Page 33 of Resolution
“In my defense, I didn’t think you’d be home. I would have told you, but it’s never come up.”
Enzo places his hand over his left brow and shakes his head as he looks at the table. I think I hear him mutter, “I’m an ass.” But I’m not sure.
“What’s wrong, Enzo?” I ask, wondering what he’s calling himself an ass for.
“We’ll be married in a few weeks, Sam. Don’t you think I should know your kids’ birthdays? I knew Maddie’s was in February, but not the exact date.”
I reach my arm out to comfort him. “Enzo. Honey. It’s okay. I don’t know your family’s birthdays either. We have time to learn that.” I get up from the table and walk to him and place my arms around his neck.
I kiss him once as his arms snake around my waist. “For the record, Declan’s birthday is April fifteenth, and you already know Frankie’s is November eighteenth.” I kiss him on the nose before adding with a tease, “And so you never get into trouble, mine’s June eleventh.”
“Okay, smartass. I know that one.” He swats me on the ass and pulls me close for a quick kiss. “I guess I just forgot Maddie’s. I knew the rest. I’ve just been busy lately.”
“Uh, you could say that again.” Just thinking about what he’s done in the last few weeks alone has given me hives. I’m glad it was him and not me moving to another continent.
“So what kind of car are you thinking?” His eyebrows waggle, letting me know he’s no longer upset.
“Well, we need something that seats at least seven if we’re all together.”
“Holy shit, our family is huge,” he says in disbelief.
“Well, you and your super sperm have seen that we’re growing by two, in just a mere matter of months,” I tease. “And—Just to be clear, there’s no freaking way I’m driving a minivan. You can do it all you want, but I refuse. Even with our ginormous family, I refuse to stoop to that level.”
“Um, not that I ever pictured myself rolling up in a minivan, but what do you have against them? Aren’t they what all the hip parents are driving these days?”
“Ugh! Not on your life. You just watch when we go to pick up the kids from school today. Everyone has one… It’s like they multiply like bunnies. They’re everywhere. Nope. No way. Not for me. I like driving on the beach and not worrying about bad weather.”
Enzo’s expression turns surprised. “Okay. No minivans.”
We spend more time talking about the possibility of different vehicles to drive, but never come to a consensus. He agrees that until we find the right vehicle for us, we’ll just use my car to get us around. He doesn’t have to report for work with Riggs until after our wedding, so it shouldn’t be a problem.
Since Enzo’s the epitome of punctual, we get out of the car and walk to meet Frankie and Dec at the front of the school, instead of pulling through the drive-thru parking routine, or the DNR as I refer to it each morning when the kids are running late and I have to push them out the door to arrive on time. He hoots with laughter when I inform him DNR refers to Dump-N-Run.
Students file out of the school as Enzo and I take notice of just how many minivans fill the parking lot. He had no idea they even made that many different models of the same car.
A high-pitched scream interrupts our conversation. Before either of us can register who made the noise, Frankie launches herself at Enzo. Thank God, his reflexes are phenomenal. He manages to catch her as she jumps into his arms and squeezes him with all she’s got. I’ve never seen her so excited to see anyone, and her reaction instantly melts my heart. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one to miss him so much.
“Enzo!” She pulls back to look him in the eye but doesn’t let go. “You’re here,” comes out in almost a whisper in comparison to the scream she released just seconds ago.
The look of pure joy that spreads across his features makes my ovaries burst. There’s nothing better than seeing the man you love, loving your children as much as you do. Holy hell. The burst of emotion that flows through me nearly has my eyes springing a leak. As I wipe at my lashes, I shake my head and curse.These damn hormones.
“I’m here, sugar.” Enzo squeezes her once more before placing her on the ground and ruffling her hair. “How was your day at school?”
“It was good. I was on the school news for the Joke of the Day.”
“Really? What’s the joke?” Enzo asks like he’s waiting on pins and needles.
“A farmer had one hundred ninety-six cows in a field. But when he rounded them up, he had two hundred.” Frankie laughs so hard at her own joke, we can’t help but join her.
When Declan spots us, his pace picks up. “Hey, Enzo, when did you get back?” He, too, surprises me when he hugs Enzo in front of everyone. Enzo should cherish it. I don’t even rate like that these days.
“Last night. What do you say to picking up your sister from school and going out to dinner to celebrate?” Enzo eagerly suggests.
As Frankie shouts, “Yes!” Dec has a defeated look cross his face and mumbles, “Can’t.”
Before I can interject, Enzo notices immediately. “What’s wrong, bud?”
Declan kicks a rock on the pavement as he states, “I have soccer tryouts this week. I won’t be done until seven.”
