“I’m not your blushing bride,” I remind him as he carries me over the threshold to his place.
He chuckles. “You should be.”
I roll my eyes as River moves through the living room. He doesn’t set me down until we reach the center of his bed. Our bed, now that I’m officially moving in.
“You need anything?” He kisses my forehead. “Water? Tea?”
I shake my head. “I’ll just oversee this unpacking process.”
He chuckles. “I got it, babe. Jas packed up everything she thinks you’ll need.”
“And she can come sleep here every time you have an away game?” I ask for the third time. It’s strange to be moving out during the last two months of senior year. Jasmine and I had a plan, a vision, for graduation that doesn’t pan out with me being on partial bedrest in River’s condo.
“And even when I don’t,” he assures me.
I grin. “Thank you, River.”
“I got you, Lola,” he gives me his signature line.
“Hello,” Dad’s voice calls out. “Anyone home?”
“We brought dinner!” Maisy chimes in.
“Good because I’m starving!” I holler.
Dad and Maisy enter the bedroom. Dad frowns, clearly hating the visual of me in River Patton’s bed. Maisy sweeps me up in a hug, snuggling next to me. “A tray of lasagna and one with chicken marsala are in the kitchen.”
“Mmm. I have been craving Italian.” I lean back against the pillows, resting a hand on my stomach.
“Bean has good taste,” Maisy says.
“What can I help with?” Dad asks River.
River stands up straighter, as if taken aback by Dad’s question. I clear my throat and Maisy coughs, both of us trying to hide our smiles.
“I need to put together a new dresser.” River moves toward the closet. “Want Lola to have her own space, her own drawers,” he explains.
Dad grunts.
“I’ll go get us tea and popcorn so we can watch the show,” Maisy whispers.
“You’re the best,” I tell her.
Dad and River drag out a box that looks way too small to hold a dresser. When they open it up, I snort at the number of wooden pieces, packets of bolts and screws, that need to be assembled.
Maisy returns and we munch on snacks, watching as Dad and River try to find their footing in their new, complicated dynamic.
But, as the most important men in my life, they both make a valiant effort. I smile, taking a sip of my tea, as I watch them build a dresser.
“They’re doing great,” Maisy whispers beside me.
“Bean’s a lucky little girl,” I whisper back, knowing in my heart of hearts that River is going to make one hell of a girl dad.
Just like mine.
The rest of senior year passes without a glitch. River and I settle into our new normal. I take my final exams. Dad and I resume our weekly breakfast dates. And River and the Thunderbolts make it to the Western Conference finals before losing to Edmonton.
“We’ll get it next year,” River says with his usual cockiness.
“I’m sure you will,” I agree. After all, two years ago, the Thunderbolts were one of the biggest underdogs in the league. Now, they’re a powerhouse.
“Don’t make his head any bigger,” Cullen warns.
River tosses a grape at his brother’s head. Cullen catches it easily and pops it in the air. Without missing a beat, Leanne catches it in her mouth.
I laugh as River whistles loudly.
“Dinner is served,” Gayle announces, entering the dining room with a large serving platter, filled with roasted turkey, between her hands.
“Smells delicious,” I say.
She smiles. “I’m glad to hear you say it. I couldn’t eat meat at all when I was pregnant with Cullen.”
I shake my head. “I’m hungry all the time.”
“You look amazing,” Leanne reassures me.
Ken fills wine glasses and places one in front of me. He winks. “It’s sparkling cider.”
“Thanks, Ken,” I say sincerely.
Over the past few months, we started having weekly dinners with River’s family. While the first few interactions were strained, with so many shifting dynamics, they’re now a favorite part of our routine.
River is closer to Gayle and Ken than he’s ever been, and Leanne and I hit it off easily.
The hardest part of moving to California is leaving our family behind. As excited as I am for the opportunity to work for a tech company in Silicon Valley, I also think we’ll be back. Not only because River plays for the Thunderbolts but because too much of my heart is here, in this city, with these people.
I want that for Bean. Friends and family and a loving support system more than I want the flashy job title or the independence I used to crave. After all, what’s more empowering than bringing another life into the world? Then nurturing and loving and guiding my daughter, with her father, and most of her grandparents, as a constant?
“Please pass the gravy,” I ask. Cullen reaches over and drizzles some on top of my turkey.
“Thanks, Cullen,” I say.
He nods. “What are you guys doing this weekend?”
“Well,” River says, looking at me.
“It’s my graduation,” I say.
“Oh, that’s right!” Gayle clasps her hands together.
“Dad’s having a barbecue at his house afterwards. It’s a graduation party and a moving away send-off all in one. I’d love if you all came,” I invite the Sullivans.
“We’d be thrilled,” Ken answers.
“Yeah, we’re in too,” Leanne says easily.
Under the table, River takes my hand in his and squeezes. I glance at him and smile. He gives me that lazy smirk I love.
But his eyes convey the things he doesn’t say aloud.
We’re doing it. Creating a family, building a future.
We’re doing it all. Me, you, and Bean.
Together.