“That’s very mature and go-with-the-flow of you.”
“I’m trying, okay.” I laughed, pushing his shoulder. “What about you? Have you guys talked more?”
“Yeah, we have. And I’m trying too. Now that I’m not so worried about the custody, I think I could entertain it. I want him in my life. It’s just figuring out what that looks like. I want us three to talk about it when you’re ready to take that step.”
“What if I’m ready to take that step with you?”
“Then I’d suggest a sleepover,” he winked, pulling me into his arms.
“I like the sounds of these plans.”
Smiling wide at each other, the moment was broken when the boys came into the living room, carrying a plate of cookies and talking a mile a minute. We settled down to watch movies, ordered some pizzas, and I enjoyed the relaxed evening. Monroe updated me on his conversation with Christine, and she was fine for now. It eased some of my worry in that department.
The whole evening, I couldn’t help but think how nice it felt being part of a family, one that I’d made myself of people I could be the real me with. Mostly, I tried to ignore the plaguing insults Brian had thrown and focus on the now, and what I was learning to be true.
Eating cookies, laughing, and snuggling were how I planned to conquer the lies tonight.