Deep in Desire - Page 40
“I’m not so sure,” Deborah replied. “I guess we’d have to check the child labor laws in California, but heck… let’s give it a whirl.”
Jamie beamed with pride while Emily looked up from her book to offer her brother anapproving nod. “Not bad at all, Jammy Jam. It looks super realistic.”
“Hey, Em,” Deborah said, “what’s that you’re reading? I don’t recognize it. Did Momma buy it?”
Emily’s eyes lit up. “It’s a book about Greek Mythology. Momma ordered it online.”
“I thought we said we were done with the online shopping, Hols?” asked Deborah, a note of concern in her voice.
“Um… You know the nearest bookstore is about twenty miles away, right? Emily and I like to treat ourselves to a little retail therapy from the comfort of our own home. And if it’s books… it’s totally allowed. It doesn’t even count as shopping,” replied Holly in a pleading tone.
“Did you know the Greeks had over 2,000 gods and goddesses?”
Deborah raised an eyebrow. “Is that so? That’s pretty fascinating, kiddo. Maybe you can read me a little of that book at bedtime? What do you say?”
“Absolutely,” Emily said, her face lighting up with excitement.
Holly looked at Deborah, their eyes meeting. “We’ve got some amazing kids, don’t we?”
Deborah nodded, “We really do. Even if theylike blowing stuff up and spending all our cash online.”
As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the lawn, the family settled down on the patio for dinner. Jamie and Emily had set the table, but Deborah couldn’t suppress a chuckle when she noticed the mismatched plates and cutlery.
“I like what you kids have done here: blue bowls, red plastic plates, green forks, silver… uh… fish knives, white mugs, and our best crystal flutes. It’s definitely a style,” she laughed.
“So, any exciting plans for tomorrow?” Holly asked, looking around the table.
“I’m going to need you to buy me a book on the Egyptians,” Emily said. “I need to compare them to the Greeks.”
“And I need to make my explosions bigger,” Jamie added. “Mr. Thomas said that this year’s science fair is going to be judged by actual scientists! I need to blow their minds!”
“Right,” Deborah said, looking over to Holly. “Just don’t blow their heads off while you’re at it. Got it?”
After dinner, as the kids helped clear the table, Deborah and Holly took a moment to themselves.
“Can you believe how far we’ve come?” Holly murmured, leaning into Deborah’s embrace.
“It’s been quite a journey,” Deborah replied, her voice soft. “And I wouldn’t trade a single moment of it, would you?”
Holly turned to face her. “Absolutely not. We’ve built something beautiful here, Debs—a family, a home.”
Deborah’s eyes shone. “God, I love you, Holly. You’ll never know how much.”
“I love you too,” Holly whispered, her voice filled with emotion. “I forgot to tell you that my mom and Nora are popping over tomorrow. Mom wants to talk to us about hosting our wedding anniversary at the Indigo. I think she wants to throw us a big party.”
“Oh, no! The in-laws! I need at least 48-hours notice, hon!”
“Haha. Very funny. It’s so weird when you call them that. My mom hates it.”
“I know,” Deborah giggled. “That’s why I do it.”
Their lips met in a tender kiss, a promise of the future they would continue to build together. As they pulled apart, they heard the sound of giggles behind them.
“Eww! Gross! You guys are kissing!” Jamie teased, his voice filled with laughter.
“You’re not used to it, buddy?” Holly said, turning to ruffle his hair. “Well, get used to it, kiddo, because you’re stuck with us forever.”
As the family gathered in the living room later that evening, snuggled up on the couch with bowls of popcorn, Deborah looked at her wife and her children, knowing that with them by her side, she could embrace the future with open arms, ready for whatever came next.
