Page 94 of Somewhere We Belong

“Did you know my momma has boyfriends?” Her big brown eyes glared at me like I was the problem or a part of it.

“Who said that?” I asked cautiously.

“I heard Luke tell Genevieve something about mom’s boyfriends,” she sniffled.

“Are you mad at your momma for dating?”

She looked at me as her lip trembled.

“Yes and no,” she sniffled. “If you were dating her, I wouldn’t mind or Colt or Atlas. Why can’t she date you guys? What if I wanted you to be my dads?”

She cried as I pulled her to me. I didn’t know what to do, should I tell her or wait for Nova. I had the foresight to bring my phone, and I opened up our group chat.

Me: I found her, but she is sad that Nova has boyfriends. She said she wanted us to be her mom’s boyfriends.

Colt: Where are you?

Me: Small Barn.

I rubbed Sol’s back as she continued to cry, I wanted to fix this, but I didn’t know how. So, I kept quiet as she cried in my arms, afraid I would say something wrong because I hated seeing her sad. The barn door opened quickly as Nova stomped in, looking furious. I shook my head not wanting her to be mad.

Nova took a deep breath before walking toward us. She knelt down, putting her hand on Sol’s back.

“Sweetheart,” she said softly. “Talk to momma.”

“Who are your boyfriends? Why can’t Colt, Theo and Atlas be your boyfriends?” Sol mumbled into my shirt.

“Is that why you have been mad at me?” Nova asked.

“I like them, and we could be a family,” Sol said, pulling away from me. “I like all the time we've been spending together.”

“Honey,” Nova whispered, as a tear slid down her face.

“I asked Santa for a big family, Momma,” Sol said, looking down at her hands.

My throat grew tight with emotion. Sol was the sweetest kid, and it was beyond me why her father wasn’t in the picture with this amazing little girl. I felt honored that she wanted to be my family and I hoped Nova was going to tell her because I would give Sol and Nova the world if they let me.

“I’m sorry, Sol,” Nova said, wiping her eyes. “I know things haven’t been easy for us and we've had to do this family thing alone, but the reason mommy didn’t tell you about her boyfriends was because she didn’t want you to get your hopes up. I didn’t want to give you another thing to be disappointed about, but if you really want to know, I will tell you.”

“What if they don’t like me, Momma?” Sol whispered.

“Oh honey, they adore you.” Nova reached for Sol, and she went willingly.

I looked away as Sol’s insecurities reminded me of my own and I didn’t want her growing up like that. She deserved to be told every day she was wanted and loved.

“Who is it, Momma?” Sol asked softly.

“I think you know them,” Nova said, hiding her smile. “Teddy Bear, Colty and Atty.”

Sol abruptly pushed away from Nova.

“Momma, they are your boyfriends?” She looked at me in disbelief.

“Yeah, they are.” Nova blushed. “I didn’t tell you because I thought I was protecting you from heartache, but now I see that I was wrong in doing so.”

“Momma!” Sol tackled Nova in a hug, and I laughed. “We don’t keep secrets.”

“I know sweetheart. Momma was worried about you, you will always be my priority,” she said, cupping Sol’s face so they were looking at each other. “You are my baby and at the end of the day, I will do everything I can to protect you.”

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