The Love You Give

Practicing

The remainder of the school day flew by and Ezra was happy as she loaded up Janelle, while Zoe loaded up Yves. As they drove to Grayson Park, Ezra peppered Zoe with questions. "Okay, okay, one question at a time!" Zoe laughed. "I don't know. I always had a thing for X, but felt he wasn't the committing type. Then this project happened and one thing led to another. It all started with the assignment on attraction. We worked separately, but when we read over our answers, he was describing me and purposefully. He had feelings for me too and we just sort of went with it." Zoe's smile was wide and bright. "We started off slow and then we got Yves and seeing him holding a baby regardless of real or not just did something to me." Ezra nodded in understanding. "We made love, E. I didn't think he was capable of it, but he handled me with such care it was overwhelming."

"I'm happy to see you happy, Zo." Ezra smiled as she parked her car. "I'm glad I snagged this blanket from Jacob's truck awhile back. We can lay back and watch our men work." Ezra and Zoe unfastened the babies and made their way over to where the guys were tagging. Ezra laid the blanket down a few feet away, so as to not inhale the fumes. Yves and Janelle began wailing. The girls took the dolls out of their car seat and rocked them as they sat. "You guys need help?" Jackson called out as he put his spray can down. "No, we got it," Zoe said bouncing Yves. Xavier made his way over to her and planted a kiss on her lips. "Was he good after lunch?" Zoe nodded with a smile before pulling him down for another kiss. "I like them together," Jackson whispered to Ezra with a smile. She nodded in agreement.

They spent the afternoon watching the guys tag a Black Lives Matter mural as they fed and changed the babies. Ezra was so proud to call Jackson her own. He was one of a kind and she valued and appreciated that. Xavier and Jackson sat next to their women. They could see the sun setting and smiled at the colors painting the sky. "How are you guys able to get away with this and in the daytime?" Ezra asked as she rocked a sleeping Janelle. Jackson and Xavier chuckled. "Most of the time, we get permission from store owners. The park we have to get special approval, but it pays having a senator for a Dad." Ezra nodded. "It's not always fun and rainbows though, especially with the messages we tag." Xavier piped up. "But it's worth it." Zoe rubbed his back as she smiled at him.

It was almost dinnertime and they all needed to head home. "How do you guys manage taking care of him on your own?" Ezra asked as Xavier loaded Yves in his car. "I've been staying with Zoe and her Mom." Ezra's eyes widened. "Your Mom is okay with you two sleeping in the same room?" Zoe laughed. "Girl, my Mom doesn't give a damn about anything but her wine and parties. Xavier could move in indefinitely and she'd be fine." Ezra gave her a sad look before squeezing her hand. "It works out in our favor," Xavier said wrapping his arm around her. "We get to be the best parents to little Yves that we can. Got to raise him right if he's going to woo Ms. Janelle Scott over here." Ezra couldn't help but laugh as the baby cooed. "She's not dating until she's 30," Jackson barked out with a chuckle. "We'll see y'all tomorrow."

By the time they made it home everyone was seated at the table ready for dinner. "Is she sleeping?" Celeste asked looking into the car seat. "Yeah, she had a little playdate today, so it wore her out." Ezra laughed at the silliness of it all. "How was she last night?" Jansen asked taking a sip of his wine. "She was good. She only cried once." Jansen smiled. "Jackson was like that. He only cried when he was hungry or needed a change." Celeste smiled at the memory. "Jackson was easy just like me. Whoever he marries will be lucky cause their kids will be easy." Ezra smiled up at him. "What about Jace or Jacob?" Jansen and Celeste laughed heartily. "Jace needed to be held at all times. You set him down and the waterworks would start. Meanwhile, Jacob just cried for any and everything. He was never satisfied." Ezra smiled at them both. "I need to start praying in advance for their future spouses."

"So, how was the couch, Jackson? I paid a lot of money for those things to be comfortable." Jansen said taking a bite out of his ginger salad. "Couch?" Jackson asked confused. "Yes, last night, when you slept in Ezra's room." Jackson's eyes widened a little before nodding. "Very comfortable." Jacob couldn't help the snicker causing Ezra to elbow him in the ribs. "Celeste, Jackson and I have a few tests tomorrow and were wondering if you could watch Janelle for us. I know it's weird, but I think this is a part of the project in understanding the need to lean on family." Celeste smiled at her. "I'd be happy to. I have a few errands to run and would love to tote my granddaughter around." Ezra chuckled at her. "You're going to make such a good mother, Ezra." Jansen cleared his throat. "In the distant future," he said sternly. Ezra laughed but nodded in agreement.