“Okay, she was asleep when I got up. Let’s go upstairs. Are we going to go live with you? Can I have my own room? Can I bring my Xbox One? Can I have a Nintendo Switch? Mikey has Mario Kart and the new Zelda. They are so fun. We can play together. I’m sorry we messed up your truck. I kind of knew it was a bad idea. But seeing all the different donuts, all lined up in all the boxes, made it hard to make a good choice. We wanted to taste them all. I’m pretty sure we were all crazy for a few minutes.”

When I was sure he was finished talking, I attempted an answer, something fatherly and adult. My father had been a shit dad, so I thought of Ben. What would Ben say?

“I forgive you. I can understand being tempted by something you think you can’t resist. But it could be dangerous to get into a vehicle without an adult. Did you think about that?”

He shook his head.

“Next time try to think before you do something. Can you promise me you’ll try?” I asked.

“I pinky promise,” he said and held out his hand. After locking pinkies, I swung him up into my arms. He was so innocent and cute, and could ramble on and on when he spoke, but he was also astute and self-aware.

“Hey, guys!” Lily shouted from the top of the stairs with Calla in her arms. She wore a yellow-flowered sundress and high heels that did things to her legs that made me wish we were alone. She was like the sun. She brought the warmth back to my heart. The ring sparkled on her finger, shining like a little sunbeam, telling me she was mine. “Everyone is outside. Let’s talk up here.” We followed her the rest of the way to settle on the sectional couch.

“What’s going on?” Dylan demanded. “Are we going to live with Luke now?”

“Would it be okay if I marry your mom?” I asked.

“Yes!” he shouted, then hopped up to face Lily and me. “We can be a family together. You won’t have to live in that huge house all by yourself. Oh, and can Rocky sleep in my room? I saw you guys kissing so many times when you thought I wasn’t looking. I guessed this would happen, and I was right!”

Lily melted into my side with Calla in her arms then Dylan stood up and threw himself at me, I caught him with a smile. We sat there, holding each other, then Dahlia appeared at the top of the stairs.

“What’s going on? Is everything okay?” she asked. Lily stuck her hand out and waved it around as an answer.