Page 5 of Finally, Our Forever

I look her in the eyes and she holds my stare, not looking away like she would have when she was eighteen.

I clear my throat. “Maci Kate. It’s been a long time, baby.” The endearment falls out of my mouth on its own accord.

Is that a hint of a smile? God, I hope so. She looks confused, but recovers quickly.

“Sorry about Bennett. He’s four. He knows better than that, but he’s still pushing the limits.”

She isn’t the same girl I used to know. She’s grown up. She’s more mature and a mom. I have never thought that being a mom, a great mom, would be a turn on, but it is. She turns to call for her son.

“It’s fine. I don’t give a shit about a ball hitting me.”

Ignoring me, she calls him over anyway. “Bennett, come here a minute, buddy.”

Bennett comes back over to where we are standing and looks at me warily. I know I’m a big guy, 6’5” and built like a brick shit house—most kids fear me, not that I’ve ever cared what they think of me. I care what Bennett thinks, though.

I give him my fist to pound, and someone must have taught him right because he gives me a pound right back.

“Hey man, I’m Reece. What’s your name?”

He smiles a toothy grin. “My name is Bennett. I’m four. I’m in VPK.”

I look at Maci and give her a look, one she immediately understands and laughs.

“VPK is Volunteer Pre-Kindergarten. It’s the year before kindergarten starts, getting him ready for school.”

I nod “Do you like VPK, Bennett?”

“Yes. I have fun at school.”

“What do you like to do at school?”

“I do puzzles and color. My teacher reads stories. My favorite thing to do is play on the slide.”

“I love the slide, too.” He gives me another pound, like I’ve passed his test or something.

“Momma, can I have a cookie? Pleeeease, Momma.”

Maci rolls her eyes at me, as if to say, Can you believe this kid? It’s like she’s including me in some secret between parents. I’m proud to be involved in this tiny moment.

“Why don’t you go find Nana and see if she can find some for you?”

Bennet runs off to find his Nana, and leaves his mom with me.

“So, how’s it been going, Reece? You’ve been back a while now, but I haven’t seen you. Where are you working?”

I stare at her, trying to find some words that make sense.

“Yeah. I’ve been back for a few years. I opened a security firm with the guys that were in my unit in the Marines. I’m doing what I like and it keeps me busy. It’s hard to get away sometimes.”

I hedge, giving a sorry excuse for why I haven’t been around. The real reason, which I’m not going into with her, is because it was too hard to be around her and her happy family.

“Yeah, your momma told me about it some. She’s extremely proud of what you’ve accomplished.”

I nod. She’s told me more than a few times how proud of me she is.

I can’t get enough of Maci Kate. Her arms are crossed at the chest, unintentionally pushing up her big tits. She’s sexy as fuck, and doesn’t even know it.

I clear my throat and quickly look away from her chest and back to her face. “I hear you’re teaching, now.”

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