Page 39 of Love in Focus

I freeze as everyone suddenly turns to me. The last time I played with kids was in college, when I volunteered at a local elementary school. Luckily, I got assigned the older grades, so none of the kids I supervised were as young as Kaylee and Carly. But I still take the tablet from Celeste and make a “come here” gesture in an attempt to emulate my ex.

“Video games!” Kaylee yells, no longer shy.

The girls jump up and down with joy.

Luckily, both Kaylee and Carly become quickly obsessed withCrossy Road, and they don’t even look up from the screen when Celeste says, “Okay, we’re all set and ready to go.”

I leave the kids on the couch and settle into my usual chair by Celeste’s cameras. I ask the Amatos my usual list of questions, starting off with how they met.

“We met in college,” Maria says.

“We were in the same co-ed dorm freshman year and couldn’t keep our hands off each other,” Joey adds.

Maria blushes and I give them a polite smile. “That’s amazing. And how long have you two been together?”

“Over a decade now,” Maria replies.

“Time goes by so fast, doesn’t it?” Joey shares a smile with his wife. “Who knew back then that we’d be actual adults now, all settled into our new house with our two kids? There were lots of times we thought we couldn’t do it, what with the economy and all. But thankfully we pulled through, in the end.”

“Yup. It all worked out. And all because we have each other,” Maria adds. “Which sounds cheesy, I know. But it’s true. Joey has been my rock through it all.”

“And she’s beenmyrock,” Joey says with a grin. “It’s funny, though, because we went from being complete kids who just had huge crushes on each other to… this.” He waves his hand at the two of them, and then at the girls on the couch. “If you asked me what love was back then, I’d have a completely different perception of what it is, compared to the one I have now.”

Maria laughs. “Right? In college, I thought love was about flowers and chocolates. Or cute dates or trips around the world. But what it actually is most days is, ‘Hey, I can play with the kids so you can go nap.’”

We all laugh.

“We do still like to spoil each other with fancy things once in a while,” Joey says. “But most days, a nap is the best present in the world.”

“What were some of the biggest challenges in your relationship?” I ask, moving on to the next question.

“All the surprises,” answers Joey. “And the random road bumps we hit along the way.”

“The surprises!” Maria exclaims. “Yes, oh my gosh, Joe, remember when we first found out I was pregnant with Carly? We thought our worlds were ending.”

Joey laughs. “Oh, wow, yeah, I think I blocked it out or something, because I’m only remembering it now.”

“I was applying for law school when I got pregnant with our first,” Maria explains. “And Joey had just started his job. We were already married by then, thankfully, but we thought we’d have more time by ourselves.”

Joey glances over at where the girls are playing on the couch.

“Protection doesn’t always work,” he whispers to one of Celeste’s video cameras.

Celeste, who’d been about to snap a picture, stops to raise her eyebrows at him.

“Sorry,” Joey adds before continuing in a normal volume, “we became parents earlier than we thought we would, but if I could go back in time, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

“Definitely not,” agrees Maria. “Although, sometimes I do wonder what my life would be like if Ihadgone to law school and become a big-shot lawyer like I wanted to.”

I frown. “Do you regret not going to law school?”

She laughs. “Oh, no. In my twenties, the idea of being a lawyer in a fast-paced work environment seemed like the dream, but in retrospect, I’m glad I didn’t go down thatpath. I work part-time in another field now, and sure it’s less pay, but it’s great since I get so much more flexibilityandtime to spend with the girls. Or with Joey or by myself,” she adds with a laugh. “I’m so content with my life now.”

“And we’re lucky to have her,” Joey says. “We all are.”

They share a sweet forehead kiss, which Celeste rapidly snaps a photo of. The moment is picture-perfect, and I have no doubt it will look even more precious on camera.

Before I can stop it, an ugly pang of jealousy hits my stomach. A long-term relationship that actually became a marriage. A home and a family to call my own. Sure, it’s all a bit traditional. But Iwantedthat life. It was my dream, one that I wanted so much that I was willing to change who I was. And that, I now realize, was the problem. I’m angry at James for changing his mind, but I’m also angry at myself for being so stupid. For thinking everything would be fine if I just went with the flow.

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