by HJ Bellus
“Yeah.”
“It’s going to have a mom and dad. I won’t. I’ll never have parents. They didn’t love me enough.”
A creaking sound fills the room and I know State’s behind us in the doorway, but he remains silent.
“I don’t have parents. It’s not the fact our parents didn’t love us, it’s that they made poor choices.”
“Poor choices suck.”
“Hey, look at me.” I raise her chin with my pointer finger. “Poor choices do suck, but we would’ve never become family if they didn’t.”
She shrugs again. Her sad heart is killing me. State joins us on the floor and grabs her other hand.
“Baylor and I love you so much. Rowe, you’re number one in our world and always will be. You are my kid.”
She doesn’t look up at us. I look at State and nod to him. We’ve had plans of adopting her, but never knew when to bring it up.
“We want to tell you something, but I need to see those pretty little eyes.”
She looks up at him. The girl would walk on water for him.
“We’d like to adopt you. Do you know what that means?”
“Kind of,” she replies.
“I want to give you my last name and be in your life forever.”
“So, I’d be Rowe Blake.”
We both nod.
“And you’d kind of be like my mom and dad.”
“No.” State shakes his head. “We would be your mom and dad. It will be your choice to call us whatever you’d like, but we’d be an official family forever.”
She leaps between our bodies hugging both of our necks.
“I love you guys more than Pop Tarts.”
“We love you, too,” I tell her.
State and Rowe ensue in one final wrestling match on the floor of her bedroom, before we all join hands and walk through the house. We all silently say our good-byes before piling into State’s car.
We’ve decided to road trip it across America to our new home in Denver, Colorado. There will be lots of firsts, memories, and laughs to cherish forever.
Rowe buckles up in the back without a fuss, as we settle in the front. A few tears roll down my cheeks.
“It’s okay, Queen.” He squeezes my hand. “It will be ours forever. It’s just a piece of our past we get to cherish.”
“Thank you for everything, State.”
He begins driving down the road. I watch the only state I’ve ever lived in, pass by me. An hour into the drive and my bladder is throbbing.
“Are we almost there yet? I’m bored. I have to pee,” Rowe announces from the backseat.
“What were you thinking?” State asks through a chuckle.
Epilogue
State’s mom was right about one thing. I never finished earning my degree. I’m not bitter about it because it’s simple, my life is sweeter than any career I thought I could ever have.
It took all of us a good six months to adjust to life in Denver. I love it here. It’s like my soul was destined to be here. We’re close enough to the mountains for a getaway and have tons of opportunities surrounding us.
Martha, myself, and State run a boys and girls club in the off-season. It’s called, “Tami’s” and is a place for young boys and girls from all walks of life to spend time. We help with homework, hand out food, and encourage their dreams. State’s mom and I run it most of the time during football season and then State joins us in the offseason. The kids absolutely adore State.
“Baby, are you ready?” I look up at State dressed for a day at the park.
“I sure am.” I hop from the bed and sneak a few gropes of my man. It’s become harder to get private time with our demanding schedules. I never thought it would be possible, but he’s gotten bigger over the years.
Before we get out of control, we both walk downstairs to find Liam and Rowe rolling around on the ground.
Yes, we have a beautiful baby boy who is a complete handful just like his father. He’s a miniature version of State. Liam has always been off the growth charts. We named him Liam because of its meaning — resolute defender.
“Park time,” I announce when I enter the living room.
Rowe and Liam are up on their feet running for the door. Willy, our adopted dog races right behind them. He’s a rescue dog, small, and came to us broken and battered. Willy is now an official part of our family. He goes everywhere with us and even complies to being dressed up as a princess. Liam use to cooperate as well, but now that’s he three-years old he resists a bit more.
The little man of the house adores his collection of footballs. Just like his daddy, he was born with a love for the game. I’m not sure how I’ll ever be able to handle my little boy on the field. Rowe has developed my momma bear claw and little Liam has sharpened them.
Rowe and Liam walk hand in hand down the sidewalk, with Willy ahead of them. State and I follow close behind, also hand in hand. The large red picnic tote swings on his shoulder. He plays the sexy dad role very well. The other mothers at the park always appreciate the view and I only laugh, knowing he’s all mine.
“Mom,” Rowe hollers.
“Yeah, princess.”
“Can we go?”
“Go for it.” I wave with my free hand.
Our two kids, and of course Willy, race into the park heading for their favorite play structure. State and I find our perfect piece of grass, and lie out the blanket and ready the snacks.
I lay down first and then feel his body press up against mine. It’s as good as a date night in this moment.
“You’re on Willy poop patrol,” State murmurs in my neck.
“Two blowjobs?”
“Deal.”
I roll over and kiss him lightly. “Life is good, man cub.”
“It’s perfect.”
“No pink or blue mansions.” I lick his bottom lip.
“Nope, but a blue house with light pink trim.”
I laugh at the statement because it’s true as hell. State and I made sure we lived out our childhood fantasy. “You’re my everything, State Blake.”
“And I’ll never get tired of calling you Baylor Blake.”
His lips graze mine. I open up for him to devour my mouth. My man does it on command and just like the first time, I melt into him. It happens every time and I know it will be like that forever.
“Dad,” Rowe hollers in the distance.
We both sit up to see her waving her arms in the air.
“Liam is peeing on the slide.”
Our vision darts over to the tall yellow slide to see Liam peeing off the top of it.
“That’s all yours,” I giggle.
State’s up on his feet, jogging over to our son. He swoops him from the top of the slide, kneels down on one knee, and gives him a speech. Liam bows his head taking in his father’s speech. State has the perfect knack for handling both kids with gentle care. He ruffles the top of his crazy black hair, before pulling Liam’s favorite football from his pocket.
It’s a miniature neon orange version of his dad’s football. They begin playing catch and running a few plays. It’s eerily creepy how well the boy throws and catches a football at the age of three.
Rowe walks over to me, so I sit up and hold up my arms. She sits in my lap, relaxing her head back on my shoulder. I rock her side-to-side and kiss her temple. Rowe has her heart set on becoming a fashion designer, and I have no doubt my strong girl will become the best one in the world with her signature princess dresses.
“I love this life,” she says, lacing her pinky in mine.
“Me, too.”
THE END
Acknowledgments
These characters were a blast to develop. Their journey is truly heart-warming and inspiring. I want to thank all of you for taking a chance on this book. Your support means the world. Thank you from the bottom of my country-girl heart!
Love,
HJB
HJ Bellus
HJ Bellus is a small town girl who loves th
e art of storytelling. When not making readers laugh or cry, she's a part-time livestock wrangler that can be found in the middle of Idaho, shot gunning a beer while listening to some Miranda Lambert on her Beats and rocking out in her boots.
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