Total pages in book: 57
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 54886 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 274(@200wpm)___ 220(@250wpm)___ 183(@300wpm)
“Your momma gets sad?”
He scuffed his boot in the snow. “She tries to hide it, but I see sometimes. She cries.”
My heart hurt for them both. “Sometimes grown-ups cry,” I agreed with him. “There’s a lot of responsibility when you’re big.”
“Do you?”
“On occasion.”
“I try to be good for her when she cries.”
I ruffled his hair. “It’s not you, bud. She loves you, and I think you’re a good boy all the time. She just needs to cry. Mommas are like that sometimes.”
“Will you make her cry?”
“I hope not.”
“Will you go away and not come back like my dad?”
“No. I plan on staying.” I drew in a deep breath. “Sometimes being a grown-up is a lot of work. I like your momma, and she likes me. We want to keep seeing each other. We’ll need some time alone—and other times with you. Lots of it, really. If that’s okay with you.”
“I’d like that.” He flung his arms around my neck. “I like you, Asher.”
I hugged him back tightly. “I like you. Now, let’s try out this new sled, okay?”
“Okay!”
We spent a couple of hours at the park, arriving back at the apartment cold and hungry. The scent of the turkey filled the small space, and the feeling of peace and belonging filled my soul as I stepped inside and saw Rosie’s wide smile greeting us.
Midafternoon, I fell asleep on the sofa with AJ snuggled beside me, and when I woke up, Rosie was nestled into my other side.
And I was complete.
Dinner contained more laughter. More bonding. Afterward, cleaning up, I wrapped my arms around Rosie’s waist, dropping my head to her shoulder.
“Did you have a good day?” she asked.
“The best. You?” I tightened my arms as I waited for her reply.
“Yes. You made all my dreams on my wish list come true.”
I held back my smile. If only she knew I was just starting. I planned to give her every dream and wish she could think of.
“Can I stay?” I asked quietly. The thought of going back to my cold, empty condo felt wrong. I wanted to be right here. What happened after the next few days, we would deal with. But for now, this was where I wanted to be. For as long as she would let me stay.
“Yes.”
I spun her in my arms and kissed her. “Thank you.”
Our eyes met and held. “This is only the beginning. You know that, right?”
She nodded. “I do.” She cupped my face. “Merry Christmas, Asher.”
I kissed her again. “Merry Christmas, Rosie.”
AJ bounded into the kitchen, wearing the new pj’s Rosie had bought him. The Batman logo blazed on his chest, the little hoodie complete with the bat ears. He loved them, having vowed to never take them off. I had laughed, and Rosie had shaken her head. “He’s serious.”
“I know,” I replied. “I gave Bonnie some Frozen pj’s she was dying for, and she wore them constantly. Suzy had to strip her at night, wash them, and put them right back on, or the tantrums started.”
Rosie chuckled, laying her head on my shoulder. “Sounds about right.”
AJ was full of excitement over his day. “Momma, Christmas movies are on all night! Can I watch them?”
“May I,” she corrected.
He grinned. “Yes, you may. So that means I can too!”
Laughing, he raced out of the kitchen. I had to join his amusement. “He’s clever.”
“Too clever for me some days.” She smiled, but it was a sad one. “He’s growing up so fast. Next fall, he’ll be in school full time. I don’t know where the time has gone.”
I slipped an arm around her. “It goes fast,” I agreed. “Where is his school?”
“Oh, the public elementary down the road. Bradshaw.”
“Is he excited?”
“He’s used to a schedule. He goes to day care and kindergarten. He is very advanced.”
“What do you do in the summers?”
“Any free camps I can enroll him in, I do. I pay for a couple. Things he finds fun. Some day care. I take my holidays in August, so we have time together. My boss has always been very accommodating. I work extra in the winter and over tax time. And I work four days in the summer, so, financially, that helps. I take extra calls when I can.” She paused. “But I have a new boss starting after the holidays, so I’m hoping she’ll be as understanding.” She lifted a shoulder in resignation. “I’ll figure it all out.”
I marveled at her. She wasn’t complaining or whining. Simply stating the facts. Everything she did was for Asher. To make sure he was safe and happy. I pressed a kiss to her head, knowing that she had no idea how incredible she was.
From the living room, Asher shouted. “Momma! Asher! Grinch is on!”
“We mustn’t keep him waiting,” I chuckled. “Grinch is on.”
I lay beside Rosie, her head on my chest, the room dark except the lights of the Christmas tree. We’d made love again, this time on the lumpy mattress. I needed to source a new one for her—it really was uncomfortable. I knew exactly where to get one. I would have to arrange it to be switched out while she wasn’t at home so she couldn’t say no.