Wrecking Us Saving You

by Leaona Luxx

  I give him time to rest and a couple of days later, we go fishing, surf fishing that is. We spend the afternoon, and into the evening, playing on the beach and fishing. I take him to the pier so we can cast our poles in from there. He loves every minute.

  After the late night, we spend a few days in bed, watching every superhero movie I can find. Eating late, sleeping later, we make the most of life. I take him on a shopping spree, allowing him to buy whatever he wants.

  Early Saturday morning, Sarah’s surprise arrives.

  “Chord, the door, babe.” I hide in the closet as she hurries down the stairs. “Chord? Have mercy.” She opens the door to a delivery driver.

  “Sarah?” Her eyes are wide.

  “Yes?”

  “This is for you.” He steps to the side to reveal a Land Rover Discovery in a gray metallic.

  She shakes her head. “This can’t be right.”

  “It is, I ordered it a little while ago. It’s yours when you’re ready for it.” She glances at it, then throws her arms and legs around me, kissing me everywhere.

  “Thanks, man.” The delivery guy laughs as he walks away. I shut the door, moving my hands to her perfect ass.

  A few days later, we head out to the backyard. The tent is set up and a fire already going. “Camp out, anyone?”

  “With smorwes?” Silas grins.

  “Yes and a wiener roast.”

  Sarah slides her arm around my waist. “I’m loving all of these living days.”

  “Good, cause we’re gonna do all the living we can fit in for as long as we can.”

  We spend the night star gazing, eating smores and hotdogs. Silas falls fast asleep between us in the middle of the tent we planned our life in together. After the camp out, we need to spend a few days just hanging out.

  “Are you ready?” I whisper to Silas.

  “Yes, are you surwe she knows?” His brows are pulled low.

  “Dude, I wouldn’t do you like that.”

  “My first date. Andi’s so pretty.” His eyes sparkle when he says her name.

  “I know that look, your dad gave me the same one at about the same age. No falling in love, you’re mine forever.” Sarah tweaks his side.

  Andi, Ava, and Riley walk through the door and Silas’ lopsided grin wins him a wave. I hold my hand out to Riley.

  “Thank you so much for this.”

  “Our pleasure.” Riley takes it with a smile.

  “This is simply the best thing ever.” Ava kisses my cheek.

  “Thanks for coming.” Sarah hugs Ava.

  “Come on, Andi. The movie is about to start.” Silas is a little wobbly, but when he loses his balance, Andi takes his hand.

  “I’ve got you, Si,” she says with a smile.

  My heart could burst. Seriously, he’s having the time of his life. They laugh through the entire movie, leaving best friends. More than I can ever ask for, it’s a perfect ending to the night.

  The weekend brings a nice surprise, we have a huge birthday party. And the weekend after that is Christmas. It’s our first together, and I plan to make it the best. We have so many more things to do, but this will be my favorite.

  On our way to my parents’ home, we’re beyond humbled to learn the town has come together to decorate for our son. Every house and storefront is filled with Christmas trees and signs for Silas.

  Sarah cries all the way there, making it hard for me to hold my shit together. Mom’s house is loaded to the hilt, she has lights on everything. Even Dad is wearing a sweater that lights up.

  “Merry Christmas!” we yell, walking through the door. Mom runs over, hugging Silas and me. She pulls Sarah in, holding her a tad bit longer than she did us. “What’s cookin’? Smells delicious.”

  “All your favorites, including sketti.” She holds Silas’ face in her hands.

  “Silas, Grandpa has a big surprise for you.” Dad takes him, walking to the family room.

  “Your family is still as amazing as ever,” Sarah says, leaning in to kiss me.

  “Our family, you’ve been here almost as long as me, and I often wonder if One wouldn’t pick you over me.”

  “I know Thayer would.” I press my lips to hers as we join our family.

  In the corner of the room, there’s a life size Thor cutout. Silas is beaming. “Daddy.” He points.

  “Oh, man. That’s gonna be killer in your room.” Dad sits him in his recliner, the chair no one’s allowed to use. Si is the king today.

  “We’re on for next weekend. Dad may have won the battle, but we’re gonna win the war.” One bumps my fist, laughing.

  “Seriously, look at that thing. I can’t allow Sarah to sleep in the room with him.” I cock my brow.

  “As long as I want your hammer, it doesn’t matter who gets me in the mood, does it?” Sarah waggles her brows.

  “Hell, yes.” I pout.

  She pulls me close. “Your hammer’s been the only one to ever nail me.”

  I grab her hips, holding her to me. “Fuck, you need to stop or you’re gonna get a Christmas surprise.”

  “Did you say you want my pie?”

  She snickers, but I get the last laugh, whispering, “I’d eat it all night long, baby.”

  “Sarah, are you sick? You just turned five shades red.” Thayer cackles.

  I sit on the floor by Silas, helping him open gifts from our family. He gets a Thor helmet and all the extras, a Panthers jersey with his favorite player’s number on it, a kid-sized four wheeler, and a new fishing rod, just to name a few.

  “We can play superheroes now, Dad.” Silas’ eyes sparkle when he grins.

  “All day long! And you have a jersey to wear for games too.”

  “I’m catching all the fish next time too.” His eyes are wide.

  I stretch my arms out. “This big?” He shakes his head. “Oh, this big!” I open my arms as wide as they’ll go, and he nods wildly. His little face is lit with color in his cheeks, something we haven’t seen in a while.

  He tires easily, and our family settles in so he can rest. We watch as Lath pops the big question to his girlfriend, Ryver, and she says yes. Lea cries as One holds her; it’s wonderful they get to experience these things.

  “We’re gonna have weddings galore next year.” Mom smiles, holding her heart.

  And yet, here I sit, still single as hell. “What?” Sarah asks.

  I scan the room, looking back at her. “What, what?”

  “That look, you were frowning.”

  “More like, scowling,” Thayer quips.

  I shake my head. “Thinking.”

  “About?” Sarah prompts.

  I sigh, rubbing my neck. “I had hoped we’d be married by now. It’s okay we’re not, but I was hoping.”

  Her eyes roam. “Yeah, I know.” She officially puts an end to wedding talk.

  We gather Silas’ things, and One helps me to the car with the greater part of it. The rest my parents are bringing over tomorrow.

  “So are you going to tell me what’s up, or do I need to wrestle it out?” One narrows his eyes.

  I shove my hands in my pockets, throwing my head back to stare at the stars. “If she loves me, why not marry me?”

  “You know she loves you.” He pins me with a glare.

  I release a heavy breath. “I know, I just want us married. Besides, I could’ve already been on his birth certificate if we were.”

  “Does she know that?” One’s brows knit.

  I roll my shoulders. “Yeah, she knows. Listen, I know things are fucked up right now, but it’s not like we can’t do it in our backyard even. I don’t know.”

  One places his hand on my shoulder. “Keep your focus on Silas, the rest will work out.”

  “He’s ready,” Sarah calls from the door.

  “Hang in there.” One slaps me on the back. “Chord, I’m proud of you.”

  “Thanks, brother.” He follows me through the door. I pick Silas up, and he gets his twins. “Later, Captain VonWoods.�
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  Walking out the door, I find Sarah by the SUV. Her head down, she doesn’t look at me when she opens the door.

  I buckle Silas in, kissing his head. “He may be the most beautiful boy, I’ve ever seen.”

  “Yeah, he’s his father.” Sarah sighs.

  “I was just thinking how much he looks like you.”

  The drive home is quiet. I think we both know we’re on borrowed time. Once home, I take Silas to bed, finding Sarah in the living room.

  “The lights on the tree with the fire are breathtaking,” she murmurs as I enter the room.

  I sit with a sigh. “Yes, it is. Too bad we don’t have snow.”

  “Chord?” I turn to Sarah, she’s staring out the window. “Is that?”

  I hurry to the door, swinging it wide. I walk in wonder to the middle of our yard, in the snow. “Wow.”

  “It’s beautiful.” Sarah spins in the light flurries as they fall to the ground.

  I take my phone out, turning on the music. Jon Langston serenades us with When It Comes to Loving You. “May I have this dance?” Holding out my hand.

  Her eyes flash to mine, glistening. She gives me her hand, the way she has so many times before. “Always.”

  I pull her to me, spinning around. She lays her head on my shoulder as we sway to the sound of our hearts beating. In this moment, we are nothing more than Sarah and Chord.

  The following weekend, we pack up and head into town. I have huge plans for this day. Pulling up at The Myrtle Beach Sports Center, Sarah’s head spins to face me.

  “What do you have planned?” Her jaw drops.

  “Everything.” I smile, sliding from the seat.

  We walk in to find all our family and friends. I set Silas up and get ready for our first adventure.

  “What are we doing today, Dad?” he asks with the sweetest smile that warms my cold soul.

  “First up, baseball and then a little football. And later, if you feel up to it, a big surprise.”

  “I’ll feel like it.” He nods with a lopsided grin.

  “If you don’t, there’s always tomorrow.” My breath hitches as I say it, knowing it may not be true. I place a baseball helmet on his head.

  “Baseball first, who are we playing?” he asks.

  “Uncle One, Uncle Hardy, the boys and our friends are here to make teams.” I point to the growing crowd. “You even have your own cheering section.”

  “How in the world did you get this planned?” Sarah’s eyes match Silas’, big and round.

  “Our family, we rented the place out and have it for as long as he wants.” I shrug, as I push Silas to the makeshift baseball field.

  A few rounds at bat, fielding, and a run of the bases, Silas’ laughter means the world to me. A homerun and catching an out, we move on. We play touch football, leaving him cackling as the older guys get into the game and really crank it up.

  A few plays later, Silas has an interception, a touchdown, and a quarterback sack. He’s having the time of his life, but it’s not even close to being over. I save the best for last—we’re making a movie.

  The camera crew comes in, setting up to follow the action. Everyone taking part hurries to change. Silas won’t say it, but he’s getting tired; that’s why I made everything as short but full as possible.

  When Walker steps into the room, Sarah gasps. She slowly stands, hand over her mouth. She stares, her eyes filling with tears. I step around him, carrying Silas’ Thor gear.

  “Silas, I know this will make us have two Thor’s, but would you do us the honor of joining The Avengers?” His eyes alight, he shakes his head.

  “Yes, Captain America.” We have them all, me and Thor, The Hulk, Iron Man, and even The Black Widow. Better known as Aunt Thayer.

  “Let’s make our own superhero movie.”

  And for the next hour, that’s what we do. Silas’ face says all anyone needs to know as we roleplay and they film it. He is a superhero for life. And now, so are our family and friends.

  Laying Silas in bed, I snuggle him down after his bath. He looks up at me, his eyes twinkling. “Thank you, Daddy. Today was the best day ever.”

  I lean down, pressing my lips to his forehead. “You’re so welcome, Silas. Thank you for being mine.”

  “Do we have any more adventures?” he asks with a furrowed brow.

  “We do, but we can’t tell Mom. She’s gonna freak on the next one.” I rub my nose on his, making him giggle.

  “I can’t wait.” He throws his little arms around my neck. My stomach knots at the thought of never having another moment like this with him.

  After Silas rests for a few days, I take him and Sarah on our next adventure. I pull into the lot as One steps from the car. A cruiser with a real police officer.

  “What in the hell?” Sarah clutches her shirt.

  “Someone needs to make their driver’s license.” I wink. I jump from the SUV, taking the officer’s hand. “Thank you for this.”

  “My pleasure. No way could I resist when One explained the circumstance,” Officer Cook says.

  “Let’s do this.” One claps his hands.

  “He has no clue,” Sarah says at my side. “I can’t believe this, you think of everything.” I kiss her, running to Silas’ door. I don’t want to waste the officer’s time.

  “What are we doing?” Silas cocks his head.

  “You’re going to make your driver’s license.” His eyes are huge. “Give a few to practice and we’ll be ready.”

  One helps me set the seat back, and he takes Silas until I’m settled then sitting him between my legs. I work the peddles as he turns the wheel, practicing in the empty store parking lot.

  We give them a thumbs up when we’re ready. “Let’s do this.”

  The officer hops in, instructing us where to go and when. Silas’ tongue hangs out as he navigates the cones One set up, and he parallel parks. We sent Officer Cook a picture of Silas, and he pulled a few strings and got a fake license made.

  After our course, he announces that Silas has passed. “Congratulations, you are now a licensed driver. Be safe on the roads.” He hands Silas his card with a smile.

  “Thank you, officerw.” Silas beams.

  “You’re welcome.”

  “I did it, Dad. Now, I can drive Momma around,” he yells.

  Sarah laughs with One. “You’ve created a monster.”

  “I have something special for this weekend, so there ya go.” I point to the SUV pulling in.

  “What’s going on?” Sarah quirks her brow.

  “Go buy a nice dress, and you’ll find out this weekend.”

  “Come on, I have credit cards and cash, we could go to New York and shop all day,” Lea says from the window. One jogs over, kissing her.

  Sarah saunters over to me, stepping up on the rails. “I love you.” She presses her lips to mine, to Silas’ chagrin.

  “Ughh, people. Y’all are always kissing.” He makes a gagging noise, making us all laugh.

  “Go on, I’m taking One and Silas home.” She leans in, kissing Silas.

  “Later.” I watch as that fine ass walks away from me, but Lea catches my attention.

  “What?” I plaster on my sly grin.

  She shakes her head. “You spend too much time with your brother.”

  “We know fine art when we see it.”

  “Nothing wrong with showing an appreciation for quality.” One smirks.

  “Oh, lawd. Y’all go on, we’re going shopping.” Lea waves as she drives off.

  “Shew, my heart.” I lay my hand over my chest.

  “I heard that, mine doesn’t beat without Hadlea.” One smiles warmly.

  “Alright, buddy. Let’s get you buckled in.”

  “Please let me drive home,” Silas’ begs. One’s brows shoot up.

  “We could go the back way home.” He smirks.

  “You tell your mother and I’m dead meat.” I start the SUV, and we pull out onto the side street.

  Silas, O
ne, and I have the best trip home. It took us thirty minutes longer but was so worth it. The smile on Silas’ face when One gave him a high-five for getting us home was priceless.

  “So, no one knows where we’re going or no one’s telling me?” I step out, checking my off white tulle skirt in the mirror. Turning, I adjust my silver sweater.

  “You’re gorgeous,” Thayer says from the door.

  “Thank you. Do you think Chord will like it?”

  She quirks her lip. “I think you’re good.”

  There’s a limo waiting on us at the door when we leave the house. Elise, Lea, Thayer and myself enjoy a little champagne and strawberries on the way to wherever it is we’re going.

  When the car stops, the door opens to a building with a red carpet. We celebrated New Year’s last week, so what can this be? I’m the last one through the doors to be greeted by my two main squeezes.

  “Well hello, beautiful.” Chord leans in to kiss me, dressed in a three-piece gray suit, fitted perfectly to his toned body.

  A rose pops up between us. “Dad, this is my night.” Silas rolls his eyes. I realize he matches us, in a gray vest and slacks.

  “Excuse me.” Elise takes Chord’s arm. He gives me his boyish grin, and I melt. They walk ahead, leaving me with Silas.

  “Shall we?” Silas says. “I’m not sure what that means, Dad said I should say it.”

  “It means, let’s go.” I turn his wheel chair around, pushing him through the last set of doors.

  A banner hangs high next to the stage, ‘Mother Son Dance’. There’s a band playing and tables are set up. He set up a dance for me and Silas. I search the room and spotting him, I rush to him.

  My eyes blurry with tears, I wrap my arms around him. Clutching him to me, my chest heaves. His love fills me up, more than any words ever spoken. He holds me tightly against him.

  When I gather myself enough to speak, I lean back, gazing into his gorgeous blue eyes. “I love you. I’ve never known a love like yours. Thank you.” Tears run down my face as his mouth takes mine.

  “You blow me away.” He swings me around, making my body feel the way my heart does.