three are adorable,” I say, and I slide into the chair next to Tyler. “Did you make them oatmeal?”
He nods. “I think Diana and Weston are still sleeping,” he says. He leans in toward me. “I think they were up sort of late, if you know what I mean.”
“We were all up late,” I say, not getting his innuendo.
“No, no. They were up late.” His tone is pointed, and then I finally get it. He’s trying to tell me that my sister banged her husband in my house. Well, maybe they decided to try for another kid, and maybe last night was the night it worked.
And as I watch Tyler take the lead with these two little girls, my own ovaries seem to nudge me to let me know they’re ready to make more babies with this generous, kind, sexy man who isn’t just a loving and forgiving partner, but who is an amazing father.
A few nights later, we head to Tyler’s parents’ house. Kathy, his mom, welcomes us with open arms for Luna, who she takes from Tyler the second we walk in the door. His dad, Bernie, wears a Hawaiian shirt and glasses and he looks like a stereotypical grandfather with his graying beard and the twinkle always in his eye as he’s ready to cause mischief.
“Come on in, you two,” Kathy says. “Dinner’s ready but you’re going to have to serve yourselves because I’ll be busy with Luna for the next three hours.”
I giggle. When Tyler was on tour for four months, Kathy called me and offered to help me any time I needed it. She asked if she could come over and get to know Luna. She and Bernie took Luna to the zoo, the children’s museum, and some children’s amusement center. We hung out with my own family, too, with lots of trips to the beach and shared meals, but I really love seeing Tyler’s family get to know Luna. I love having so much family so close to us, and I love seeing Luna build her relationships with these people who love her so much.
We’re already at the place in our relationship where I don’t need to ask for a drink. Bernie automatically brings me a glass of wine, and he knows I’m happy to try whatever bottle Kathy already opened. We split a bottle while Bernie and Tyler try some new kind of scotch, but I already know Tyler will prefer the cheap stuff.
We sit to eat, and Luna is seated between Kathy and Tyler. Kathy’s the one who cuts up little pieces of food and sets them on Luna’s tray, and Tyler’s there on the other side making sure she eats.
It’s a rare meal off for this mama, and I take full advantage, shoveling in the homemade chicken and rice combo Kathy made. I’m the first one done. I help out by doing the dishes, and as I scrub at the plates, I feel an overwhelming sense of joy and peace that this is part of my extended family now.
I never would’ve looked at the sexy, successful, beast of a rock star Tyler Caldwell grew into and thought, oh I bet he’s a great father.
But he is.
It’s easy to judge people by what they do or how they look and be totally wrong, and now that I’ve gotten to live with Tyler as Luna’s father, I can easily and fully admit that I misjudged him. If I could take it all back so none of us would’ve had to live through the hurts and the pain, I would.
And I tell Tyler that once we’re back home just before we shut off the lights at bedtime. “I love your parents,” I begin.
“They love you too. And Luna. God. They’re head over heels for that girl.” He shrugs. “I am, too, though. For both of you.”
“I wish I could give you back those two years,” I say softly.
He reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I know you do,” he says. “And I’d take them in a heartbeat, but it’s part of our past now and I’d like to lock it up and leave it right there. Besides, I’ll be there for the next one.”
I glance over at him with a raised brow. “The next one?”
He lifts a shoulder as his mouth stretches into a lazy grin. “Yeah. I want more kids. With you. I want Luna to have siblings and I want to knock you up and I want to be there for every