Page 100 of Pieces of Us
“Are you ready, Daddy?” Now that Millie’s here, I let Mel’s use of the nickname slip by every once in a while.
Mel clicks the last buckle on the car seat. Millie is tucked in under a purple blanket that Gigi bought her. Convenient that it has “I love my aunt” stitched in one corner.
We were told that when NICU babies leave, we’ll put the carrier in a little red wagon and a nurse will walk with us, pulling the wagon, to leave. So, when the nurse arrives with the wagon, I place the carrier inside, and we head downstairs. Mel’s beside me on her crutches, and nothing about this moment is what I thought it would be.
But maybe it’s better.
I thought I had grown and changed over the past year—giving up old ways, blending my life with an incredible woman who is completely out of my league, and learning that I can be a good partner. But my life took another turn when I got that phone call. It was at that moment that I had to become steady. I had to quiet all the other noise and focus. I had to be strong for the two people that I would risk it all for.
I think I became the man I want to be at that moment.
I see the change in Mel, too. She lets me care for her, she’s allowing me to pick up the slack, and she’s thriving as a mom. I see the change in her face, in her demeanor, when she has Millie in her arms. She’s filled with love and devotion. It’s amazing to watch.
We’ve thrown around the term “group project” so many times, it’s become our mantra. As I buckle Millie into the back seat of the car and help Mel into the seat beside her, I know right now I’m the leader. But there will be times when I’ll follow Mel, when she guides us. An exchange of power that we’re comfortable with, because we trust each other.
Once we’re home, I open the door to our apartment and see all the faces of the people who love us. The faces of the families we were born into and the family that we found. There are hugs, fist bumps, laughter, tears, and I soak it in.
I take Millie out of the carrier and hand her to Marcus. I was right. Millie won him over from the start. Gigi stands next to him, giving Millie her index finger to hold. Gigi is talking to Mel, but Marcus can’t take his eyes off of her. I hope she realizes at some point what she’s missing out on when it comes to him. And I hope Marcus eventually grows the balls to go after the woman that he wants. He deserves love and a safe place to land, just as much as Gigi deserves to be loved by a good man like Marcus.
I’m standing and watching the room full of happy chaos, and Jax comes to stand next to me.
“We’re really lucky,” he says with a grin.
“We are.”
“These women have turned us into men. I’m not sure we even saw it coming.”
“They have. Wouldn’t change it for anything.”
I cross the room to where Mel sits on the couch. My mom stands so I can sit. I take Mel’s hand, and she gives me a smile.
Marcus returns Millie to me, and I hold her to me tightly. I place my free hand on Mel’s thigh, and I know I’m right where I’m meant to be—held captive by the love I feel for the woman beside me and the little girl in my arms.
I lean toward Mel and whisper, “I want five more of these.”
Her eyes dart to mine. “Five?”
“Or however many more you’ll give me.”
“How about three. Total.”
“I guess I can settle for three.”
“Only on one condition.”
“Name it.”
Her eyes light up, and she gives me a mischievous grin. “You have to let me call you Daddy.”
“Shit.”
“Your choice.”
Millie yawns, and she purses her lips. Somehow, I believe she’s using her cuteness to help with her mother’s cause.
“Deal.”
Epilogue
