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“Why, Mr. Jonas?” I love it when she calls me Mr. Jonas.
“This park is ginormous. Bigger than any other park close by. With lots of big trees and trails to walk on and a nature center to learn about the animals.”
“Will we see animals here?” she asks as her pitch bumps up.
“If we’re lucky. We might see some deer or rabbits or other animals.”
She gasps and stares into the passing trees. “I hope we see a deer. Would be so cool.”
I glance over at Autumn and match her ear-to-ear smile. Seeing her this happy, seeing Clementine this happy, it brings new meaning to love and life and joy. Clementine may not be my daughter, but she is as equally precious to me as Autumn.My girls. I never knew I could be this enamored by a woman and her daughter.
As I park the Jeep, Clementine bounces in her seat, eager to jump out. We hop out and leave the cooler in the back. For the next few hours, we wander through the education center and along the trails of the preserve. The sun beats down on us and keeps us warm in the cool February air. Every once in a while, Clementine has us swing her in the air as we walk.
When our stomachs begin to rumble, I grab the cooler and we sit at a partially shaded picnic table to eat our lunch. For the most part, the preserve has minimal people here. At most, we have seen ten people. During our visit, we see one deer, a few rabbits, several squirrels, and a snake that slithers away. Clementine has been fascinated with it all.
All in all, it’s been a peaceful day. Which is exactly what the three of us needed.
With full bellies and tired feet, we decide to head back to the house. But as promised, on the way back, we stop at the store to pick up cake and ice cream.
We stroll into the store and beeline to the bakery. “If I get to pick the cake, you can pick the ice cream,” I offer to Clementine.
She taps her lips with a finger and narrows her eyes a moment. How can someone be this adorable? “Deal.” Clementine extends her hand and we shake.
After I select a small vanilla and chocolate cake with chocolate frosting, we go to the frozen section. For the next ten minutes, Clementine studies the ice cream selection as if her decision will end a war. Autumn holds her up every other minute so she can see the higher shelves better. I don’t rush them.
Instead, I stand back and observe my girls.My girls.
Clementine points at a container and Autumn whispers in her ear what the flavor is. Clementine shakes her head and they move down the line. This happens over and over, and yet, it doesn’t bother me. Doesn’t make me impatient.
If anything, I ask for more time like this. More time to bask in the joy of being a part of their lives. More time to watch the woman I care about dedicate herself to her daughter. To help her with tasks most adults consider menial. To focus on her daughter and forget everything else. Autumn is a phenomenal mother to Clementine. I envy her devotion. Having them in my life… I have never been so lucky.
After Clementine chooses, we check out and leave the store. “Happy birthday, Mr. Jonas.”
I peek in the rearview mirror at Clementine. “Thank you. Hope you’re ready for cake and ice cream.”
She gives a confident nod. “Born ready.”
Autumn laughs, slips her hand into mine over the console and squeezes. “Today has been wonderful. And it’s still somewhat early.”
At the red light, I meet her eyes. “Maybe we can take a nap after cake.” I cock a brow.
“A nap, huh?”
I simply shrug and focus my eyes on the road again. A few minutes later, I park in the driveway and we all hop out.
In the house, Clementine tells Spartan about the preserve while we dish up cake and ice cream. And after our plates our clean, I mention napping again. Clementine says she will watch a movie with Spartan while Autumn and I take a short nap.
Once we land on my bed, I close my eyes. Although I can’t see her, IfeelAutumn observe me. “You really wanted to sleep? Interesting. Thought you were using a nap as an excuse for birthday sex.”
I laugh and pull her down to the bed. “We can do that later. For now, I just want to lie here and hold you. That okay?”
Autumn snuggles into my side. “Yes, but we should set an alarm. Just in case.”
After we set an alarm for forty-five minutes, we just hold each other. And for the first time since yesterday evening, I think of Leo’s visit to the garage. I need to tell Autumn what happened. Not just for the sake of telling her, but also because I worry for her and Clementine both. Plus, she should forward the incident to her attorney.
Tonight, I will tell her. After dinner.
“Stay with me again tonight,” I whisper against her hair. “I love having you both here.”
