Page 76 of Love Is Ale You Need

“Okay.” She sprints into the living room and jumps on the couch.

I follow behind and take a seat next to Abby. The cushion depresses next to me as Trey sits. “What we wanted to talk to you about is… When two people are…” Why is this so hard? I peer over my shoulder at Trey, hoping he has the words I can’t seem to find. He just shrugs. I turn toward Abby. “When two people are… together, they do adult things.”

Trey chuckles next to me. He leans in, bumping my shoulder, and speaks softly out of the corner of his mouth. “Give her the ice cream.”

I’m failing at this parenting thing right now. Just spit it out. “What I’m trying to say is… you’re going to be a big sister.”

Abby doesn't move a muscle, which is completely out of the ordinary for her. Dammit. She hates me and will spend the rest of her life revolting against me.

Trey jumps off the couch, races into the kitchen, and snatches the balloon and teddy bear off the counter. When he returns to the living room, he deposits them in front of Abby. “We even got you a balloon to celebrate the occasion.”

Abby eyes the balloon for a few seconds, then lifts her gaze to me. “Where do babies come from?”

Next to me, Trey stretches his arm over the back of the couch and leans toward me. “Stork. Go with stork,” he mumbles.

I nudge him with my elbow. “Well, when two adults are together. They do things… Sciencey things.” The cushion next to me vibrates as Trey’s body convulses with silent laughter. Screw it. We’re doing this Trey’s way. “Two adults get together… and… wait for the stork to deliver the baby.”

“Doesn’t the baby live in your tummy?” Abby tilts her head.

A bead of sweat forms on my brow. I can give birth to the kid, yet I can’t explain to her where they come from. “Yes. The baby’s home will be in my belly until the stork comes.”

“Okay. Do I have to share my toys?” Her big hazel eyes peer up at me.

“You might have to share, yes.”

“Do I have to share my room?”

“It will be a little while until we need to figure that out.”

“Give her the ice cream,” Trey whispers.

“How about we have some ice cream?”

“Yay! Ice cream!” Abby leaps off the couch and runs into the kitchen.

“I’ll be right there,” I call over my shoulder.

“Sciencey things?” Trey sits up, resting his elbows on his knees. “I have to admit, science with you is my favorite kind of science.”

I drop my head to his shoulder. “I choked.”

“If you ask me, it didn’t go so bad. No kicking and screaming. Also, the bedroom thing… you two can always move in with me. I have lots of room.”

I flash him a small smile. “Let’s focus on one thing at a time for now.”

“Mommy!” Abby yells from the kitchen.

“But first ice cream.” I rise from the couch and stroll into the kitchen, with Trey close behind. The three of us sit at the new table as Trey and I dodge more questions from Abby about how babies are made.

TWENTY-SIX

MOODY SIX-YEAR-OLDS

Trey

I cut the ignition of my SUV in front of a playground and stare out the windshield as a group of kids run from the swings to the slide several feet away. It’s been years since I’ve been to a playground. Probably since I was a kid. But also, I’m a grown adult, I shouldn’t be hanging out around playgrounds without a kid. I scan the area for anyone lurking around who might be kid-less and suspicious. Luckily, I have a kid in the backseat.

Rylee had to go to work, so I told her I would spend the day with Abby to practice the parenting shit. Plus, it’ll come in handy if I ever play stepdad. Thanks, Miles, for implanting that into my head. Spending time with my chipmunk is never a chore. We have a good time, except when we play Pretty Pretty Princess. I swear she hides fake necklaces up her sleeves. I vetoed that right away.

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