolm even had a chance to react.
I bit back a laugh as Malcolm shot me a look over his shoulder, one that clearly said, How did I get roped into this?
It only got better from there.
Jake insisted on riding everything. Everything. He was fearless, his excitement contagious as he ran from ride to ride. Malcolm, on the other hand, was not as enthusiastic.
The roller coasters, in particular, were a disaster.
"This is a bad idea," Malcolm muttered as we were strapped into our seats.
"You run billion-dollar corporations, but this is where you draw the line?" I teased, barely holding back a laugh.
Malcolm shot me a glare, but before he could retort, the ride shot forward.
The first drop was huge.
Malcolm’s muttered curse was lost in the wind.
Jake, meanwhile, was having the time of his life.
By the time we got off, Malcolm’s hair was a mess, and his normally cool expression was slightly disoriented.
Jake giggled. "You screamed!"
"I did not," Malcolm said flatly.
"I heard it," I added, grinning.
Jake nodded enthusiastically. "It was loud."
Malcolm ran a hand through his hair, grumbling. "I hate both of you."
Jake’s laughter was pure joy.
We walked through the park, enjoying the attractions, taking silly pictures, eating too much junk food. At one point, we passed a shop selling Mickey ears, and Jake immediately grabbed a pair.
"You have to wear these," he told Malcolm.
Malcolm looked down at him, unimpressed. "Absolutely not."
Jake’s eyes widened, his lower lip jutting out just slightly.
I watched, holding back a laugh. Malcolm might have been a billionaire, but against Jake’s puppy dog eyes? He didn’t stand a chance.
A minute later, Malcolm was wearing a ridiculous pair of Mickey ears, looking like he had completely lost control of his life.
Jake grinned up at him. "Perfect."
I couldn’t help but laugh. "You look adorable."
Malcolm shot me a flat look. "I hope you’re enjoying yourself."
I was. Way too much.
Later, while waiting for the parade to start, Jake grabbed both of our hands, squeezing them tight. His face turned a little serious, his voice quieter than usual.
"I can’t wait until the adoption is done," he said shyly.
My heart clenched. I knelt in front of him, brushing his hair back gently.
"Jake," I said softly. "We’re already your parents. No paperwork is going to change that."
His eyes widened slightly before filling with emotion. He blinked quickly, then threw himself into my arms for the second time in two days.
From over his shoulder, I met Malcolm’s gaze.
He was watching us with an unreadable expression, his hand still resting on Jake’s small back.
Something shifted in that moment.
That night, we went to a restaurant inside the park, one that Malcolm had apparently reserved ahead of time.
Jake was still buzzing with excitement as we walked in, his hand tight in mine. A waiter approached us, smiling politely.
"Reservation under?"
Malcolm didn’t miss a beat.
"Under Sinclair," he said smoothly. "For my son and my wife."
I choked on my drink.
Jake froze, his eyes going wide.
Malcolm? He just smirked, looking directly at me like he knew exactly what he was doing.
The waiter nodded and led us to our table, but I was still malfunctioning.
My brain short-circuited. My face burned. My entire body betrayed me.
Jake, meanwhile, looked teary-eyed, like he had just heard the most beautiful words in the world.
I turned to Malcolm, my voice slightly strangled. "You’re insufferable."
He winked. "You love it."
I groaned, but I couldn’t deny the truth.
As we ate, I kept sneaking glances at Malcolm, at Jake, at this moment that felt so unbelievably perfect.
And that terrified me.
Because if Malcolm already fit into our life this easily, what would happen when I let myself believe it was real?