Page 115 of Husband of the Year
Heat flashes across my face and I quickly cover it with my hand.
“Here’s to Marvin and Olan. And Illona and Isabella and baby Gregory. May you all be happy and healthy for many, many years.”
“Hear! Hear!” Ruth shouts and everyone toasts.
During dinner, Greggie gets passed around like a collection plate, everyone taking a turn holding him. When Theo holds him, the baby somehow appears even smaller, and when Greggie fusses, my mom hands Theo a bottle, and with no direction, he feeds him. As Sheldon watches his boyfriend feed the baby, a look of pure adoration lights up his face. I know that look. Perhaps their family might grow beyond fur babies someday?
When I notice Illona poking at her mashed potatoes, I lean down and whisper, “Hey, can you come here for a second?”
She’s going to be too big for laps soon, but right now, she gladly hops on, wrapping her arms around my neck.
“How are you?” I ask.
“Fine. I don’t like the potatoes, though. They’re spicy.”
“Yeah, I think it’s wasabi. They’re trying to be fancy.”
“Why can’t potatoes just be potatoes?”
“I couldn’t agree more.” I pull her closer, and she rests her head on my chest. “But you’re okay otherwise?”
She nods. “I know I should be smiling more, but I am happy. I’ve been waiting for you and Daddy to get married forever and now you’ve finally done it and I guess I’m a little overwhelmed is all. Is that weird?”
“No, sweetie. It’s not weird at all. I totally understand.” I pull herclose and whisper into her ear, “You just remember how loved you are. By everyone around this table.”
She grips me so tightly, I worry she’ll crush me, but I wouldn’t even mind. I squeeze her back, holding the back of her neck.
“Okay, I’ll just not eat the potatoes.”
“Totally fine,” I say.
“One more thing.” Her bright eyes peer up at me. How did I get so damn lucky to have the universe bring this child into my life? “Now that you and Daddy are married, maybe I should call you something else… besides Marvin.”
As I utter the word, “Oh,” I feel goose bumps spread across my skin and tears welling up. “Well, what did you have in mind?”
“I’ve been making lists in my journal. But nothing seemed right.” That’s why she’s been so invested in her writing lately. “Then I talked to Courtney on the playground this week. She has two dads too, and she calls one ‘daddy’ and the other ‘papa’ and maybe I could call you that?”
The words get stuck in my throat and I do my best to swallow past the massive lump.
“You want to call me Papa?”
“Only if you wanted.”
“Illona. Nothing would make me happier.”
She wraps her arms around my neck again, burying her face, and whispers, “I love you, Papa.”
And now I’m crying. Not just a few tears, but full-on sobbing. This day has truly been filled with overwhelming emotions. Deep breaths. Hold it together.
“Why are you crying?” Illona pulls back, her eyes wide.
“I’m just on cloud nine.”
“Me too.”
She gives me a quick kiss on the cheek, hops off my lap, and returnsto her seat next to her mother. I see her explaining our conversation and Isabella gives her an enormous hug. My God, I’m blessed.
As I take in the scene before me, I am overcome with emotion. All these people, here on a Friday night with only a few days’ notice, are my family. Not only my mother. Not only Olan now, legally my family. But my friends. My husband’s former spouse—now my friend. I’ve managed to surround myself with the most amazing, caring people. They’re all my family now.
