Page 171 of Aftersome
“Is Daddy getting you?” Doe laughed along with her as I tickled my way down to her belly.
Her tiny hands went to push me away and that’s when I scooped her out of my wife’s arms and pulled her in close to me.
She was getting big fast and I wished the time would slow down. Soon, she’d be running circles around us and I’ll be trying to catch up with her.
It made my throat tighten just thinking about all the accomplishments she’s made in life already. From rolling over, to sitting up on her own, I was there for it all.
And even now, the thought of her being a big sister.
Fuck…
She was going to be the best. I already knew it.
“You know I’m just teasing you, Mal. As much as I’d love having endless children with you, I love our little family.” Doe ran her palm down her stomach lovingly before lifting her eyes to meet mine. “I love this life we created.”
Goddammit, Doe.
All I could think about was how badly I wanted to drag her into our bedroom where I could show her just how fucking crazy about her I was.
“Me too, baby.” I held my hand out for her to grab and immediately, she placed it in mine.
And just when I was about to pull her in for a kiss, a voice appeared from the house where I noticed the shadow of a person.
“You got my girl down there?” Greg shouted as both he and Shelia sauntered down the hill with beaming smiles directed toward Hailey.
Once she heard her grandfather's voice, she instantly began to seek him out.
“Aw, there she is!” Greg closed the distance between us and snatched my daughter out of my hands.
The toothless smile she gave him had all of us melting.
She loved her grandparents so much. As she should. They were the greatest people I’ve ever known and now watching them love and care for our daughter was single-handedly the most precious thing in the world.
I let them know every chance I get how appreciative I am to have them in my life and of course they respond with the same to me.
Eventually we made our way back up to the house where James and his family were waiting for us on our back deck.
This was our Sunday.
Spent with family and friends, we cooked out, and talked about everything and anything. At first, I wasn’t thrilled about the idea but now that we’ve been doing it for years, I actually look forward to Sundays…
Our life was perfect, but it wasn’t without its struggles and hardships. But if it weren’t for Greg and Shelia, Doe, Hailey, my unborn son, and Hayes, I don’t know where I’d be.
Lost, I’m sure.
And as I watched on as my family interacted with one another, as my baby girl ran around with James’s son, and as my wife slowly turned her head and caught my eyes and smiled, I knew I was one lucky man.
So goddamn lucky that I couldn’t help but smile back at my beautiful wife, Doe.
Then peering off into the distance, where the sun was slowly dipping down into the sky, I thought of Hayes.
I knew he was here with me. Right by my side, he was watching over us.
Watching over Doe.
Watching over our daughter.
And I hoped he could see how happy I was. How I had finally found my purpose in life and it was all because of him.
