“I know what you mean. It seems crazy to think about going through pregnancy so many times, but I get why people do. Now Dale is here, if it’s this amazing each time, it could become an addiction.”
Danna laughs, her eyes sparkling in a way that tells me she’s already there. “There are worse things to be addicted to than having kids.”
“True.”
“Although my belly still hasn’t gone back to how it was before… to be honest, I don’t think it ever will. Add a few more pregnancies, and I think my body will be disagreeing.”
“I was worried about the stretch marks, but now I kind of look at them like an achievement. My body has done this amazing thing, and now Dale is out in the world, the little marks he left behind are kind of precious.”
Danna reaches out and takes my hand, giving it a squeeze. “You know, that is a beautiful way of looking at it.”
“Trey has a crazy positive outlook on life. He always manages to turn a negative into a positive. I’ve been learning from him.”
“That’s awesome, and that’s part of why living with so many partners is great. Each one brings something new to the relationship. If I’m down, I know who to go to. If I need advice, I might choose someone else to confide in. If I need cuddles and no questions, it’ll be someone else. And if I need a challenge, I’ll choose another.”
“It’s true. They are all so different, and that’s what makes being together so amazing.”
I smile over at my boys, who fill this house and my heart with so much joy.
Later in the afternoon, Mom shows up with an oversized elephant for Dale and a bunch of flowers for me. It’s not the first time she’s visited since he was born, but it is the first time her arrival hasn’t filled me with trepidation. We seem to have reached a plateau in our relationship. She might not truly understand the lifestyle that I’ve chosen, but she can at least see that it isn’t a negative thing. My boys are true gentlemen, fixing her a plate of food and her favorite drink. She laughs and jokes with Danna and me, not about our relationships (we’re not quite there yet) but about babies. She tells me things about my childhood that she’s never shared before, and by the end of the afternoon, I feel closer to her. She squeezes me in a tight hug on the front porch. “You’re doing great,” she says. “Dale is adorable.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She puts her hands on my cheeks and beams. “You know, I’m really proud of you.”
My heart skitters in my chest. Those few words mean more to me than anything she’s ever said to me before. I blink, tears burning in my throat.
“Dale’s lucky to have such a strong momma. A momma who fought for him and found a place for him in the world.”
“We’re not so different,” I say, and then it’s Mom’s turn to blink back tears.
None of us is perfect. I know I’m going to make mistakes with Dale, but in the end, all we can do is our best.
“I saw Justin at the store yesterday,” Mom says, taking a step back. “We didn’t speak, though. Has he been in touch?”
“He was here last week. He spent two hours with Dale. It’s not much, but it’s better than nothing. He was good with him too. I think things will be okay.”
“How was he with the boys?” Mom tips her head back to the house where my eleven men are currently taking care of everything.
“They were all very reserved, but that’s fine too. As long as there is respect, however grudging, things will be okay for Dale.”
“Well, he needs to treat your boys with respect. They’re taking care of his son, physically and financially.”
“And they’re happy to do it. I’m sure that Justin will step up when he’s settled into his career. And our overheads here are just food and utilities.”
“I’m glad I don’t have to deal with your food bill.”
We both chuckle, but she’s right. Our trips to the store require military precision and strength.
“So, I’ll try and come on my next day off,” she says.
“That’ll be great. I’ll keep sending pictures.”
Mom nods and pulls me into another hug, and I stand on the front porch and wave her goodbye. It’s funny how we used to struggle to live together so much, but now I wish she lived closer. Maybe she’ll move back this way. That’s a conversation for another day. Dale will love getting spoiled by his Gammy, and I’ll be happier knowing she’s in the same town.
That evening, I settle Dale into his crib and take a well-needed bath. Afterward, I find my men gathered in the den watching sports. The doors are open to the yard, a soft evening breeze bringing with it the scent of the outdoors. I flop onto the sofa next to Donovan, and he instinctively throws his arm around me and drags me against his body.