“Dad, if they talk to me, I will kick their butts and sic Noah on them. Deal?” she negotiates.
Jordan relaxes and smiles at her. “Deal, baby girl.” He walks over to her and pulls her into a bear hug. “I don’t want my baby girl to grow up, but you can live here with me forever. You don’t need a man.”
Vanessa peeks at me and rolls her eyes.
I dread the day when she actually finds herself a man. I may go on vacation and hide from Jordan.
Noah is smiling at his dad and his sister. After sliding from my stool, I sneak over to him. I grab him into a bear hug and pepper his face with kisses. He squirms, trying to get away, but I hold on tight. He will never get too old for me to love on him.
After I let him go, he jumps away. Jordan is staring at both of us with a happy expression on his face.
I walk over into his arms. Raising my head back, I mutter, “I love you.”
“Love you too, angel.” He kisses my forehead.
I lay my head on his chest. I look at Vanessa and Noah. They’re watching us. I want them to find what we have.
I know they will. I will raise them to never settle for anything less than the best for them, whatever that may be.
The end