Page 88 of Time for Change

Smiling, I reply, “I’m so glad you are building a relationship with your siblings.”

She nods nervously. “Me too.”

I step forward, invading her personal space and press my lips to hers. “Don’t be nervous, Sweets. They’re going to love you.”

Stevie and I catch movement out of the corner of our eyes at the same time, and when we turn, we find Gianna standing at the top of the stairs, watching us. “Hey, sweetheart,” I say, after being busted kissing Stevie. “Dinner’s about ready. Want to come help set the table?”

Gianna stares at Stevie before nodding. She takes careful steps downward, slowly making her way toward us.

“Hi, Gianna. It’s nice to see you again,” Stevie greets with a pleasant grin.

“Hi.” She continues to keep an eye on Stevie as she asks, “Do you like Brussels sprouts?”

I catch Stevie pulling a disgusted face. “Umm, not usually, no.”

“See, Dad? Even Stevie doesn’t like them,” she grumbles, crossing her arms over her chest. She looks back at the woman beside me and adds, “Dad makes us eat them. They’re so gross.”

Stevie giggles, making my heart beat a little faster. “Well, if he’s going to make you eat them, he’s going to make me eat them too. We’ll be miserable together,” Stevie announces.

“Come on, troublemakers. Let’s go into the kitchen.”

I hang back as the two girls in my life walk side by side toward the kitchen. It feels good to see them getting along right off the bat. I don’t anticipate it will always be this easy, but it definitely helps pave the road for the future. If the woman I’ve fallen for can be close to my children, then there’s nothing else I want in this world.

Except maybe a partner to help as I raise them.

But I don’t want to get ahead of myself.

Even if I’m one-thousand-percent in love with her now.

***

“Dad, Christian’s trying to cheat!” Gianna yells, holding her Uno cards back so her brother can’t see them.

“Christian, eyes on your own cards,” I remind my son, even though his cards are all sitting on the table in front of him. He can’t hold cards well, and usually resorts to just placing them in front of him so he can see them all. We try not to look, but it’s pretty difficult.

“She’s looking at my cards!” he bellows.

“Because they’re lying in front of my face,” Gianna retorts.

“Here.” I watch as Stevie grabs the box for the Uno Attacks game and slides it in front of Christian. “You can hide your cards behind the box.”

My son grins from ear to ear as he shifts the box a little more toward his sister and starts moving his cards. Of course, by doing so, he gives me a better shot at seeing them, but if it makes him feel better to hide them from Gianna, I’m all for it. “Tanks!”

I flash her a smile, which she returns, and we resume the game.

“Uno,” Stevie says, holding up her last card.

“What? Are you cheating too?” I joke, giving her a wink.

“Nope, not cheating,” Stevie boasts proudly.

We make it all the way around the table, and when it reaches her turn, she lays her card down. “I win!”

“Me too!” Christian proclaims.

“What? How did you win too?” Gianna asks, dumbfounded.

“We’re partners,” he replies reasonably.

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