Page 21 of The Wish List
“Yes. And you hold hands. Momma told me once that grown-ups do that when they like each other. She holds my hand because she loves me and doesn’t want me to get lost.”
“I don’t want your momma to get lost either.”
He suddenly looked older than his years. “She smiles more when you’re here, Asher. She doesn’t seem so sad.”
“Your momma gets sad?”
He scuffed his boot in the snow. “She tries to hide it, but I see sometimes. She cries.”
My heart hurt for them both. “Sometimes grown-ups cry,” I agreed with him. “There’s a lot of responsibility when you’re big.”
“Do you?”
“On occasion.”
“I try to be good for her when she cries.”
I ruffled his hair. “It’s not you, bud. She loves you, and I think you’re a good boy all the time. She just needs to cry. Mommas are like that sometimes.”
“Will you make her cry?”
“I hope not.”
“Will you go away and not come back like my dad?”
“No. I plan on staying.” I drew in a deep breath. “Sometimes being a grown-up is a lot of work. I like your momma, and she likes me. We want to keep seeing each other. We’ll need some time alone—and other times with you. Lots of it, really. If that’s okay with you.”
“I’d like that.” He flung his arms around my neck. “I like you, Asher.”
I hugged him back tightly. “I like you. Now, let’s try out this new sled, okay?”
“Okay!”
We spent a couple of hours at the park, arriving back at the apartment cold and hungry. The scent of the turkey filled the small space, and the feeling of peace and belonging filled my soul as I stepped inside and saw Rosie’s wide smile greeting us.
Midafternoon, I fell asleep on the sofa with AJ snuggled beside me, and when I woke up, Rosie was nestled into my other side.
And I was complete.
Dinner contained more laughter. More bonding. Afterward, cleaning up, I wrapped my arms around Rosie’s waist, dropping my head to her shoulder.
“Did you have a good day?” she asked.
“The best. You?” I tightened my arms as I waited for her reply.
“Yes. You made all my dreams on my wish list come true.”
I held back my smile. If only she knew I was just starting. I planned to give her every dream and wish she could think of.
“Can I stay?” I asked quietly. The thought of going back to my cold, empty condo felt wrong. I wanted to be right here. What happened after the next few days, we would deal with. But for now, this was where I wanted to be. For as long as she would let me stay.
“Yes.”
I spun her in my arms and kissed her. “Thank you.”
Our eyes met and held. “This is only the beginning. You know that, right?”
She nodded. “I do.” She cupped my face. “Merry Christmas, Asher.”
