Page 141 of Guarded

“No,” she says, her brows furrowing, and I laugh.

“One day, the two of you will be best friends,” I explain.

“Is she gonna cry all night?” Benny asks, unamused.

He only tolerated me while putting he put his mother on a pedestal. I’ve told him a million times we’re not competing for her affection, but he still insists on doing so. Another reason I needed to get a vasectomy.

“She might. Come on, let’s get you something to eat.”

I take the kids to get something to eat, and when we return to the room, Thalia and Lucia have left. My wife looks exhausted with Ximena curled up into her chest.

“Mama!” Myka cries out, rushing to the bed.

“Ven mi amor,” Ari says, kissing and pulling her onto the bed. Benny beats me to the other side of the bed and glares at me before kissing his mother on the cheek.

“Did you eat mijo?” Ari says to our eight-year-old son.

“Dad made us eat some nasty shit.”

Ariella’s eyes bounce from Benny to mine, widening. She swears he’s picking up foul language from being around the Motorcycle club, but I can attest the kid has taught me a few new words.

Ari turns the TV on to a movie for the kids. I move them to the couch when they fall asleep. Ariella stirs awake when she feels their absence.

“Do you want to hold her?” Ari says. I look at our little girl nestled into her, so small and fragile. “Take your shirt off.”

“Right here, Maniká? The kids are in the room.” I say, arching my brow.

“Seriously, Nero? That won’t be happening for a while.” She says, and I sigh. Reason three why I’ll be getting that vasectomy.

“Not for me, for the baby. She needs skin-to-skin contact. It’s important for building a bond.” Ari explains.

“Okay, whatever you want to say to see me half naked,” I say before removing my shirt and squeezing onto the bed next to Ari.

She places Ximena on my chest, and I look down at her little features. We created this tiny human. It was breathtaking to think about. I went from never knowing love to being fully submerged in it.

I look at my wife and our kids lying on the couch. This was mine. My own family. The very people who I make a silent vow to protect forever. My reason for living.

“I love you,” I say to Ari, whose eyes flutter with sleep.

Ximena’s little hand rests on my chest, over the scarring where her mother had once kissed, healing parts of me I didn’t think could ever be healed.

My heart swells with appreciation for my wife. For this moment and every moment to come. For the inexplicable sense of belonging, she’s brought into my life.

THE END

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