Page 45 of Moonlight & Matrimony
“Good. I’ll leave you to get set up. The event starts in ten.”
“Thanks, Mo.”
“That’s our 8th adoption!” I squeal in delight. “There’s only 1 cat left.”
Mo snickers. “Yeah, and it looks like he’s already been claimed.”
“Nope. Not happening.” I shake my head, determined to fend off the rising urge to take that little ball of sweetness home with me. I don’t know how Luca would feel about it, and it’s just another responsibility to add to the shit show that is my life.
“But look at them! Rylin is smitten, and that little tripod needs a family to love him.” I glance towards my daughter, watching the insanely adorable sight unfolding before me. My sweet girl is laying on her belly, almost nose to nose with a three-legged tabby. He’s roughly five months old. The shelter worker said he’d been through something traumatic, and left severely wounded to the point where they had to amputate his leg. He's several weeks out from his surgery now, and he’s starting to get his bearings. I can’t help but feel an overwhelming kinship with the wounded creature — I know what it’s like to feel broken beyond repair. This little kitten looks at Rylin like she’s his best friend, and I’ve never related to anything more than that. Rylin, for all intents and purposes,ismy best friend. She’s my favorite person in the whole world.
“Fuck it. I’ll text Luca.”
Ivy: Can we?
I attach a picture of Rylin and the kitten, intentionally playing what I‘m certain is going to be the winning hand. Luca can’t say no to his ‘little bug’.
Luca: Does that cat have 3 legs?
Ivy: Yes. ??
Luca: Has Rylin given him a name yet?
Ivy: Obviously.
Luca: OK. Bring him home.
“Eeeeee!” Mo squeals over my shoulder. “I’ll get the paperwork!”
Chapter 11
Luca
? Dive - Olivia Dean
Ispent the better part of the last four days avoiding my wife. She brought home the little three-legged kitten, and my heart nearly lept out of my chest when I saw them all playing together in my living room. We haven’t spent much time together since. I’ve been intentionally staying late in the workshop, and leaving bright and early for work in the morning before the girls are even awake. I’m punishing myself for not stopping when I should have. Ivy clearly wasn’t ready to go as far as we did. My entire body aches in protest of the long hours. There’s no way I can keep this up.
Standing in the kitchen, I mentally prepare myself to face them. It's my day off, and I can’t avoid them forever. And if I’m being honest, I’ve been missing my tiny sidekick. I’ll just have to do my best to keep an emotional barrier between me and my wife.
I’m just about to pour myself some coffee when my phone vibrates on the kitchen island. I flip it over, watching the notifications from the group chat roll in.
Paige: Baby Time!
Mags: OMG!
Ivy: Good luck, babe! Keep us updated!
Miles: How’s daddy Cade doing?
Cade: Freaking the fuck out, man. And don’t call me daddy.
Cara: Nurse Cara is on the way!
Dean: ??
Cade: Keep that horny shit out of the group chat.
Miles: You do know how babies are made, right?
