Page 48 of A Very Miller-Cooper Life

The only way we were able to get them off the rink was by offering to stop for ice cream on our way home. We stopped at our favorite ice cream shop and sat together inside while we ate. With the kids doing sports and starting to hang out with friends without us, it felt like moments when just the five of us were together were fleeting.

“What was everyone’s favorite part of today?” I asked before taking a big lick of ice cream.

Olivia rolled her eyes at me. “Obviously skating.”

Ronan smacked her arm. “Not obviously. That wasn’t my favorite part. My favorite part was getting the new record on the basketball game in the arcade.”

“You got it?” I stuck my hand in the air for a high five. “Good job, dude!”

Charlie gently poked Carter’s side as she smiled at her lovingly. “What was your favorite part, sweetie?”

“Getting a new book from Evelyn.”

“A book?” Ronan laughed. “That’s not fun.”

I gave Ronan my best mom look to tell him I wasn’t happy about him making fun of his sister. “We all enjoy different things, and that’s great. Personally, I love reading. She definitely gets that from me.”

Carter’s face lit up as if I had just told her she had something in common with her favorite celebrity. “Exactly. I’m just like Mommy.”

“You sure are, kiddo.” I put my arm around her and pulled her tight up against me, then looked back across the table at Ronan. “Now, I think your brother has something he wants to say to you.”

Ronan sighed, but then turned his attention to his sister. “I’m sorry I laughed at you. It’s cool that you like to read. Maybe someday you’ll write a book and Mommy can draw the pictures for it.”

“I would love that,” Carter said, her smile even bigger now. “Mommy, can we do that sometime?”

“There’s nothing I want more.” It was true. Even though they made me want to pull my hair out at times, I would take any special time I could with my kids.

Once we finally got home, we were all tired so we took it easy the rest of the night. Carter read her new book, Ronan played video games, and Olivia talked on the phone with the friend she had just seen a few hours ago. Charlie and I snuggledon the couch and watched mindless television until it was time to help them get ready for bed.

Once the bedtime routine was over and the house was quiet again, I went into the kitchen and opened a bottle of wine. I poured two glasses and carried them into the family room for me and Charlie.

Charlie’s fingers tickled mine as she took the glass from my hand. “It’s like you read my mind.”

I sat down next to her and slowly took that first sip of wine, enjoying the feeling as the warmth traveled down my throat. Today was perfect. Crazy, but perfect. Just like the rest of our life. “Can you believe we have three eight-year-olds?” I asked Charlie.

Charlie laughed. “I still haven’t fully grasped the fact that we have three that are the same age.”

“I know, right? It’s so crazy. Three kids to get ready for middle school dances. Three kids to teach to drive. Three kids to buy prom outfits for. Three kids to send to college. Three weddings.”

Charlie laughed and put her hand on my chest. “I think you might be getting a little ahead of yourself. They’re eight, not eighteen.”

I sighed. I couldn’t shake the feeling that life was racing by. “I know, but think of how fast these past eight years went. Before we know it another eight will pass and then another eight. And then they’ll be gone.”

“Gone where?” Charlie asked with another laugh. “We don’t lose them just because they go to college or move out of town or get married. They’ll always be in our lives in one way or another. And again, let me remind you one more time, they are eight.”

“You’re right. Sorry. I’m just being extra sentimental right now. Maybe I’m getting my period.”

“Probably. It’s normally me who acts like this.”

“Just promise me one thing?” I set down my glass of wine and lay my head on Charlie’s shoulder.

Charlie rested her head against mine. “Anything.”

“Let’s not take any moment for granted. Let’s enjoy all the time we have with them and with each other. Forever.”

“We will. I promise.”

Chapter 12

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