Page 14 of Unexpected Kisses

“Unca AJ. Look at me!” Colton calls out from his swing set as he climbs up the slide. I glance across at Lisa who’s shaking her head at her son.

“Hold on with two hands!” I call back to him. While he’s busy, I lower my voice. “How about I look at getting him a climbing wall for the backyard? I’ve seen them online. They don’t look that hard to do. I could get a carpenter to build the frame and I can attach the holds.”

“That’d be fantastic and maybe it would stop him from climbing everything in sight inside.” Lisa sighs as Hayley places the tray of chicken onto the table.

“I’ll get onto it.”

Lisa and Hayley give me grateful smiles. “That’d be great. Thanks, AJ.”

“No problem.”

Lisa and Hayley lay out the food, placing small portions on Colton’s plate while I retrieve him from the slide and take him inside to wash his hands, then he eagerly leads me back to the table. “Unca AJ, sit next to me.”

He climbs into his booster chair, and I take the seat next to him. We all dig into the scrumptious barbecue. “This is delicious. Thanks for the invite.”

“You’re welcome. We meant to invite you last weekend but Lisa was too sick.” Hayley smiles at her wife and tucks Lisa’s hair behind her ear with affection. A pang strikes the muscle in my chest. I want what they have but I can’t seem to find someone who wants the same thing. Even Sarah, whom I know I have a connection with, doesn’t want a committed relationship. “What have you been up to?”

Even though the girls already know about the huge contract Dylan and I landed withbooknow.com, I tell them a bit more detail about it. “This could really put us on the map. It’s a huge coup.”

“Congratulations. I’m so proud of what you guys have built. You deserve all the success,” Lisa says, mirroring Hayley’s words when I initially told her about it.

“Thanks.” I’m not sure why as a grown-ass man I need my family’s approval, but it seems I still do as pride fills me with her praise. Maybe it’s because everyone in my family runs a successful business, and as the baby of the family, I want to be considered successful in their eyes too.

“We had some good news this week too.” Hayley glances at Lisa and matching smiles break across their faces. “My application to adopt Colton was approved. I’m officially his mama.”

“Congratulations. I know how important it was to you.” I stand from my seat to hug my sister and sister-in-law.

“Thanks. It was such a relief to have the official paperwork.”

“I bet.” I’m thrilled for them. Who knew that the non-biological parent would have to formally adopt her own child? It’s ridiculous. We finish eating and I stand to collect the plates. “Why don’t you two put your feet up and Colton and I will clean up.” I give Colton a wink. “Are you ready to help me?”

He throws his little fist into the air. “Yeah, Unca AJ. Let’s do this!” Colton climbs down from his chair and heads straight toward Lisa and Hayley. Taking each of their hands, he tugs. “Come on, Mommy. Come on, Mama.” They both chuckle as they stand, following Colton’s lead to the living room. I set about clearing the table, carrying everything inside to start the dishes as he ensures his moms are comfortable with enough cushions to sink a small boat. He lifts each of their feet onto the ottoman, then hands them the TV remote. He walks toward me with a look of accomplishment as his moms sink into the couch with matching grins as they watch him walk toward me.

After carefully packing away the leftovers, I wash all of the plastic cutlery and plates for him to dry. He stands proudly on the small step the girls have at the sink for him and he carefully dries each item, laying them on the counter. I notice the items aren’t completely dry, so I’ll have to wipe them over later so I can put them away. He’s used to helping his moms, so we make quick work of the dishes.

I want to talk with Hayley and Lisa about my discussion with Sarah yesterday, but I need to have all of their attention when we discuss it, so I bathe Colton and offer to read him a bedtime story.

“This one, Unca AJ!” He waves a bright green book over his head as he runs back to his brand new big-boy bed. He had been sleeping in his crib, minus one side but the girls decided to get him a bed so the crib was free for their next baby. He climbs into bed, handing me the book and I tuck him under the sheet. It’s too warm for anything more than that; this summer has been unseasonably hot. I get comfortable beside him and scan the cover.

“By Crikey? What does that mean?” I look at my nephew.

“It’s a book from Aus-tray-li-uh. It’s something they say. It’s really funny. Read it!” His little chocolate-colored eyes—exactly like mine and Hayley’s—are sparkling with delight. “It’s my fav-rite.”

I chuckle. “Okay, okay.” I read all about the sheep called Doug who lives on an Australian farm. He doesn’t want to be shorn and his antics to avoid the experience at all costs are detailed with humorous illustrations. I take note of the author, Jodie Reeder, so I can check if she has any more books. I might have to get Colton the next book for his birthday.

“Can you please read it again? I promise to go to sleep if you read it again.” How can I deny him when he gives me his puppy dog eyes? So I read it again, chuckling each time Doug the sheep manages to escape the shearer’s clutches. When I close the book to place it on his nightstand and glance at my nephew’s angelic face, his eyes are heavy with sleep. “Thank you, Unca AJ.”

“You’re welcome. Sweet dreams, little man.” I dip down to kiss his forehead, brushing my fingers through his silky hair. I’m not sure if the strong bond I share with him is because I’m his biological father or if it’s because we usually spend a lot of time together. I carefully climb from his bed and make my way to the living room where I find Lisa lying across the cushions with her head in Hayley’s lap. Hayley’s eyes are locked on the television as she strokes Lisa’s hair, a look of contentment on her face.

They both notice me and Lisa pushes to sit up but I stop her. “Stay where you are. You look comfortable. I won’t stay for long, but there was something I needed to speak with you both about.”

Hayley responds, creases forming between her brows. “Sure. Sounds serious.”

Now, where do I start? Suddenly, I’m nervous. What if they say no? I don’t want to tell Sarah I can’t help her. It wouldn’t be fair but I need to consider my family first. I rub the back of my neck and start. I explain how I met Sarah and what she’s hoping to achieve.

“Good for her.” Hayley’s quick to show her support. “Did she want to use the same fertility clinic we did? I have their details on my phone.”

“Uh, no. She’s already had two procedures without success with a clinic. She’s going to do it independently or else she’ll have to wait for another twelve months while she saves enough money.” Both women nod. They understand the expense of trying to get pregnant. They were lucky that some of the costs were reduced because they had me as their donor.

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