Page 26 of Easter Daddy

“You called a cab?” I ask. Her boyfriend is usually the one to pick her up, but I don’t hear his loud car outside.

“Yes,” she says with a sharp nod.

“Alright. Well, I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I tell her. At that exact moment, Lily walks into the room. I hadn’t realized that she was back, but the garage is on the other side of the house and her car is fairly quiet.

“Afternoon, Mrs. Lewis,” Alice says. “I’m heading out. Bye.”

“Bye,” we both say at the same time, just as the triplets rush over to their mother, hugging her legs. She rubs their heads lovingly.

“Where’s Lucas?” she asks.

“In his room. Drawing, I think.”

“Is he drawing on his walls again?” she asks in a stressed voice.

“It’s not the end of the world if he is.”

She nods her head. “You’re right. It isn’t.”

We sit on the couch together, and Lyle clambers onto his mother’s lap while my daughters sit on either one of my knees. I want to call Lucas, but I don’t want to disturb him. Luckily, he comes outside with a drawing in hand.

“Were you drawing on your walls again?” Lily asks him.

He shakes his head. “No, Mom,” he tells her.

“Good.”

“I drew us,” he says to her, holding up a piece of paper to show us a drawing of our family. It’s Lily and me, with me holding two small children in pink, and Lily holding one in blue, while another child, presumably Lucas, stands between us.

“Aww,” Lily says in her beautiful, high-pitched voice. “I love it, Lucas!” she tells him, and he beams at her.

Lucas takes his place beside his mother so we can watch TV together. We settle on SpongeBob, his favorite show.

As we watch the episode about the Alaskan Bull Worm, Lucas keels over on the couch laughing. His laughter is infectious, and the toddlers start laughing, too. Lily is just smiling in contentment. The sound of my children laughing is melodious, like a symphony of joy, and it brings me great happiness to see my children and wife so happy.

I think my family is absolutely beautiful. It’s honestly the best a man can hope for. After all my years of living a life of isolation, I’ve finally found my tribe, the people who complete me.

I’ve found my peace.

The End.