Deaf Out Loud

c h a p t e r t w e n t y o n e

After lunch, I cleaned off Mila and got her ready to take a nap. I warmed her bottle and took her to her room. I sat on a chair and gave her the bottle. I looked down at her and her big brown eyes met mine. I stroked her hair as her long eyelashes fluttered closed. She finished her bottle and I took off her hearing aids and carefully laid her in her crib. I gently laid a hand on her chest and prayed quietly before grabbing the bottle and left the room.

I walked back downstairs and Marlowe was sitting at the kitchen table with her crayons and some paper. "Making something for mom?" I asked and she turned to face me, nodding. I went to look over her shoulder and smiled. It was a picture of the four of us and Dodger outside.

"Do you like it?" She signed to me and I nodded. "It's beautiful." I signed back. She grinned and continued to draw. I went into the kitchen and started to clean up from lunch before fixing me a glass of water and sitting down at the table. Dodger went over to me and laid down by my feet.

"Hey bud," I said and rubbed the top of his head. Dodger is my service dog. I was so grateful to receive him after I medically discharged out of the army five years ago. He helps me when I start to become anxious. He's such an amazing dog.

After Emerson came home and we had dinner, the two of us sat on the floor in the girls' playroom as Marlowe listened to music on her iPad. She was dancing around and laughing while Mila was petting Dodger. These three women have changed my life. When I met Emerson and Marlowe, I knew that I had to spend the rest of my life with them. They're the two sweetest people in the world and I couldn't let them getaway. I felt Em lay her head on my shoulder and I looked over at her.

"I love you." She smiled. "I love you too." I smiled back and gently kissed her.