The look on my face told her I wasn’t budging nor was I going to listen to any negotiating. “Go tell your brother and father dinner is ready and get your butt to that table when you’re done.”
She turned hastily, full of attitude, and headed toward the hallway. Before she was out of my sight, I shouted, “Viv,” across the kitchen. When she faced me, I mouthed, “I love you.”
I glanced down before I saw if she mouthed it back, and I continued to plate the veggies. Once those were on the table, I put a serving of fish on everyone’s plate. Drinks were already poured, bread was in a basket, butter and condiments were there, too.
“It looks delicious,” Emery said as he stepped in behind me. He pressed his lips against the side of my neck, his hands gripping my waist.
“Really guys,” our son moaned.
I laughed into Emery’s mouth and moved to my chair. The rest of my family did the same, Viv coming in last. Once she sat, I passed the bread and vegetables, making sure everyone had what they needed before I picked up my fork. As I held it in my hand, I didn’t look down at my plate. I stared at the faces that were around this table and I tried to live in this second for as long as I could.
The room was filled with Viv’s gorgeous laughter and Tommy’s beautiful smile.
I was filled by the way my husband was looking at me. It was a smolder I could feel in my entire body.
“I’m glad you made me stay, Mom,” Viv said, causing that fire to go out.
My eyes flitted across the table. It took a while to get there, but when they finally locked with my daughter’s, I felt a love that was indescribable. Something I didn’t know existed until the moment I heard her first cry.
“It wouldn’t be the same without you, baby,” I replied.
I looked back in Emery’s direction. The intensity from a few seconds ago was gone and in its place was so much warmth. He was happy. Things had gone better than he planned. She was going to give my husband all the help he needed, and now I was going to focus on my kids.