Whoa, Baby!

10.

Chapter Ten
October 30th

I couldn't believe it when Tatiana convinced me to dress up as King Triton. I mean, of all the characters in the world, King Triton? But there I was, sporting a makeshift trident and some seashells, my long hair flowing down my shoulders, and honestly, I couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of it all.

It was all in good fun, after all. Tatiana was embracing her inner Ursula, while Ocean—our little mermaid—looked adorable with her shimmering tail and bright wig.

It felt ridiculous, but I loved how enthusiastic everyone was, especially when we set up a photoshoot in our living room. We took turns posing, and it turned into a hilarious memory that I knew we'd cherish for years to come.

After the photo session, our crew was finally ready to hit the neighborhood for the annual Halloween trick-or-treat party. The kids were bubbling with excitement, and even though I'd put on the ridiculous costume, I was feeling a wave of enthusiasm too.

Seeing them all dressed up—Tatiana and Ocean, and my other five kids buzzing around in their costumes—made it all worthwhile. The blend of our families felt so right, and that Halloween night would be another memory to add to the collection.

As we arrived at the party, I spotted Galina across the yard. She was there with her boyfriend, Andre Belleville, a football safety for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. I was still getting used to seeing her with someone new after our separation.

Watching her interact with Andre and his three kids was surreal, but it also filled me with a sense of pride. Our family had become this beautiful, chaotic blend of people, and I was grateful for the love and support we had for one another, despite the challenges of blending families.

The music was pumping, and the energy was electric. Tatiana and Galina started dancing, their laughter ringing out like music in the night.

I couldn't help but chuckle at their antics, especially when they broke out into the Tootsee Roll dance.

I glanced over at Andre, who was keeping an eye on the kids while trying to look as cool as possible. It was a dance party for the ages, with costumes and joy everywhere you looked.

"Hey, Joe," Andre called over to me, pulling me aside as the kids ran off to gather candy. "I wanted to talk to you about something." His tone was serious, and I sensed it was important.

"Sure, man. What's up?" I replied, intrigued.

"I'm planning on proposing to Galina," he said, his expression earnest. "And I wanted your blessing."

I was taken aback for a moment. They'd been dating for about a year and a half, and I could see how much they cared for each other.

"You don't need my blessing to marry Galina, Andre. You're a good man, so I know you'll continue to be a good man for her," I reassured him.

"But I do want it," he insisted. "You're one of the most important men in her life, and for your kids' sake, I want them to know their father trusts me to be there for not only their mother but for them too."

His sincerity hit me hard. I nodded slowly, processing his words. If Galina said yes when he proposed, it would be a new chapter for all of us. Hell, if she didn't, I might just take him up on that offer myself—he had a way of making you feel valued, a quality that was hard to come by.

"Thanks, Andre. You have my blessing," I said, feeling a weight lift off my shoulders. Watching him smile was rewarding in a way I didn't expect.

I turned my attention back to the dance floor, where Joelle was filming Galina and Tatiana. The sight of them giggling and dancing made me chuckle. "Oh God," I muttered under my breath, shaking my head at the sheer joy radiating from them.

Just then, Tanya and her daughter Luna arrived, both dressed as Kiya and Motsie from the Kimoja Heroes.

Luna ran straight over to me, her eyes wide with excitement. "Uncle Joe!" she squealed as she leaped into my arms.

"I'm King Triton," I declared, striking a pose like I was on some grand throne beneath the sea.

"The little mermaid!" Luna exclaimed, her face lighting up with pure joy.

"Yes!" I replied, beaming back at her.

It was moments like these that reminded me how lucky I was to have such a lively family.

"Hi, Uncle Andre!" Luna waved to him, and he greeted her back with a smile.

Tanya, who had just hugged Andre, turned to me with a playful grin. "You let my sister dress you up like that? Oh, you're down bad," she teased.

"Hey, she was very convincing," I defended, throwing my hands up in mock surrender.

"I bet she was," Tanya replied, her laughter joining the festive atmosphere around us.

As the night wore on, the chaos of our blended family felt more like harmony. Kids darted from house to house, their bags filling with candy as they shouted excitedly about their spoils.

I stood back and took it all in—the laughter, the costumes, the joy. Tatiana and Galina continued to dance together, their carefree spirits infectious.

I could see Andre chatting with my kids, their laughter mixing with the music in the background. I felt a warmth in my chest watching the way he interacted with them. It was evident he cared about Galina, and it reassured me that he would care about my kids too.

At that moment, I realized how far we'd all come. A few years ago, things had felt so uncertain and fragile. But here we were, two families merging into one, full of laughter, love, and acceptance.

As I turned back to the festivities, I caught a glimpse of Ocean dancing with Tatiana, her little legs twirling with enthusiasm.

The sight brought a smile to my face. I felt a profound gratitude for this life we were building together, all of us intertwined, a beautiful tapestry of experiences and emotions.

This Halloween, dressed as King Triton, I was reminded that sometimes the most unexpected choices lead to the most delightful memories. I couldn't have anticipated this journey, but I wouldn't trade it for anything. It was a wild ride, and I was all in.