held Milo in my arms. This little boy was depending on me to make a life for him. The bed moved. JerRic put his finger close to Milo's little hand. Milo clasped it.
“He likes me.” JerRic smiled.
“He loves you.” I placed a kiss on my son's forehead.
“How old does he have to be to teach him stuff?” JerRic turned to me.
I shrugged. “I’m an only child. Well, I was for 17 years. You’re the big brother.”
JerRic laughed. “Good luck, Milo.” He tenderly touched his head. “Neither of your parents knows what they're doing.”
I started laughing. Milo made a face. I leaned towards JerRic slightly.
“Don’t make me laugh.” I shook my head.
“I don’t make promises I can’t keep.” JerRic kissed my temple. “I love you, Beth. I’m sure this parenting thing will work itself out. If all else fails, I’ll just copy off you.”
“This is not a homework assignment. Milo is an 18 year commitment.” I hissed.
“No.” JerRic shook his head and huffed. “But... it is a group project.” He pointed at me.
I laughed again. Milo wasn’t happy. I let out a deep breath.
“Here. You hold him, since you keep making me laugh.” I put Milo into JerRic’s arms and got up. “I’m going to go to the bathroom.”
“Okay.” JerRic’s eyes were focused on Milo.
I came back to find JerRic singing Milo a lullaby. I stood in the doorway watching him. A sense of blessing and peace fell on me like I had never experienced in my life. At that moment, I realized that I was the grownup. That was my husband. That was our child. This was our life. We may have started out playing house, but it had already turned into so much more.
JerRic gently got up. He smiled when he saw me. “Hey.”
“You’re really good at that.” I whispered, so I wouldn’t wake our son.
“Get the door for me?” My husband whispered back.
I nodded and opened the nursery door. JerRic gently put Milo in his crib. I carefully walked over. Milo was perfect in every way. I touched two of my fingers to my lips and blew him a kiss. He was already deep in slumber land.
JerRic and I walked out of the room and quietly closed the door.
“Now, what?” He shrugged.
“If a baby naps, I think that means we nap.” I nodded.
JerRic nodded. “That makes sense.”
I walked back to the bedroom, fell into bed, and covered up. JerRic closed the door and joined me. It took me less than a minute to fall asleep.