Page 15 of Reunited with the Soldier

"Okay thanks, Mom," Elijah says and turns back to the toys, his attention on me gone.

"Thank you, Lo." He looks at Elijah and then back at me. "You did such a great job with our son." He smiles and then he turns his attention back to Elijah.

I watch them for a couple of minutes and know that I am forgotten. I go back downstairs with Bailey and make a cup of coffee. I need caffeine before I think about lunch.

"How do you feel?" she asks.

"I'm happy for Elijah. I feel a little jealous that he's just walked into his life and Elijah dismisses me quickly." Bailey laughs. "It's not funny. I'm not used to sharing him with anyone else but you." I pout.

Bailey laughs. "I know. But did you see how happy he was? I love that look on his face. He's happy his daddy is home. No questions asked, just wanted to meet him."

I ponder what she says.

"How do you feel about him being in the house?" she asks.

"I don't know, but I do know that he is going to be in Elijah's life forever. He won't shirk his responsibilities or anything. I know him and I know that he loves hard. Elijah is going to be a well loved little boy. His family is amazing and I can't wait for him to meet any cousins or to have grandparents. His life is changing as we speak."

"That's not what I meant. I can't wait for all of that too, but I want to know how you feel about having Kash here."

"I don't know, Bailey. I love him. I always have. Can I go back to him? I don't know. What if we split up and Elijah is hurt, I have to think about him over what I feel myself."

"No, you don't. Yes you have to make sure he's happy, but you need to consider what you want. From the look on Kash's face, I think he wants you back. You just need to decide whether that's what you want or not." She smiles and touches my arm. "I'm going, I've got some things to do. I'll call you later."

She pulls me into a hug. "I love you, Lauren. Don't ever forget that."

She leaves and I have a few tears, she's right I do have some things to think about.

After my coffee, I make lunch and call the boys down.

I hear them before I see them. Kash has Elijah on his shoulders and they are running down the stairs. I have visions of Kash falling and Elijah hitting his head. But when I look at Kash, I see he has his hand firmly on Elijah and he is in control of what he is doing.

They both sit at the table, next to each other. "I'm starving Mom." Elijah reaches out for me to fill his plate.

I've made his favorite, lasagna. I know Kash used to like it too, so I was hoping it would break the ice a little. I didn't need to worry about that. Kash looks like he has been a dad forever.

I fill Elijah's plate and they tell me all about the games they were playing, the toy that Kash brought over and the two of them don't stop talking.

Kash ends up spending the whole day with us. We went for a walk with Elijah to the playground so he could show Kash where he plays. When we get back, Kash follows me in.

"Elijah, it's bath time and then bed." I look at him. He usually tries to stay up later, but tonight he surprises me.

"Great, can Dad help me?" I look at Kash who has tears in his eyes that he wants him to help and that he called him Dad like it was normal.

"Of course I can help you buddy, if your mom says it's okay."

I nod my head. "Of course it's okay." We go upstairs and run the bath.

I'm sitting downstairs with a glass of wine in my hand when Kash comes down. "He's asleep."

"Great, thanks."

He sits next to me on the couch and pours himself a glass of wine that I left on the table for him.

"I had a great day, thank you so much. You have done a remarkable job, he is the nicest kid I've ever met."

"Is that because he's yours and you're biased?"

"It might be," he laughs and I join him.

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