cheek and assure him it was okay with me.
“That’s okay. You have fun at Grandma’s tonight and we’ll see each other tomorrow.”
We didn’t have to wait too long on the food, and as it was delicious, it was gone as fast as it was on our table.
We were all full, and Ira was slowly getting tired which was a sign for us to leave the zoo.
At the exit, I turned back to face the zoo and told him to wave goodbye to the animals, and since he gave most of them names, I had to stand there and wait until he said goodbye to at least ten of them.
“He’s the cutest,” I heard Rooney say to Mom, who happily agreed.
“Wells was the exact same when he was little.”
I didn’t remember how I was as a kid, but from what Mom always told me, I knew I was similar to how Ira was now.
I was an easy kid, and not having siblings wasn’t so bad either, but I’ve always wondered what it would be like if Ira had a little brother or sister.
“Bye everyone!”
He was finally done saying goodbye to all his new friends, and when I turned around, Rooney was smiling at me sweetly.
Mom was already walking through the exit, and when I stepped closer to Rooney, I pressed a kiss to her forehead before heading out as well.
She sure did something to me, and knowing Ira liked her too was going to be hard if I ever decided to let go of her.
Wasn’t my plan though.
We drove back to my mother’s house, and since Ira fell asleep in his car seat, I told Rooney that I’d be right back and carried him up the stairs and to his own little bedroom.
“Daddy,” he whispered, his eyes opening slightly.
“Yes, buddy?”
I tucked him in after quickly checking his insulin pump.
“Are you having a sleepover with Rooney?”
Damn kids.
Always knew exactly what was going on.
Luckily he had no idea what grownups did at sleepovers.
I smiled and nodded. “Yes, I am. Did you have fun today at the zoo?” I asked to change the subject.
“Yes, I liked the lions,” he said, his voice almost a whisper.
“Yeah, those were great, huh? Sleep now. I’ll come pick you up whenever you call me tomorrow morning, okay?”
He nodded, and once I placed a kiss to his forehead, he had one last thing to say.
“I like Rooney.”
Of course he did.
How couldn’t he? She was incredible.
I smiled and brushed through his hair one more time. “I do too. Sleep tight, bud. I love you.”
“I love you,” he replied, making my heart melt.
That was the first time he actually replied to it without using okay as an answer.
He was slowly starting to understand those three words which meant so damn much, and I was already excited to say it to him again just to hear him say it back.
I left the room and walked back downstairs to see Mom talking to Rooney.
As they noticed me, she placed a hand on Rooney’s arm and smiled, whispering something to her before turning and walking back to the house.
“Is he asleep?” she asked.
“Yeah, but I’m sure he’ll be up for some water anytime soon. Thanks for today, Mom. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
I leaned in to kiss her cheek, and after she said goodbye to Rooney again, we got into the car and drove off.
I took a deep breath and looked over at Rooney who was smiling down at her hands in her lap.
“Are you happy?” I asked, reaching for her hands and squeezing them tightly.
“Yes, very happy. You?”
She now looked at me, eyeing me closely while I focused on the road.
“Yes, I am happy. I’m glad you came along today. You gained a whole lot more bonus points from Ira.”
She laughed softly and turned her hand to interlock her fingers with mine.
“I had a lot of fun today. Wouldn’t mind doing it all over again,” she told me.
Me neither, and I was secretly planning another fun trip for just the three of us already.
Chapter Nineteen
Rooney
We arrived back at the apartment complex and got out of his car to head inside.
“Mind if I go grab a few things from my room? I’ll be right back,” I told him as we stopped in front of his door.
“Sure, take your time,” he replied, placing a hand on my waist and kissing my cheek gently. “I’ll be waiting.”
I nodded and ran upstairs to enter my own apartment, and when I realized Evie wasn’t the only one inside, I