Page 89 of Mr. Wolfe's Nanny

When most people think about entering a serious romantic relationship, they’re generally thinking about themselves and their partner, first and foremost. It’s not that simple when one or both of you are already a parent. But if we’re to be partners, we’ll be partners in everything, including parenting.

“Where are we going?” Ryder asks from the backseat where he’s joined by his sister and Marilyn.

“For ice cream and a walk,” his father answers.

“There’s some woodpeckers who live near this pond we’re going to. I thought we might try sketching them in their natural habitat,” I add.

I breathe through the nervousness I’m feeling. I hope this doesn’t turn into a confrontation but, if it does, I’ll face it with Theo and we’ll do our best to ease the kids into things. For better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, we’ll be together.

There’s ice cream in the freezer at home but the kids love all that variety a shop offers. Plus, Ryder and Jill both love animals and drawing. We might walk away with new art for the fridge, my classroom or Theo’s home office if The Talk goes well.

We stop for ice cream first, at the same little place where we’d gone after the awards banquet back in November. I choose the hot cocoa they offer this time of year with some whipped cream, Theo gets a double scoop of Rocky Road. Jill wants lime sherbet because“It’s my favorite shade of green!”and Ryder talks his way into a banana split.

Oh, and Marilyn gets a canine-friendly treat thatlookslike what her family is enjoying and has peanut butter in it. “It's love at first lick,” I say, grinning at the dog.

“Don’t give me ideas with the kids here,” Theo murmurs in my ear.

“Theo!”

A short while later, we’re watching whatever birds are brave enough for Chicago’s winter. Marilyn sits faithfully by our side though her tail thumps excitedly every time a bird hops close. The kids are busy sketching despite some sticky ice cream hands.

My gloved hand rests on the wooden picnic table and Theo, slowly and purposefully, takes off my glove, revealing the ring. Then, he takes it in his, leaving our joined hands in plain view. He scoots a little closer on our side of the bench and I allow myself to relax against him, ever so slightly. Nothing feels more right than this closeness as I relish his scent, strength and warmth. I pray the children won’t react badly.

Jill, our less studious-minded artist, is the first to finish. Her head pops up and her mouth is already opening to tell us something about her drawing when her eyes land on our hands.

She’s a bit of a wildcard in this equation. I think she’ll be happy, as happy as an almost seven-year-old might be for two grownups who fell in love, but she was also the one who was putting her mother’s picture back in its old place in her father’s bedroom until Theo spoke to her about it. What will she think?

“Daddy, why are you holding Ms. Quinn’s hand?”

“Because I like holding Quinn’s hand,” Theo answers, matter-of-factly. The advice we’ve heard is to be honest and positive so we’re going with that.

Ryder’s slower to react but, when he sets his colored pencil down and looks at our hands, he doesn’t appear upset. He shrugs to himself and picks up another colored pencil. I let go of the breath I was holding.

Jill turns her attention to me. “Do youlikemy daddy holding your hand, Ms. Quinn?”

The frank suspicion in her tone nearly makes me laugh. “Yes, I do.”

She scrunches up her nose for a moment and then giggles, “Okay,” just as her brother’s eyes fill with mischief.

“He likeskissingher, too,” he stage-whispers to his sister.

Jill’s eyes grow wide as saucers as she turns towards her brother, flummoxed. “He does? You do?!”

I can feel Theo’s body shaking with repressed laughter beside me as he nods and says, “Yeah, I do, baby. And, actually there’s some other things Quinn and I wanted to talk to you both about…”

∞∞∞

Three weeks after the successful Talk with the children, we’ve been invited to dinner at Theo’s parents’ house with his brothers and Mia. Isa’s coming along, too, and bringing Alex with her. The talk pre-dinner revolves around our upcoming marriage plans in early April when school will be out for spring break. I’ll move back into the house officially at that time. As much as the time at my sister’s has been good in some ways, I can’t wait to go home. And, it’ll really bemyhome, too.

We’re planning an elopement which may sound strange for something that, historically, was more spur-of-the-moment. I just know I couldn’t handle a huge wedding.

I can see Margaret, quivering like a setter on a duck, ready to make suggestions though. She wouldloveto help us plan an extravagant wedding. Maybe we should run to the courthouse while Michael has her down in Cabo? No, I can’t do that to Mom.Mom. For so long, I felt like my sister was all I had. And now? I’ve got a really big family. Which will expand this fall.

“My daddy’s going to marry Ms. Quinn… I mean, Quinn, Uncle Oliver.”

“I know, kiddo. I’m happy for them.”

I peek around the corner where Jill has her uncle cornered for a game of pool while everyone else is mingling with drinks. She’s shooting so he currently has her lifted up where she can reach the ball with her cue stick. It’s too adorable for words.

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