Page 51 of Stolen Kisses

I tuck a lock of knotty hair behind her ear. “We all like fluffy pancakes the best.” I grab an oven tray, baking paper, and bacon before turning on the oven. “Would you like to help me lay the bacon out on this tray?”

“Okay.”

I turn off the mixer and line the tray with the baking paper. We work together to lay the bacon on the tray, making sure none of the pieces overlap, and sit the tray next to the oven so it’s ready to go.

“We need to cut up some crunchy apple for Lachlan and juicy strawberries for our pancakes.” I grab a couple of apples and apunnetof strawberries out of the fridge. Kenny and I talk about her favorite fruits as I slice the apples and rinse and cut the strawberries.

“I love bananas. They’re myfavowite.” I’ve got bananas, so I grab one to slice as a topping for our pancakes when we’re ready to eat. “Okay, let’s start making the pancakes, then we can get that bacon into the oven.”

“Uncle Theo cooks our bacon in afwypan on the stove.” She tells me as she rests her chin on her closed fists, watching me pour batter in the pan.

“A lot of people cook their bacon like that. I like to do it this way because I add a special surprise to the bacon. You wait, you’regonnalove it!” It’s so cute that she’s comparing the way I cook to the way her uncle cooks.

Her eyebrows draw down low over her eyes. “How come you and my uncle are always kissing?”

Oh boy. Here we go.

“Well, when you’re aloooooootolder, you may start to date a boy … or a man that you really like. Uhm … and sometimes when you really like that person, you … uh … kiss them to show themthat … uh … you like them.” I’m not sure why I said date. I don’t know if Theo and I are actually dating. I still don’t know what this is between us.

She nods thoughtfully, obviously processing my words. “So, like when I’m five soon, I could kiss Austin and Lachlan. I like them a lot.” Her eyes widen and her eyebrows rise with her last sentence.

It takes me a moment to register her words as I pour more pancake batter into the pan. “Uh, no. Remember, I said alotolder. Like when you’re thirty or something like that. And you definitely can’t kiss brothers. That’s not okay.” I frown, wondering how this conversation turned to kissing brothers as I put the bacon in the oven.

Theboysstep through the back door. Austin is in Theo’s arms, rubbing sleep from his eyes. “Morning, Mommy.”

Theo brings him close to me, so I reach forward to kiss him. “Morning, Buddy. Sleep well?”

“I guess so.”

“How about you boys go wash up. Then you can set the table.” The three of them head to the bathroom as Kenny and I continue making pancakes. Pulling the bacon out of the oven, I coat each piece with maple syrup, then put it back in for another couple of minutes.

Kenny whispers, “You put maplesywupon the bacon?” Her eyes widenwith mischief.

I nod and press my pointer finger to my lips with a grin. She licks her lips and nods with an excited smile. The boys set the table, I slice the banana, and we place all of the food in the center so everyone can help themselves.

Theo makes a plate for Kenny, Lachlan organizes his own plate, exactly how he likes it, while I serve a pancake with a side of bacon for Austin. We’re all quiet as we enjoy the first bites of food. I forgot the boys’ milk and probiotics, so I get up to organize it. Naturally, I pour a glass of milk for Kenny, but I’m not sure if Theo would be happy for me to add probiotics to her drink. I hold up the container, catching his eye.

“You happy for me to add probiotics to Kenny’s milk? My boys have it every day for gut health.”

He shrugs. “Sure. I’ll get some for Kenny at home if you think it’s worthwhile.”

I love that he didn’t question my use of probiotics. It caused several arguments with Preston. I wanted him to have some at his house for when the boys visited, but he flat-out refused; said it was a waste of money. Just another way big companies are ripping off unsuspecting people. I gave up after a while. I figured they’re with me most of the time, it didn’t matter if they missed a day. Now they don’t miss any days, because they don’t spend the night with their dad anymore. My heart cracks at the thought. He’s their trucking dad. Heshouldwant to spend as much time as possible with his sons regardless of our relationship. But he discarded me first and now he’s slowly distancing himself from them. There’ll come a time when they won’t be bothered with their father because he couldn’t be bothered with them. He’ll be sorry when that day comes.

I return to the table with the kids’ milk. “Here you go, guys. Drink up.”

“Thank you, Emma,” Kenny says before taking a huge drink.

“Thanks, Mommy,” Austin and Lachlan say at the same time.

Nodding, I resume eating, feeling agitated at the thought of Preston neglecting his sons. Theo nudges my foot underneath the table, lifting his chin in a silent question. I sigh, nodding that I’m okay. I can’t talk about it in front of the boys anyway. I’m trying my best not to make a big deal about the change in their routine, even though my heart’s quietly breaking on their behalf.

“So, what are our plans for the rest of today?” Theo asks, a bright tone to his voice.

Looking out of the window to mybackyard, I note how long the grass has become. “I’ll have to cut the grass today. I’ll try to do it this morning before it gets too hot. Maybe we could head to the beach later? What do you think, boys?”

“I love the beach. Can we go too, Uncle Theo?” Kenny asks, eyes full of hope.

Theo looks at me. “Would you mind if we tagged along?”

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