Page 104 of Rage

I laugh, setting our daughter down gently.“And what does that make me?”

Kensleigh’s brow furrows in concentration.“You can be… the fairy godmother!”she decides, waving her wand with a flourish.

As I’m about to respond, the patter of small feet in the hallway catches my attention.A moment later, a tousled head of sandy blond hair peeks around the doorframe, hazel eyes wide with curiosity.

“Kai,” I call softly, holding out my hand.“Come join us, sweetheart.”

Our son hesitates for just a moment before padding into the room.At five years old, Kai is still adjusting to life in our family.We adopted him six months ago, after fostering him for over a year.His early life was marked by trauma and neglect, leaving him wary of affection and slow to trust.

But as Kai’s eyes take in the scene before him—his sister twirling in her princess dress, his father looking ridiculous yet utterly content in a tiara—I see a spark of something in his gaze.Wonder, perhaps.Or the beginnings of belief that this fairy tale might just be real.

“Hey, little man,” Mason says, his voice gentle.“Want to join our tea party?”

Kai shuffles closer, eyeing the colorful spread on the floor.“Can I?”he asks softly, his voice barely above a whisper.

“Of course!”Kensleigh exclaims, rushing over to grab her brother’s hand.“You can be the brave knight who protects the kingdom!”

She tugs Kai toward the dress-up trunk in the corner, rifling through until she finds a plastic breastplate and foam sword.With great ceremony, she helps Kai don his “armor,” her little hands careful and gentle as she adjusts the straps.

My heart swells as I watch them together.Kensleigh has taken to her role as big sister with enthusiasm, showering Kai with the affection and attention he so desperately needs.And Kai, though still reserved, has begun to blossom under her care.

“Sir Kai,” Kensleigh declares, tapping the sword on each of his shoulders.“I dub thee protector of the realm and guardian of teatime!”

A small smile tugs at the corners of Kai’s mouth, a rare and precious sight.He straightens his shoulders, lifting the foam sword with as much dignity as a five-year-old can muster.

“I’ll keep you safe, Princess Kensleigh,” he says solemnly, his voice gaining strength.“No dragons or monsters will interrupt our tea party.”

Mason catches my eye over the children’s heads, his gaze filled with love and pride.We’ve come so far from where we started; the rough biker and the doctor, thrown together by fate and circumstance.Now we’re here, building a family and a life together.

As I settle onto the plush carpet, accepting the tiny teacup Kensleigh offers me, I can’t help but marvel at how perfectly imperfect our little family is.Mason, still intimidating even with a sparkly tiara perched on his head.Kensleigh, our vibrant little princess, full of light and laughter.Kai, slowly emerging from his shell, learning to trust and love again.And me, the fairy godmother presiding over it all.

“More tea, Mommy?”Kensleigh asks, brandishing the plastic teapot with great enthusiasm.

I hold out my cup, smiling indulgently.“Yes, please, Your Highness.”

As Kensleigh carefully “pours” the imaginary tea, Kai shifts closer to Mason.His small hand reaches out tentatively, coming to rest on Mason’s massive forearm.Mason doesn’t move, letting Kai set the pace of their interaction.

“Daddy?”Kai says softly, the word still new and precious on his tongue.“Can you teach me to be brave like you?”

Mason’s eyes soften, a tenderness there that only a few outside our family ever get to see.“You already are brave, little man,” he says gently.“Bravest kid I know.”

Kai’s brow furrows, considering this.“But I still get scared sometimes,” he admits in a whisper.

Mason nods solemnly.“Everyone gets scared, buddy.Even me.Being brave doesn’t mean you’re never afraid.It means you face your fears and do what’s right anyway.”

As Kai ponders this wisdom, Kensleigh pipes up.“I’m brave too!”she declares, brandishing her wand like a sword.“I protect the kingdom from monsters under the bed!”

“That you do, princess,” Mason agrees, his voice warm with pride.“You and Sir Kai make quite the team.”

The afternoon wears on, filled with laughter and imagination.We slay dragons (cleverly disguised as throw pillows), rescue stuffed animals from precarious perches, and consume copious amounts of pretend tea and cookies.

As the sun begins to set, casting long shadows across the room, I notice Kai’s eyelids starting to droop.Even Kensleigh’s boundless energy seems to be waning, her movements becoming slower and less exuberant.

“I think it might be time to wrap up our adventure,” I say gently, gathering empty teacups.“How about we have some real dinner and then maybe watch a movie together?”

Kensleigh yawns widely, nodding her agreement.Kai looks relieved at the suggestion, the day’s excitement clearly catching up with him.

Mason stretches, his joints popping as he unfolds his large frame from the tiny play furniture.“All right, troops,” he says, his voice taking on a playful drill sergeant tone.“Cleanup duty!Every soldier helps put away their gear.”

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