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.
“You smell of peaches,” he says, kissing my forehead and breathing me in deeply.
His mouth finds my lips, and we settle into a slow and deep kiss, completely oblivious to the ten men surrounding us. Oblivious until I feel hands moving over my body and kisses pressed to my neck. They encircle me like worshipers, the game playing out on the television forgotten. In minutes, I’m lifted and carried upstairs, Donovan heading to his room, John carrying the baby monitor, and the rest following behind. There’s a hush over the group, the quietness of anticipation. I guess they’ve been as eager for this as I have.
There is nothing like the feeling of being laid on a bed and surrounded by my boys. Eleven men watch as I strip my clothes. Eleven men view my swollen breasts and rounded stomach more hungrily than I’ve ever seen them, and when they each make love to me, the deep connection that I feel with them all is renewed. They take precautions without me having to ask, showing me how much they support me in taking some time to finish my education and how much they respect my dreams.
And as I fall asleep, cradled in their arms, with no worries that our son will be taken care of in the night, I know with all my heart that this is my team. They’ve shown me that I can be a team player. They’ve shown me that I don’t have to fear being alone or worry that expressing my opinion will end our love. More importantly, they’ve proven that love can come in all shapes and sizes, and I look forward to increasing the size of our team in the days to come.
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