Page 43 of You’re Mine

“I promise, Mom lets me have ice cream for breakfast,” my son wheedles. “She gave me a big,” he stretches out his hands, “bowl and filled it up.” While he technically isn’t lying, he’s definitely bending the truth. There’s a bowl, but it’s about a quarter of the size he’s describing.

Jace merely grins.

“I don’t know little dude. Why don’t you let me make you something? I’ve gotten pretty good with the frying pan.” He twists the pan he has in hand around. Jamie looks a little disappointed, but nods.

“Okay, but can you make pancakes?” The excitement is back in his voice.

“I can, but you are going to have to help me.”

“What do I do?”

Jamie scrambles off his chair in excitement.

“I’ll show you.” Jace pulls out ingredients and places them in front of our son. “So, we need flour, eggs, butter, milk, salt, baking powder, and sugar. Plus, some chocolate chips for added fun.”

I feel kind of like a creeper just standing here, so I enter the kitchen with a smile.

“Good morning, everyone.” The both look at me.

“Hi Mommy!”

“Hey, baby. Did you sleep well?” I nod. It’s the best sleep I’ve had in years.

“What are you guys doing?”

Jace grins.

“Well, this little guy was hungry for some breakfast, so I said I’d make him some pancakes.”

“And I get to help!” Jamie is so excited to help. Back in South Carolina, he rarely got this animated. Most of the time, my little boy was a quiet shadow, and it broke my heart. Now maybe, he can come out of his shell and unfurl his wings a bit. Plus, the fact that he and his dad have connected so quickly gives me so much hope for our little family.

“Well, that sounds fun. It’s going to be really yummy.” I take a seat at the side of the counter and watch. Jace measures everything and has Jamie put it into the bowl. Of course, this causes a mess because our son drops it all. Flour splashes up from the bowl and sprinkles all over their bodies, and when this happens, Jamie gets a little nervous and shrinks into himself.

“I’m sorry.” There’s fear in his voice and my heart breaks. Jace hears it too and frowns, but then ruffles the little boy’s hair.

“Don’t worry, space cowboy. We can just clean this up when we’re done.” Jamie nods, but he still seems a little sad. “I mean,” Jace continues, “how do you know you’re having fun if there isn’t a little mess?” He picks up some flour and throws it my direction. I squeal when the powder hits me in the face, coughing a bit. I try to wipe it off, but it’s all over me.

“Oh my gosh,” Jamie whispers, but he’s smiling which is the important thing. Jace picks up another sprinkle of flour, and I think he’s going to douse me again, but, no, he drops it on our son’s head in a flurry.

“Ahhh!” Jamie yells with glee. He shakes his head, getting as much of it out as he can.

“Are you having fun, cowboy?” Jace rumbles. Clearly, he is because there’s never been a bigger smile on his face. “Good, but we better make some amazing pancakes. I don’t think your mom will be happy if we made this mess for no reason.” Jace fake whispers the last part, and my heart somersaults in my chest.

“Okay,” Jamie whispers back with a smile.

They continue making the batter, and this time Jamie’s not so worried when he has a little spill. My heart contracts, seeing how he’s already coming out of his shell. Leaving Lenville was the right thing to do, and it’s already paying dividends.

Soon, it’s time to turn on the heat. Jace sits Jamie on the counter far enough from the stove to keep him from getting burned, but close enough, so he can see. He has natural paternal instincts, and I smile through my tears. I thought he might need guidance, but the two of them are meshing so well.

There’s a tall stack of pancakes in no time. Jace hands Jamie a plate with a mound of fluffy golden circles, and Jamie chirps, “Thanks, Dad.”

My heart contracts. Oh my god, did that really happen? My eyes meet Jace’s eyes and he’s just as stunned, standing motionless by the stove. But our son doesn’t realize the earthquake he’s caused. He saunters over to the table, and drowns his pancakes in syrup like nothing’s wrong. Then he looks up at us, with a fork poised in one hand.

“Are you guys going to eat?”

That startles me into action.

“Yes, of course.” I get up from my seat and grab a plate for myself. Meanwhile, Jace also helps himself, and the three of us sit at the table to have our first family breakfast. Jamie gobbles everything down and is up for seconds like a lightning bolt. Meanwhile, I’m working on my first pancake and it’s absolutely delicious.

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