Page 46 of From Maybe to Baby

I don’t know what comes over me. Maybe it’s the heat, the relentless optimism of these kids, or the sheer audacity of Jonas to exist like this—stable, solid, and wildly inconvenient.

“For the article,” I hear myself say. “I might be free. For research.”

Jonas smiles. It’s small, but it’s there, and it’s the kind of smile that makes promises I’m not sure I want him to keep.

I pick up my notebook and my phone, ignoring the way my pulse stutters. This is still just a story. Not a vacation, at least not for me.

I’m working here.

And I need to stop forgetting that.

6

JONAS

"The volcanic rocksrepresent the island's ancient history," Alexa explains to my kids, who are somehow more fascinated by geology than they've ever been by anything I've taught them. "Each one tells a story from when the world was young."

"Even older than Dad?" Lukas asks with complete seriousness.

"Way older."

I catch her smirk.

"These rocks remember when the islands were born, and when the volcanoes first woke up and started dancing."

"These?" Jace clutches her collection of black rocks like they're precious gems instead of pieces of ancient lava.

"Yes these." Alexa kneels down, eye-level with my daughter. "They were real magic. Wild magic. The kind that built entire islands from the ocean floor."

I should be checking my phone. The PR team has texted six times about the upcoming season's publicity calendar. My agentwants to discuss contract negotiations. The team needs my pre-season photo shoot schedule.

Instead, I'm watching Alexa turn science into magic, thinking how much Genny would love this. She always said kids learn best through stories.

"Look at this one," Lukas holds up a particularly sparkly specimen. "It's got stars inside."

"That's volcanic glass," Alexa tells him. "It's what happens when lava meets the ocean. The stars are tiny bubbles."

My phone buzzes. It’s Vince Vincent, PR man extraordinaire:

Need to discuss media strategy. Also, your mother-in-law called about 'that travel writer'

Of course she did.

"Daddy, look." Jace presents her rock, carefully selected for maximum sparkle. "Miss Minty says this is older than dinosaurs. And even you."

"Way older," Alexa confirms, and I catch myself staring at how the sunset lights her hair.

Another buzz. Vince again:

Seriously, call me. Season starts soon and we need to talk about your image. The single dad angle was great but we need something fresh

My image. Right. Because apparently being a single dad isn't enough of a story anymore. The team wants more. The fans want more. Everyone wants more. They just love trotting me out as the face of the team... widower, single dad, keeping it all together.

If they only knew.

"Dad." Lukas interrupts my spiraling thoughts. "Can Miss Minty come to dinner? She knows ALL about rocks."

"And magic.”

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