Page 128 of Ryder

We spend the afternoon at the bakery until it’s time to head home. Ryder looks suspiciously happy when we’re sitting at the dinner table. We’re trying to make it a family ritual now, instead of eating on the fly. Giving Ade some more grounding and familytime has been instrumental, and he loves telling us all about his day over dinner together.

“You know how I couldn’t pick you up from school today because Daddy was busy?” Ryder says, a huge smile on his face. “Wanna know what I was doin’?”

Aidan has all kinds of guesses ranging from getting a new puppy, insert eye roll courtesy of Luna and Bronco; the adoptive animal duo, to helping Audrina and Hustler with the new baby. Aidan is completely smitten with the baby. The photos of him holding her tentatively are completely adorable.

“I give up!” Aidan laughs when he’s exhausted all kinds of crazy scenarios.

He produces a little Mickey Mouse cap and places it on the table. “How would you like to go to Disneyland with me and Mommy?”

His eyes go as round as saucers. “Disneyland?”

Just seeing the joy on his face is worth a million bucks.

“Yep. I was busy bookin’ us tickets to California,” Ryder goes on. “To meet Mickey and Minnie.”

“Yay!” Aidan jumps up and down as I pull the cap on his head. He looks so stinking cute. “Can we meet Goofy too? I really like Goofy. And Spiderman?”

“I think we can do that,” Ryder says. “We leave in two weeks.”

I smile across at my husband, feeling the love bug all around our little bubble.

“Mommy and Daddy and our big boy need a vacation,” I say, trying not to cry. “Our first real vacation together as a family.”

“We can get Mommy some Minnie Mouse ears. Wouldn’t she look cute in those?” Ryder laughs.

Secretly, I’ve always wanted a pair of Minnie Mouse ears, and I’m not afraid to say it.

“She’d look so cute!” Aidan waves his arms around, ecstatic. I’m sure the first thing he’ll be telling everyone at school tomorrow is about his new vacation.

“I love you,” I mouth across the table.

“I love you, too,” Ryder says, his face softening when Ade hugs him, almost falling off his chair.

The house is filled with laughter. All of the pain and suffering we’ve been through is forgotten. This is a new start for all of us, and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store.

Whatever happens, we’ll always have this moment.

Me and my boys.

Ryder

Two weeks later

I smile as I close my son’s door quietly. He’s exhausted from the full day we had at Disneyland. I’ve never seen a kid so happy, and we’ve got the rest of the week to explore California, hang out at the hotel, and go back to Disneyland again.

I find my wife where I left her; in the tub.

I watch her from the doorway, humming a little tune as she sits back with her eyes closed. Her honey, golden locks piled on top of her head in a messy bun. This is how I love her; all disheveled and relaxed. Seeing her take some time out for herself this vacation has been just what the doctor ordered. I know it’s never truly a vacation when you have a child, but she’s had a day at the spa, and I’ve more fun things lined up before we leave. We’ve eaten out every night, so no cooking or cleaning, and if I’m not mistaken, we’ve had sex every night since we gothere. I think I could handle vacationing all the time if this is the reward. Just seeing Crystal relaxed without any worry on her face is enough for me.

Sensing me, her eyes spring open as she turns to look towards the door. “How long have you been standing there?”

I grin. “Not long enough. Didn’t see anythin’.”

“You weren’t looking hard enough.”

“Oh, I was lookin’, babe.” I push off the doorframe and walk toward her. “There’s too many bubbles.”

They’re almost overflowing, but that’s just how Crystal likes it.

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