Page 165 of A Temporary Forever

“Let me say bye to the girls.” Mia hops away to join a group of friends.

“We can take Mia for burgers, if you don’t mind. She can stay over tonight. I know it’s not our normal night…” Caleb says, and glances at me.

“Of course.” I nod.

Reese bites her lips, her gaze moving to Mia. “I guess that would be okay, if Mia agrees.”

“Thank you,” Caleb says.

Reese blinks. “I’m sorry, it’s just sometimes I feel I have nothing to offer her, and you’ll woo her away from me. I know that’s not what you’re trying to do, and I’m being petty—”

“Stop it right now,” Caleb warns. “You focus on your recovery, so you can be fully there for her. You’ll always be the most important person in Mia’s life. Your current circumstances might be shitty, but that doesn’tdiminish the great job you’ve been doing with our daughter.”

Reese sighs, and gives him a shy smile. “It’s a relief she has both of you while I get back on my feet. But sometimes it’s hard to believe I’m not in it alone anymore.”

“That’s a good problem to have.” Caleb smiles at her.

Watching their interaction seals my love for this man even further. But it also uncovers an empty spot I never realized I had. I look over at Mia, and wonder how it would feel to carry and raise children of my own.

I’ve never thought about that. We’ve never discussed it, since our union started as a formality, but suddenly the eventuality feels more like a necessary discussion.

Or rather, when we were still in an arrangement, he made it clear he never wanted any children. With anyone. And now I need to know if his perspective’s changed.

“Do you want to stay with your dad and go for those burgers?” Reese asks when Mia returns to us.

Her eyes widen, excitement morphing her features. “Are you sure?” she asks, and then turns to Caleb. “Can I?”

“Always.” Caleb ruffles her hair, andshe scoffs.

Yeah, sometimes he needs to be reminded she isn’t a little girl anymore. Even though in so many senses she is. Even though he missed out on time when she still was one.

“I’m glad I got to see you dance today.” Reese hugs her daughter.

“See you tomorrow, Mom. I love you.”

We pile into the car, the drive filled with Mia’s excited chatter about her friends and their plans for the next performance. It’s a simple, ordinary outing, but it feels extraordinary in its own way.

“Celeste?” She bites her lip, and looks at me with hesitation when we take seats at a quaint little diner near our building that Mia fell in love with.

“What is it?”

“The girls and I were wondering if you could maybe help us with more choreography?”

Before I get a chance to answer or even consider the honor, Caleb sits up straight and winks at me. “Mia, not only can she help you out, but soon she’s going to reopen her school, and you guys can rehearse there.”

“For real?” Mia’s eyes widen. “That would be epic. Let me text them.” She pulls out her phone and types at a mile a minute.

“I thought the building and the school were mine. Are you now booking the space on my behalf?” I grin,teasing Caleb while Mia is completely lost chatting with her friends.

“I’m only making sure you don’t forget where your talent lies.”

“Is that so?”

We grin at each other. I keep waiting for this ever-present joy to disappear, but so far it only keeps growing.

Mia drops her phone and dives into a menu. “Can I get a burger and ice cream?”

Caleb laughs. “You can have whatever you want. Tonight is your night.”

---