Page 84 of Tides and Tidings

I sat down next to her. “What would you like to watch?”

Wren tapped her chin dramatically. “A Christmas movie.”

“Which one?” Charlie reached for the remote.

“The Grinch!” She cheered.

“Did you know it’s one of my favorite movies?” I asked the six-year-old as I brushed her hair out of her face.

She nodded. “That’s why I picked it.”

“You’ve got a really sweet kid.” I directed my comment at Charlie.

“We’ve got a really sweet kid.” He motioned towards Wren, who was snuggled to his side. “You heard what she said earlier.”

“Yeah, Birdie. I’m yours now.”

My heart filled with pride, and a smile tugged at my lips. I have the opportunity to give Wren the life I wish I had as a kid: a beautiful home with two loving parents and a mom who would give her grace and be an open book for any questions she had. I wanted to be a person she felt comfortable going to for anything. No topic would be off-limits.

Charlie pressed play on the movie and we got lost in the town of Whoville. Memories of watching this as a kid came flooding back because, if we’re honest, it’s been years since I’ve seen it.

I couldn’t help but take in my surroundings. The light from the Christmas tree gave the living room a soft glow. Wren was cuddled up in Charlie’s side while Marsh rested his golden head on my blanketed lap. This was the first time in my life that I felt like I was home. This life was wilder than I could’ve ever imagined, and I was so thankful for it.

“Can I have more popcorn?” Wren piped up.

When I saw her eat the last piece of popcorn, I knew a refill would be necessary. We were only halfway through the movie, and we had already barreled through a bag. According to Wren, I make the better popcorn. Charlie goes the healthy-ish route and leaves it as it is out of the bag. I, however, melt butter and pour it on top. As the kid says, “The more butter, the better!” She’s a modern-day Paula Deen with her love of butter.

“I’ll go get it. Can you pause the movie?” I unwrapped myself from the blankets.

“Are you afraid you’re going to miss somethin’?” Charlie teased, knowing damn well I could recite the movie almost word-for-word.

“I sure am.” I offered a smirk over my shoulder.

I tossed a bag of popcorn in the microwave and let Marsh out in the backyard. I leaned against the counter, zoning out while the popcorn popped and he did his business.

“Daddy, what are you doing?” I heard Wren ask. “It’s pretty!”

“Shh,” Charlie responded.

Those two were up to no good. I was sure of it.

Marsh came in with his muddy paws and sat by the treat jar.

“Do you think you deserve a treat for going potty?”

His tail wagged.

“Okay, but only one cookie.” I handed Marsh a treat and he ran back into the living room.

The bag of popcorn gave me a steam facial as I dumped it into the bowl and added the extra butter.

Charlie

It’s go time.

Blythe

I was lost in my little world when I returned to the living room. I put the bowl in the middle of the blankets and didn’t notice Charlie, Wren, and Marsh on one knee next to the tree. Charlie had a small velvet box in his hands.