Page 83 of Mended Hearts

“Just call me Eric,” my dad clarifies.

“Well, Eric. It’s been really good catching up with you,” Dustin says. “But as you know, I have some business to tend to.” He winks.

My dad pats Dustin’s shoulder as he heads for the gate. I watch as he retreats, and Dylan continues juggling the balls. Luckily, the porch light gives him enough illumination to catch the balls with his hands and not his face. I glance upward, watching as the stars begin to blink down on us.

“Hey, babe,” Dustin says, and I swirl around in his direction. “Catch.” He tosses a yellow softball. I look down, read the black letters written on it, and gasp.

D+E 4-EVER

BE MY WIFE

Chapter Fifty-Seven

DUSTIN

July 2016

Iopen my eyes, catching the last glow of the Orion’s Belt on the ceiling above as the sun begins to spill in, filling our room. I roll to my side and snuggle up against Echo’s back, nuzzling my face into the crook of her neck as she lightly snores. My hand roams back and forth against her stomach, beckoning our sweet baby girl to move for Daddy. Echo’s hand finds mine and leads it farther down. She stops and applies slight pressure. The movement beneath our hands causes my emotions to stir. I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to the overwhelming feeling of happiness I’ve felt since this woman came back into my life.

“Thank you for sharing,” I whisper, placing a kiss below her ear.

“I wish I could share more so I could get some sleep,” she mumbles.

I smile and rub her extended belly one more time. Being a father to Dylan has completely changed my life in the best way possible. But getting to experience this from the beginning has turned me into a complete sap. I believe the overall journey isto blame. It’s made me appreciate life more. It’s made me love more. It’s made me a better man so I can be a better husband, father, brother, and son. It’s made me an all-around better human.

I kiss the love of my life, the mother of my children, my reason for breathing…my wife one last time before rolling out of bed. It’s time to get a start on those early morning practices I promised Dylan we could do before freshman year begins.

Freshman year.I have a high schooler.

I yank my shirt over my head as I round the hallway. My boy stands propped against the wall, tossing a ball. I swear he’s grown a foot since last summer and will be taller than me in no time.

“Mornin’, Coach.” He smirks and I feel like I’m looking in a mirror at my younger, carefree self.

“Hey, it’s still Dad at home.” I wrap my arm around him, pulling him in for a hug. “Leave Coach for the field.”

“Deal.”

“Did you eat breakfast?” I ask, making my way to the kitchen.

“Yep, had my Wheaties,” he replies as he plops down on the couch.

“Well, I’m going to make myself some coffee and something to eat before we head out.”

“Maybe I should call you old man,” Dylan teases.

“Hey, I heard that. So I must not be that old.”

“You’re my old man,” Echo says, wrapping her arms around me from behind.

I twist my body in her grip so I’m facing her and drape my arms over her shoulders. Her hair sits on top of her head and although she looks so tired, she glows in the most magnificent way.

“I’m whatever you want me to be.” I bend down and kiss her forehead. Her stomach growls and we both laugh. “Got it. Chef it is.”

“Anything but eggs,” she says with a shiver. “The smell does something to me.” Echo pulls a stool out and sits at the kitchen island. “What’s this?”

I glance over and she’s holding up an envelope. “Probably junk mail.” I shrug.

“Well, it looks important.”

---