Page 77 of The Family Man

“Hey, princess, talk to me.”

Snot hangs from her cute nose. “Are you going to give us away?”

“What! No never?” I rock her slowly.

“You are getting a new kid, so you are going to throw us away. WE HAVE NOWHERE TO GO,” she cries. I swear she is 6 going on 40.

I see the edge of a black Converse by the door. “Come in, Nik.”

Nik pokes his head in and shuffles into the room. I lift him onto the other side of my lap. “You two listen.”

Poppy leans into me and nods. “I love you more than anything in this whole wide world.”

“More than Mishka?” my son asks. He is obsessed with our dog.

I nod and kiss his forehead. “More than anything.”

“What about this baby,” Poppy asks as she plays with the buttons on my shirt.

Sage walks in “We will love this baby too.”

She sits to the side of me, as expected my son reaches for her and she pulls him to her.

“I couldn’t ask for a better big brother and sister than you two.” She kisses Nik’s forehead.

“Really?” Poppy asks.

“Really. You two are smart, loving, sweet. I’m so proud to be your new mommy. I love you two,” Sage says.

Nik smiles. “I love you, too, Ma.”

“I have a question, Ma,” Poppy asks. “Why do you pray so loudly in the morning?”

I look across at Sage and her reaction is as clueless as mine. “What you mean, princess?”

“This morning you were praying hard. OH GOD, OH GOD!” Nik closes his eyes and bows head like he is praying.

“Want us to pray now with you?” Poppy asked, her face full of concern.

“No, baby, mommy’s prayers were answered this morning,” I try to hold my laugh in.

“Daddy are you sure? Because then she said, ‘Oh, Jesus!’”

“Aunt Rosie said don’t call the Lord’s name in vain Ma,” Nikhil adds.

I can’t hold it in. I begin to laugh. Sage gives me a side eye.

Poppy is repeating “Oh Jesus” She is waiting on Sage to give her an answer. Sage looks like she is dying on the inside.

“HOW ABOUT A STORY FROM DADDY?” Sage screams over our antics.

“Yes, Daddy.” Poppy is instantly distracted.

“Please, Daddy,” Nik pleads.

I look at my wife and hold her hand kissing it, loving the family we created. I whisper I love you to her.

“One story and back downstairs. Promise.”

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