Micah ooohhed and awwwed when Jared hiked him higher in his arms.
Ethan stood beside them, his face practically plastered to the glass outside the white tigers’ enclosure, trying to get a better view of the two cubs rolling around batting at huge hanging knotted ropes.
Mel stood behind them, manning the massive stroller Andi had left for them to use. It was handy for storing all the toddler and little boy paraphernalia, but it was a pain to lug around.
With the seat empty, no less, because their two-year-old charge preferred to be held or walk on his own. Whined when his bidding was disregarded.
“No!” and “I can do it!” had become the mantra for the morning, and well into the afternoon.
She swallowed back a yawn. They’d left at seven-thirty to make the drive in to Fort Worth, and despite nestling in her husband’s arms all night, she hadn’t slept much.
“Your family is beautiful.”
The voice had her head turning, and her gaze rested on an older woman watching Jared and the boys instead of the big cats.
“It’s always nice to see an involved father.” The pleasantly plump woman wore an outfit that screamed Golden Girls. Her hair was groomed in typical Texas big style and her smile was sweet.
Mel didn’t feel like explaining, so she flashed a return smile and thanked her. Plus, her gut ached a little. It would be a long time before she and Jared could take their own children to the zoo. If they ever had any.
Her husband waggled his eyebrows over his shoulder. Evidently he hadn’t been so absorbed with the tigers or the boys.
“So handsome, too. Lucky lady.” The older woman reached out and patted Mel’s hand, which rested on the stroller handle.
Jared grinned.
She wanted to roll her eyes—like her man needed help with his ego—but she just agreed politely. Was relieved when an older gentleman collected her. He wore a cowboy hat and boots and offered a nod.
“Okay, guys, let’s go see the elephants,” Jared said. He put Micah in the stroller, and for once the little boy didn’t protest.
“Yay!” Ethan jumped up and down, then slid one of his hand in Mel’s.
Micah rubbed his small fist against his eye and relaxed into his seat.
“Uh oh, someone’s tired.” Her husband dropped his voice and made eye contact with her.
“Thank God,” she whispered.
“Am not,” Micah announced. The high pitched toddler tones mixed with such vehemence made her smile again.
“How did he even hear me?” Jared chuckled.
“C’mon, Aunt Mel!” Ethan tugged her hand.
“Whoa, take a breather, buddy. Aren’t you tired?” her husband asked.
He shook his head, his auburn curls floating.
“Of course not,” Mel said.
“No more sugar!” Jared waggled his finger in Ethan’s face, and the little boy giggled.
“I like cotton candy.”
“Too much,” she said.
“Are you having fun, Aunt Mel?” Ethan cocked his head to one side as he studied her.
“Yes, sir. Now, let’s go. We have some elephants to see.”
He jogged ahead as they started to move, but they let him, since he wasn’t far.
Jared admonished him to stay close. Then sidled up and kissed her cheek.
Mel leaned into him and sighed. “Thanks,” she whispered.
“You okay, baby? You’ve been awfully quiet today.” He slid his arm around her as they walked.
“I am. Glad the boys are having fun.”
“Hmm, but what about you? You didn’t just lie to a child, did you?”
“You or Ethan?” She laughed at her husband’s mock-glare.
“Well, at least I made you laugh, even at my own expense.”
“That’s usually the best kind.” She winked.
“Hey!” He clutched his black T-shirt over his heart, but the grin he flashed made her melt a little.
Mel felt a little guilty for her desire to go home as the day wound on, but when they finally called it a late-afternoon, they had two tuckered out little charges.
Micah fell asleep before his car seat was buckled, and even Ethan was yawning as she helped him in to his booster.
The little boy flashed a sleepy smile as she reminded him to buckle up. Like his little brother, the first-grader liked to do things himself, and he could handle the fasteners on his booster.
“Did you have fun, buddy?” she asked.
“Yup!” He clutched a stuffed zebra close that Jared had bought. Ethan had saved his tired tooth fairy money at her husband’s urging.
Micah’s giraffe lay on his lap, tucked in one small hand, even as he slept.
She straightened, then shut the back door to her Kia SUV.
Jared was at the back of the car. He’d already unloaded the stroller, and was folding it like a pro.
“Need help?” she asked.
“Nope.” He threw a smile at her as he made the last fold and lifted the behemoth thing into the back of the SUV. “Today was great.” He closed the hatch.
Mel nodded.
“We can totally handle this parenting thing.”
“They sure wear ya out, though,” she said.
“Says the kindergarten teacher.”
“That’s different.”
“Yeah?” He chuckled and pulled her to him. Jared brushed his mouth over hers.
She kissed him back, but pulled away before she got lost in him. They had the boys, after all.
He caressed her cheek, then glanced at his watch. “It’s almost six. Wanna grab something to go instead of hitting a restaurant? They’re both tired. With Micah that means grouchy and whiny.”
“Same goes for Jared, too.” She smirked.
“Hey!” He slapped her bottom and she yelped. Her husband beamed. He kissed her hard and fast. “So, let’s get home, get them bathed and in bed. Watch a movie maybe?”
“Sure. As long as there are no more minions.”
Jared laughed. “I meant a grown-up movie after the boys go to sleep.”
“You’re on.” Mel grinned. She got in the car, glancing at the boys as she reached to snap her seatbelt on.
Ethan had fallen asleep, just like the toddler.
She and her husband exchanged another smile. “Thanks for today,” she whispered, feeling much lighter than she had last night.
He arched an eyebrow as if to say, ‘what for?’ but his dark eyes shone with understanding and love.
She relaxed into her seat.
Maybe her husband would have three sleeping passengers before they got home.