Shattered Pieces

Twenty Four

"I need to hear you say it, Spencer."

"You're getting a little carried away, don't you think, little Tiger?"

"No, no, I don't. Now say it."

"Fine. I will behave when Bryce gets here."

"And..."

"And I will keep my hands to myself."

"And..."

He squints his eyes at me before letting out a breath. "And I will try to ensure everyone has a good time, including stupid Bryce."

I squeal and throw myself into his arms. "Thank you, baby! I just want us to, for once, have a night where we can let loose and have fun. I believe we've earned that."

"You're right. Our life has been missing the fun." He smiles down at me and caresses my face. "Not to sour the mood, but Kennedy should be here to pick up Aaliyah soon. I told her to text when she's here, and I'll bring Aaliyah outside."

"Great. I'll have to disinfect our front yard of her presence tomorrow. She better hurry up. I don't want her here when Kia gets here."

"Do I even want to know?" Spencer arches his brow at me.

"No, baby, you don't. But I'm going to tell you all about it anyway... later." I kiss his cheek and wiggle out of his arms.

The kids are quiet... too quiet. I'm still getting to know Aaliyah, but when Grayson is quiet, it's never good.

I carefully poke my head into the room, and my jaw drops. I fumble in my pocket for my phone, afraid to make a peep.

Trouble 🖤: Come to Gray's room, hurry.

I snap a few pictures just in case Spencer doesn't make it in time.

"What did the little monster do no—" I throw my hand over his mouth when he gets close enough. He licks my hand like the child that he is before his eyes settle on our kiddos.

Aaliyah is curled up in the corner of the rocking chair with her head comfortably on the armrest. Her curls are sprawled out all over the place. Grayson is tucked in right beside her, his tiny hand comfortably in her small one, their fingers intertwined. Their faces are so soft, and peaceful. I feel mesmerized watching the subtle rise and fall of their little chests.

"She got him to sleep?" Spencer mumbles against my hand, clearly as shocked as I am.

"Can we keep her forever?" I turn to him, and he smiles so hard it cracks my chest wide open.

"She's winning you over." He grins at me.

"She fits so perfectly in our home, Spencer. I don't know how, and I can't make sense of it, but she just... there's a space in my heart that I didn't even know was there. She fits."

He wraps his arms around my waist and kisses the top of my head.

"We could have..." the words lodge in my throat. "We should have had this from the very beginning." My voice strains.

Silence envelops us, and I know my husband agrees. How could he not?

"We have it now, and we'll never not have it again. That's what's important." He presses three quick kisses to my collarbone.

"How are you so perfect a loving me?" I tilt my head back so I can see his face.

"Because, Olivia... you've been patient enough to teach me exactly how you deserve to be loved."

"I used to be so afraid of falling until you, Spencer. Even when it doesn't seem like it...."

"I'll always catch you. It's what I do, and I'm damn good at it." He cuts me off.