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Tyler nods, and we stand there in silence for a moment. "Do you remember how distant and untrusting we both were?" he asks. "I don't think I could have made it without you."
I turn around to face him, placing my hands on his chest. "We helped each other," I say softly. "You showed me that it's okay to trust again, and I showed you that it's okay to embrace life outside of a career."
He smiles, but there's a hint of seriousness in his eyes. "You've taught me so much, Sarah. I learned about growth and about being okay with letting the world in on me being a father. I didn’t think I could feel whole again after everything, but you changed that."
"And you taught me about redemption, Tyler," I reply, the words heavy with emotion. "About how it's never too late to turn things around, to find peace and happiness, no matter how lost you feel. How it's important not to go through life alone if you don't have to."
Tyler rests his forehead against mine. "We've come a long way, haven't we?"
I nod, becoming emotional all of a sudden. "Yes, we have. And we still have a long way to go, but now I know we can face anything together."
Tyler takes a deep breath, his forehead still resting against mine. "You know, as happy as I am, there's something I've been nervous about."
I pull back slightly, just enough to look into his eyes. "What is it? You can tell me anything."
He hesitates for a moment before speaking. "It's Timmy starting school. The school year is just around the corner, and summer is almost over. I can't help but worry about how he'll adjust."
I smile reassuringly, squeezing his hands. "Timmy has come a long way, just like us. He's made some great friends already. Remember, Dylan and Emily will be attending the same school. Timmy won't be alone."
Tyler's face relaxes a bit, the tension easing from his shoulders. "Yeah, you're right. I almost forgot about that. They get along so well with Timmy."
I nod, feeling the warmth spread through my chest. "Exactly. And they're excited to show Timmy the ropes. You'll see, he'll settle in just fine. Plus, the teachers there are wonderful. They know how to support children who need more time to adjust."
Tyler sighs, his grip on my waist tightening slightly. "I guess I'm just being overprotective. I know how hard it can be to start fresh, especially for a kid."
"We're doing everything we can to ensure he has a positive experience," I gently remind him. And besides, he’s not alone in this. We'll always support him every step of the way."
He smiles, the worry in his eyes giving way to gratitude. "Thank you, babe. You always know how to calm my nerves."
I rest my head against his chest, taking comfort in the steady beat of his heart. "We're in this together, remember? Timmy's not the only one who's grown. We've all become stronger as a family."
Tyler strokes my hair. His voice is soft. "You're right. We've faced so much already and become stronger on the other side. We can handle this too. I am also relieved that Mrs. Carolyn will have more time to herself with Timmy at school. I've been wanting her to relax and enjoy herself more."
"I honestly think she's going to go crazy with Timmy being gone all day and will probably volunteer at the school," I joke. Tyler chuckles in amusement but nods, since he can see something like that happening.
Chapter 25
Tyler
The Joy of Companionship
"Alright, let's get Timmy ready for his first hayride," Sarah says, her eyes twinkling with excitement as she glances at my mini cowboy, who is busy inspecting his cowboy hat.
I nod, catching Timmy's eye. "Hey, partner, you ready for some adventure?"
Timmy grins, his apprehension from earlier fading away. "Yes, Daddy! I can't wait!"
We go to the barn, where the other kids are gathered, giggling and chattering like a flock of noisy birds. The horses are hitched up to a couple of large hay wagons, and the smell of fresh straw fills the air.
I glance around, seeing some parents helping their children settle into the wagons while others chat. The atmosphere is one of excitement and camaraderie, and it warms my heart to see Timmy already making new friends.
"Timmy, stay close to us, alright?" Sarah instructs, as she mounts the wagon, helping him up. "You don't want to miss out on any of the fun."
"Okay!" Timmy says, his tiny hands clutching the edge of the wagon. His enthusiasm is contagious, and I feel a surge of pride watching him.
As the kids get comfortable on the hay bales, Sarah and I go to the front of the wagon where Mr. Jenkins, the ranch owner, sits. "Thanks for helping out today, folks," he says, tipping his hat. "We always appreciate the extra hands."
"Anything for the kids," I reply, giving him a firm handshake. "Just let us know what you need."
