There’s onlyLacy, the keeper of my heart, giving me hers completely.
8
Epilogue
Lacy
“Alright, Beck, remember to toss the feed as far out as you can. We want to feedallthe ducks, not just the ones at the front. There you go.” My heart swells as my son, getting bigger by the day, plasters a huge grin on his face and throws duck feed out into the pond. We’ve been coming to this park for years, and he’s just now old enough to really appreciate it. “Wow, that was so good!” I cry enthusiastically. “Give me a high five!”
Dried corn sticks to Beck’s palm as he turns around and high fives me. His eyes are bright blue and sparkling like diamonds, making my heart melt. He’s such a cute little kid.
I can’t wait for Wes to meet him.
Speaking of Wes…
I glance over my shoulder to find him watching us from the path. His hands are in his pockets and to any passerby, he’d seem casual. But I know him by now. His shoulders are tense and he’s clicking and unclicking his jaw.
He’snervous, and I love that he cares so much about this first impression with my son.
I wave him over, a smile on my lips. “Beck, buddy, I want you to meet a special friend of mine.” Grabbing my son by the waist, I pull him into my chest. “This is Wes. He’s going to be staying with us at the house.”
My man approaches slowly, crouching to my son’s eye level as soon as he’s close enough. “Hey, Beck,” he greets, watching my son closely. “Your mom’s told me so much about you.”
“It’s the duck man,” Beck says quickly, waving his little hand in the air.
Wes’s eyes widen but he laughs, rubbing the back of his neck. “I guess the cat’s out of the bag.”
“Huh?” I blink, looking between the two boys. Beck is smiling and waving wildly in front of him, beckoning Wes closer. “Am I missing something?” Narrowing my eyes, I fix Wes with a stern glare. “Wes?”
He grins as he takes my son’s hand and walks with him over to the duck pond. “I may have… introduced myself before.”
“What!”Immediate shock turns into anger, which turns into embarrassment.Of coursehe’s met my son before. It’s been eighteenteen months - six since we started dating. I can’t keep my eyes on my son twenty-four seven, despite how much I try.
That’s part of the reason why I love having Wes around so much. He can keep an eye on Beck when I can’t.
“How did this happen?” I ask, trying to calm the red flaming across my cheeks. “The duck man?”
“Mommy, he helps me feed the ducks when you go potty.” Beck innocently holds his bag of duck feed out for Wes to handle, and Wes pours a small amount into my child’s hand.
Wes doesn’t look the slightest big apologetic as he runs a hand over my son’s head. “I wanted to keep an eye on him when you’re out of sight. I know you tell him to stay inside the bathroom with you—” He smiles as my eyes widen. How much of our conversations has he been able to hear? “But he almost always wanders out. I had to make sure he was okay. So I… introduced myself.”
My anger quickly dissipates at the explanation.He was keeping my son safe. He wasn’t trying to insert himself into our lives.
Well, maybe he was a little, judging by the tiniest of smirks twitching at the corner of his lips.
“Fine,” I huff, standing from my crouch. “But you can handle the duck feed from now on! I always forget it at the store.”
Wes nods, pulling out a small pouch from his back pocket. “I know. I’ve been keeping some on hand for when you come to the park.”
This man.Laughter spills from my chest at just howridiculousthis scenario is, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. He’s perfect for my family.
Ourfamily.
Beck reaches behind him for my hand, and I take it and come to stand on his other side. “You’ve got enough for one more throw,” I tell him, watching as Wes pours the final contents of both bags into my son’s hands. “Make it a big one!”
We all laugh as Beck throws the duck feed out so far that the poor ducks are dusted with corn powder, shaking their feathers and nipping at the water’s surface for every last morsel they can gather.
Wes looks over at me and mouths the three words I love most.
I love you.
I love this, I mouth back, smiling as happiness wells in my chest.
We may not be a perfect family, but we’re perfect for each other, and that’s what matters.