Page 88 of Bleeding Hearts

Her warmth floods through me, a joyous sob escaping my lips as I hug her tiny frame. “Because I’d like that very much.”

“Good. Then that’s what I’m gonna call you. Kellie can call you Momma, too.” She wiggles in my arms so she can continue roasting her hotdog. “Adults are so weird.”

My fingers find her ribs and her breath hitches into a delightful giggle. “I’m not weird. I’m just happy. And Kellie doesn’t have to call me Momma if she doesn’t want to. It’s up to her what she calls me.”

I understand Kellie’s situation is different. She remembers her mother. The last thing I want is for her to think I’m trying to replace what she lost.

Despite her nonchalant shrug, her teary gaze betrays her true emotions. “I’m cool with it. If you’re cool with it.”

“Cool with what?” Nolan’s deep voice echoes around us. “Why are you two crying?”

Mollie drops her stick in my lap and runs to her father, jumping into his arms, fully trusting him to catch her. “No more calling Miss Beth, Miss Beth. We decided we’re gonna call her Momma. Right, Momma?”

The air crackles with unspoken emotions, thick and heavy, until Finn, unable to bear it any longer, breaks it. “And Felix and I are gonna start calling you Pops.”

There isn’t a dry eye left. Tears stream down our faces, not from sadness, but from uncontrollable laughter that has us all doubled over.

Chapter 41

Nolan

It’s dark now.

We’ve had a great night outside as a family. The boys haven’t dropped the Pops crap since Finn opened his mouth. I don’t mind, really. I know he did it as a joke, but I wouldn’t mind if they kept calling me that.

After we stuff our faces with roasted marshmallows, then catch and release a few dozen fireflies, we settle in around the fire. The kids will likely want to go inside soon, as boredom sets in.

With Bethany in the bathroom, I seize the chance to do something I’ve been wanting to do. I have to make this quick and do it so Mollie doesn’t give anything away. Love her, but she has a tendency to spoil surprises, not on purpose but because she’s five and gets excited.

“Can I ask you boys something serious?”

Finn raises his hands. “I didn’t do it.”

“Doubt that, but you can tell me later what you didn’t do,” I tease, because that’s what we do. “Because you two have been looking after your mom all your lives, I wouldn’t feel right not getting your permission.”

Felix, turning his head slightly, casts his gaze toward Finn. “About freaking time, man.”

“We thought you were gonna chicken out.” With a resounding smack, Finn high-fives his brother, a grin splitting his face.

“So, is that a yes?” I ask, keeping an eye on the backdoor.

“One hundred, Pops.” With a confident nod, Finn answers for them both.

Rising to his feet, Felix walks over to Mollie. “Come on, kiddo. Pops and Momma need some privacy. How about we go downstairs, and you teach me how to play that new princess game?”

Finn is right behind them.

Kellie finishes her drink, the ice clinking softly in the glass, before she stands and heads that way.

“What about you, kid? You okay with it, too?”

Instead of speaking, she crosses the space between us; her hug enveloping me in a strong, silent embrace. Recently, her emotional volatility has become increasingly obvious, with rapid shifts in mood and intensity. These damn teenage hormones are changing her, but not for the bad. She’s still my tough, rough, scrappy daughter, with a few more emotions that she and I are learning to embrace.

When the backdoor opens she releases me, passes Bethany, hugs her, then joins the others inside.

“Are we really that boring?” Bethany joins me on the wicker bench.

“I don’t think you’re boring at all.” I gently lay my hand on her leg, feeling the warmth of her skin through the thin fabric of her skirt.

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