We’ve made mistakes. But, we’ve put in the work.
I’ll spend the rest of my life with this woman, of that I have no doubt.
I can’t help but believe everything’s been worth it.
I’min the middle of packing up the load of crap Connor and I drag with us whenever we take the boys to his parents’ house. Which isn’t quite as often these days, considering Maureen spends so much time at our house. We’re due at Ty and Zoey’s shortly.
“Can I help you, love?” Rory hovers next to me, resting on his cane.
I glance up. “No, I’m nearly done. I swear, the stuff we tow around multiplies.”
“Oh, aye. The joys of twins. Double the fun, so they are. Padraig and Liam were born ten months after Connor. We called them our wee Irish triplets.”
“I’m not sure how you did it.” I stuff some toys into my giant tote bag. “I’m not looking forward to the terrible twos. They seem to already have their own language that Connor and I don’t have translations for.”
Rory throws his head back and laughs. “Yer alright, so you are.”
“Let me help.” Maureen hurries toward me.
Connor emerges from the bedroom with Tristan and Torin under each arm, both boys squealing with laughter. He whirls around, eliciting shrieks and giggles. “Pa Pa Mow. Pa Pa Mow.”
“You want more, wee lads?” Connor’s smile lights up the room. He grips their little bellies with his big palm and flies them around the room.
My heart melts.
“Don’t wind them up after a nap, you eejit,” Maureen scolds her oldest son. She intercepts him and plucks Torin and hands him to me.
“Thank you for dinner, Maureen. Rory.” I give her a side hug. “See you later guys.”
Padraig, Liam and Cillian turn from their seats on the sofa where they’re watching the Seahawks play Kansas City.
Connor leans down and hugs his brothers. “Give Seamus and Brennan my best, I’m sorry to miss them.”
We finish our goodbyes and load the boys into their car seats. I relax back against the leather seat when Connor drives away. “Christmas Eve at Ty and Zoey’s is going to be a thing now?”
“Aye. I’d say so.” Connor turns onto Alaskan Way so we can take the faster route to West Seattle. “Or maybe we rotate homes. Who knows.”
“Tonight should be rather epic,” I say when we pull into Ty and Zoey’s driveway. “It’s hard to believe it’s been two years since their engagement.”
“Can you believe it’s been a whole year since we were in Los Angeles with Zoey’s family? This year, you and I have a lot less pressure, thank Christ.” He hands Tristan to me while he gets to work on Torin’s seat belt.
Ten minutes later we’ve hauled in our stuff with the boys in tow. We follow Ty and Zoey into the living room. I take Torin. Connor lifts Tristan and hands him to Ty, who’s now very comfortable with kids. He’s a dad now, getting plenty of practice with his infant son Oliver.
Connor gets to work on unfurling the playpen. “You’ll thank me later, so you will.”
I side hug Ty, who is radiant. “You look great, Ty. I’m so excited to help out with the foundation.”
Ty squeezes me back. “We really appreciate your support.”
“Thank you, Ronni.” Zoey embraces me from behind. “We can’t wait to include mental health awareness and implement technology education. Your donation will help make it possible.”
Given my traumatic background, I decided to team up with the Rainier Foundation to help them provide more than just arts education. With his contribution and my endowment, hopefully we can help underserved community kids gain access to mental health resources.
Connor helps me settle the twins in their playpen with a multitude of toys. Lianne and Carter hover and I realize they haven’t seen the boys in months. Zoey brings her and Ty’s newborn son, Oliver, out to say hello.
The door opens. “We’re here, motherfuckers.” Zane bops in. Fiona and Mia follow. Mia ignores the twins and runs to Carter, who’s holding Ollie. Ty and Zane hug. It seems a bit awkward, but things are a million times better than a couple months ago when Ty got home from intensive therapy.
“How are you?” I embrace Fee. She looks a bit weary.