Page 63 of I’m Already Gone

He lifts his head just enough to peek at me. “Hi, Ethan.”

I lean forward, resting my forearms on the island, and ask, “How about some pancakes, Ollie?”

His head pops up, suddenly wide awake. “Chocolate chip?”

I laugh. “Of course! Only the best.”

I’m not his father. I know this. And yet, when he looks at me like that, he feels like my son.

Lily

Hushed and excited whispers tug me from a deep, peaceful sleep.

“Maybe we shouldn’t wake her yet,” Maddy whispers.

“Are you kidding? We spent all morning making her breakfast,” Jake hisses. “We’re going in.”

“You guys, seriously,” Sam says with a low chuckle.

“I wanna see Mama,” Ollie demands.

“Should we go on three?” Maddy asks.

“What?” Jake huffs in annoyance. “Just open the door, Auntie Sam.”

“Um, excuse me?” Sam scolds. “You wanna try that again, mister?”

“Sorry.” I can almost hear Jake roll his eyes from here.

I adjust my body, propping myself up against the pillows as I wait for their grand appearance.

“Can you please open the door?” Jake tries again. “This tray isn’t light, you know.”

I smile at their playful banter.

“That’s better,” Sam says.

Keeping my eyes fixed on the door, it finally creaks open, and Jake enters first. He’s balancing a tray laden with a vase of white and purple roses and my breakfast. His eyes meet mine, and his smile is so full of love that it makes my heart ache in the most perfect way.

“Morning, Mom,” he says softly, setting the tray on the small table beside the window.

“Morning,” I reply as Ollie runs into the room and throws himself onto the bed.

“Hi, Mom!” he shouts, beaming.

I laugh, pulling him into my arms and cuddling him tight against my chest. “Hi, sweet boy.”

Maddy skips in next, holding a bundle of purple and white balloons, followed by Sam, a beautifully wrapped gift in her hands.

“Happy birthday, Mom!” Maddy squeals, setting the balloons on the table right next to me. She wraps her arms around my neck, and I squeeze her tight, burying my nose in her familiar shampoo-scented hair.

Ollie giggles, wiggling beneath us. “You’re squishing me!”

“Oh, sorry, Ollie.” Maddy pulls back just enough to ruffle his hair affectionately, making him laugh even more. He shifts and sits beside me.

“Thank you, honey,” I reply, choked up.

Sam sets the gift gently on my lap. “Happy birthday, sis,” she says, her eyes shining.