Page 100 of Waiting for Redemption

“I didn’t have to. He heardeverythingwhen he walked up to get me and when Tommy’s dad said I couldn’t help that I didn’t have a dad, Tank threw him in the trash can. And I got to watch!” I have so many mixed emotions from this conversation I don’t even know where to start.

“He didwhat?”

“He threw Tommy’s dad over his shoulder and took him to the dumpsters behind the school. He told him that he was going to teach me to stand up for myself and be brave.” He animatedly stomps through the living room, throwing an invisible person over his shoulder into an imaginary dumpster, smiling so big I temporarily let go of the arguments I have about the way that was handled. “It was awesome.” He finally plops back down beside me.

“So, you started calling Tank Dad today then, huh?”

“Yeah. Because Ireallywant Tank to be my dad. He is, isn’t he, Mom?” My heart twists as his big brown eyes search mine.

“Let me ask you this. What doyouthink it means to be a dad?”

“I think dads play soccer and make you laugh. They get the same haircuts and keep you safe. They come to pick you up from school and take you for ice cream. Oh, and they protect you and love yousomuch.” Tears fill my eyes as Hendrix explains every single thing that Tank has done for him that makes him think he’d make a good dad. “And Tank doesallof that with me. And now that you’re married, he gets to be my dad, right?”

“I think Tank makes thebestdad,” I agree.

“So, it’s okay if I call him that now?” he asks hopefully.

“If that’s how you feel and it’s what you want, then of course you can, buddy.”

“Thanks, Mommy.” He wraps his arms around my neck as we fall back on the couch, giggling together as I tickle his sides.

“Hey, does everyone want cheese on their burgers?” Tank asks, appearing back in the living room.

“Yes, please,” Hendrix and I both say in unison.

“Cool.” He turns to go back to grilling but Hendrix scrambles to his feet and darts over to him, throwing himself into Tank’s arms.

“Whoa, hey!” Hendrix wraps his arms around Tank’s neck, squeezing him so hard I think he might choke him. “What’s this for?” he asks with a smile, squeezing him back as his eyes cut to me.

“Thanks for marrying my mom,” he whispers, though I can still hear him clear as day. “I’msohappy you get to be my dad now.” Tank glances over at me again, this time with a look of elated surprise. I smile, nodding my head to let him know I’m okay with it.

“I’m so happy I get to be your dad too, buddy. You have no idea just how much.” He closes his eyes as Hendrix nuzzles into his neck. “And thanks for letting me marry her.”

“You’re welcome,” he says loudly, making us laugh as he pops back up and hops out of Tank’s arms. When Tank heads back outside to grill, Hendrix appoints himself co-grill master and goes with him, so I take the opportunity to close my eyes and try to rest until dinner is ready. However, that plan only lasts long enough for me to get comfortable before my phone goes off.

Ding.

REMINDER:APPOINTMENT TOMORROW @ 8:30 AM Morgenson Law Firm.

I lock my phone and toss it to the side, letting my head fall back on the couch as I let out a frustrated groan. There are so many moments where I almost forgetwhyTank and I got married in the first place. Finally admitting our feelings for each other and ending up in the situation we’re in now feels like a fairytale that keeps getting disrupted by a harsher reality.

I wish this were all just some stupid nightmare that I could wake up from—only when I wake up Tank and I would still be together. Unfortunately, this nightmare I’m living isveryreal. At least through the storm, I still have Tank. His unwavering support and confidence that we’ll get through this and come out the other side is the only thing keeping me afloat most days.

“Go wash up and then you can set the table, I’ll get Mom.” I hear the boys setting things down in the kitchen, and I can’t help but fall even more in love with him and the way he’s taking charge around here. Teaching Hendrix how to stand up for himself, taking him for a haircut without me asking, cooking dinner for us like it’s just the most natural thing in the world. I’m not sure if he was worried about fitting into our lives and our routines, but in the same way, he’s said I was the missing puzzle piece from his life—he was the one missing from ours as well. I only hope things can stay like this for us.

“Yes, sir.” Hendrix’s little feet take off down the hallway. My eyes are still shut when I feel Tank sit down right beside me.

“What’s got my beautiful wife frowning?” he asks, pressing the frown lines between my eyebrows to smooth them out. I peek over at him with one eye, instantly melting when I see him staring back at me. He’s got his gray baseball cap back on, and the black T-shirt he’s wearing hugs his biceps so tight it looks like it could rip any second.

“Just being reminded about our appointment with the attorney tomorrow,” I explain, making him nod his head. “Sometimes I just wish none of this was happening. That we could keep the family we’re starting to build without all the bullshit from my ex.” He studies me a minute before wrapping his arm around me, scooping me up and into his lap as my legs straddle either side of him. I let out a little squeal as he does, and he smiles when I begin to giggle.

“Baby, we’re going to keep focusing on the little family we have here. That’s what the judge needs to see anyway, right? That Hendrix has a home with two parents who love him and are doing everything they can to take care of him? So let’s keep focusing on that, and I believe the rest will take care of itself.” I shake my head, taking in every one of his gentle, yet masculine features.

“How do you do it? Stay so sure that everything is going to work out, even in the worst possible situation?” I ask curiously, running my hand along his cheek.

“Because, I don’t believe I was given a second chance to plan for the worst-case scenario. I’m using every bit of faith and hope that I have to plan for our future together. Me, you,andHendrix. We got this, baby.” He gives me a reassuring wink before bringing my lips to his, sending an ache for him straight to my core.

“I’m hungryyyyy!” Hendrix yells from the kitchen.

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