Only Human

2.0

"Viola!" Kate yelled, sprinting over to me through the parking lot. I bent slightly, making sure to support my weight in my knees and opened my arms to catch her. 

"Hi, cutie!" I greeted, giving her a big hug. Bailey was belly laughing and trying to run away, while his mom had put one of those harness backpacks with leashes on him so he couldn't get far. 

"Vi-Ol-A!" He was shrieking. I gave him a bright smile as I pulled away from Kate and stood up. 

"Hi Bailey-boy!" He collapsed into more laughter and I let out a laugh of my own. Then I reached for Max, who had been hovering nearby, but was too cool to initiate affection. I gave him a tight hug as well, before greeting their parents. 

"Hey, Mr. and Mrs. McCleary. How's it going?" I asked them, all the kids now at my side. They gave me apprehensive smiles. 

"Pretty good, Viola. We will be back in two hours. We just have a business luncheon in Salt Lake City, and it's too far to take the kids. We'll be back soon though. They have their coats and winter shoes in case you want to do anything outside," Mr. McCleary answered while Mrs. McCleary waved at all the kids. 

"Sounds great! We'll see you guys soon!" I exclaimed, waving goodbye to them as Mrs. McCleary passed me Bailey's leash. 

"Bye kids!" Mr. McCleary called, walking away and back to their car. 

"Bye Mom, Bye Dad!" Max and Kate yelled. Bailey was still chortling and chanting my name, but I don't know that they expected a reply from him anyway. 

"I have," I said, turning to face the kids, "the BEST idea." 

I watched Max's face turn skeptical while Kate's eyes filled with excitement. 

"What? Put on dresses and makeup like a girl?" Max asked sarcastically. I reached over and flicked his nose. 

"No! But if that's what you consider the best idea..." I trailed off. His eyes widened in embarrassment as he shook his head. 

"I was kidding! You're idea is probably fine..." He amended. 

"Anyone else wanna get smart with me?" I asked, my hands on my hips. 

"Me!" I heard a voice from behind me. I turned and saw Gabriel beaming from behind me. I rolled my eyes. 

"Well too bad, you don't get any say in what we are doing today!" I announced to him, turning back around to face the kids. 

"Hi, Gabriel!" Max grinned. I snorted. He looked up to my boyfriend a little too much. It was obvious in the way he looked at Gabe that he wanted to be just like him. 

"Sh! Max, I want to hear the idea!" Kate shushed him, hitting his arm. I pretended not to see it and moved on. 

"We are going to make... Christmas Decorations!" I shouted, smiling when all the kids looked excited enough. Bailey was squatting down with hands clenched in tight little fists and smiling wide, which meant he was pooping or he was pumped. I chose to believe it was the second option. 

We spent a wonderful two hours cutting out paper snowflakes, making ornaments, and listening to favorite silly christmas songs. Watching Gabriel with the kids filled my heart with longing. I couldn't help but hope that maybe I would one day be able to see him like that with our own kids. My train of thought embarrassed me, but I couldn't help it. 

When they left I walked slowly back inside my apartment, swiping all of the paper scraps off the counter and into a trash bin. 

"You are going to make a wonderful mother." Sweet words whispered in my ear as warm arms wrapped around me from behind. I closed my eyes in bliss and leaned back against his strong chest.