Page 74 of DadBod
“She did?” Calvin’s voice sounds a little rough now.
“She did. She would reach over and touch Ryann over the table and laugh at things your sister was saying.”
“She really loved us.”
“Like I said, I only met her a few times, and she always, always did that sort of thing. The sort of thing a mom does when she loves her kids more than anything in this world.”
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
“She really loved us.” Calvin must feel the need to confirm this again.
“She did.”
Calvin sniffles. “I miss her.”
“I know you do, sweetheart. I’m sorry. But remember, she’s always in here.” In the mirror, I watch Elizabeth pat his chest. “In your heart, little man. She’s here, and she’ll always be there.”
He’s not going to get that part, but I think my daughter will. Glancing at her, I expect to see some tears running down her cheek, but I see the opposite. She’s angry. More than angry. The second she knows I’m looking, she runs up the stairs. When her door slams above us, I know the other two will hear.
“Hey, Dad.”
He’s standing in the open doorway of Elizabeth’s room.
“You went running?”
“I did.” Running my own hand through his hair, I wince. “When was the last time you showered?”
“Um…” He taps his chin. “The other day.”
“The other day?” That could mean yesterday, or it could mean last week. Honestly, I can’t remember the last time I made him shower.
“It’s been a few days.” Elizabeth appears behind him, and my throat nearly closes at the sight of her fresh out of bed in the pajamas I bought for her. They’re pale blue with white flowers all over them. And soft. The second I touched them, I wanted them for her.
“Go on, Cal. Go take a shower.”
“Come on, Dad. It’s summer.” So whiny.
“And wash your hair.”
“Fine.”
My son stomps off into his room, slamming his door as he goes. My eyes haven’t left Elizabeth, though. Taking a step closer, she looks up at me with big, sleepy eyes. “I heard what you just said to my son.”
“You did?”
I move another step closer.
“About their mom.”
“Oh. I’m sorry. Did I…?”
Shaking my head, I move in one more step until I’m an inch from her. Placing my finger beneath her chin, I nudge it up until she’s looking at me. I hear a gasp.
“Thank you.”
“For what?” I can feel her breathing now.
I don’t know if I can put into words what I’m trying to say, so I do what I’ve wanted to do for over two years. I lean in close and kiss her. Not her forehead. Her plump, pink lips. It’s a simple kiss. Soft. If she knew how I really felt about that mouth of hers, she’d probably run screaming from the house.