Page 61 of Recipes for Life

“I’m joking, Murphy.”

“That’s not funny.” He squeezed my hand while I continued to laugh.

“Is it weird that I want to tell Lux? That I don’t want to hide it from her? But I’m worried... We’ve never spent much time together as a family, and I’ve always held some regret for that. Do you think it would be the wrong choice?”

His expression turned from terror to pensive as he thought over what I said.

“I’m in it for the long haul, Odette—no amount of anything could make me change my mind. I want to be an active part of your day to day life, and Lux is bound to find out, eventually. I’d rather be upfront and honest with her than sneak around like we are doing something wrong.”

“I agree.”

“Tonight then? Lux is going to want her treehouse.”

She’d been begging to go home and see her garden and room for a few days now. Apparently, being cooped up at Grandma’s house was fun at first, but now she was going a little bit stir crazy. Murphy had been able to sway her with a Disney movie marathon and snacks.

“Tonight.” I stroked my thumb over his hand just as he turned into his parents’ driveway. I hadn’t realized how long we’d been gone until we pulled into the drive and the porch light was coming on. Walking into the house and finding our way to the kitchen where we heard voices, we saw Susan was talking to Lux about how to bake the perfect cookie. Once entering, I saw Susan place cookie dough on a sheet while Lux sat there with a spoon full of it, laughing at her demonstration.

“Oh! You guys are back just in time!” She swiveled toward us, her eyes taking us in and clocking our hands and the goofy smiles on our faces. Susan let out a scream that I’m pretty sure would have broken glass, followed by a shrill line of giggles and exclamations. “This is amazing! I’m so happy for you guys!”

“Honey! Get down here!” She screamed so freaking loudly that it startled me so badly that I jumped almost two feet in the air, causing Lux to erupt in a fit of giggles. The kitchen air felt so full of love and happiness that my heart was aching in a way it hadn’t in years. The ache that was sogood,it hurt.

“Is your ass on fire?” Murphy's dad lumbered into the kitchen, a stern over his face as if he were trying to suss out the potential threat. Once he realized that Susan’s face was a happy one, he turned his attention to us.

We didn’t even have to say a word before he grumbled, “It’s about damn time.”

He walked over to scoop me up in a hug, which had Murphy whisper-yelling at him, “Watch the ribs!”

“I barely touched her. And don’t forget what I said, Murphy. I’ll break your kneecaps.” He pointed at him while he released me, but then turned and pulled Murphy into a hug. I was close enough to overhear what he whispered into Murphy's ear.

“Youdeservethis, son.”

He backed up but kept him within arm’s length and a look passed between them that had them both looking away with a tear in their eyes. I couldn’t help but feel like I was intruding on a special moment, so I made my way over to Lux, who was looking at all of us with interest.

She could tell something was going on, she just wasn’t exactly sure what it was. Her smile was huge as I came over to her. “Hey, baby.”

“Hey, Momma.” It always took my breath away whenever I looked at her. She was the perfect mix of Murphy and me. I felt Murphy step up behind me and wrap his arm around my waist.

“Hey, Daddy.” Her eyes floated down to our interaction, and her eyebrows knitted together in confusion before she looked at us, not needing to ask the question.

“Your mom and I would like to talk to you about some things, and then we were thinking we would go home.” He looked over at his mom and shot her an apologetic look, but there was noneed. Susan was so happy with this turn of events that she had no problem whatsoever with us leaving.

“Oh! We will just go and pack your things. No need you to strain yourself, dear.”

She grabbed her husband by his shoulder and hastily shoved him out into the hallway and down to the back room where my things were being kept.

“Am I in trouble?” Lux asked us in a small voice, and I immediately felt bad.

“No, baby, of course not. We just, well…”

I looked at Murphy for some guidance, and he cleared his throat.

“Do you remember when you asked me why Mom and I weren’t together? Why weren't we like other families in your class?”

I gasped and made eye contact with Murphy and then Lux. “You did, baby? When?”

She shrugged at me, then looked down. “A while ago.”

“Why didn’t you come to me?” I implored while sweeping her hair away from her face, trying to soothe her, to reassure her that she wasn’t in any trouble. I also shot Murphy a questioning glance.

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