“This is my favorite part,” Mitchell says as I jump down and land next to her.
When she turns to see what he’s talking about, I see her face pale.
“This just gets worse and worse,” she hisses, taking a tentative step to the edge to look out at the floating log bridge, which is basically a long row of logs tied individually, making them completely unstable.
“I’m going first,” Max says, attaching himself to the catch rope, and then he quickly makes his way across without stopping once. Mitchell is right behind him, and the boys high-five on the other side.
“You know how you said I owe you huge for agreeing to go to breakfast with your mom?” December asks as I attach her to the catch rope at the top of the bridge. “I think we are beyond even. Actually, I’m pretty sure you owe me now.”
“You’re probably right,” I agree. “That said, you’ve got this.”
“I don’t have a choice but to have it, since I can’t go backward, and I’m for sure not jumping from here.”
“True.” I kiss the tip of her nose that is scrunched in annoyance, leaving out that there is a ladder to get down. I can tell, even if this is freaking her out a bit, that she’s starting to enjoy herself. And what is the point of life if you’re not living it?
“Here goes nothing.” She sighs then grabs hold of both side of the bridge. Stepping onto the first log that swings under her weight, she lets out a scream and the boys laugh. She lifts her head, and I’m sure she’s glaring at them. “I don’t know how I’m going to pay you guys back for this, but just know I will be plotting my revenge.”
“Aw, just admit it’s fun,” Max says, still laughing.
“Whatever,” she grumbles under her breath, carefully moving to the next log then the next. When she’s safely to the other side, she starts to laugh, and the boys wrap their arms around her and start jumping up and down with her in excitement.
I stare at the three of them, feeling completely overwhelmed with a mixture of pride and happiness like I have never felt before.
“It’s your turn, Dad,” Max breaks the spell, and without a word, I attach my harness then walk across the bridge with the ease of practice.
“Now my favorite part,” Max says.
“What now?” December asks gloomily. “Are we jumping over a pit filled with man-eating alligators?”
“Nope, just flying through the air.”
“Oh joy,” she groans, and we all laugh as we head to the last platform where there is a zip line set up.
“Who’s first?” the kid running the line asks when we approach, and Max steps up. A moment later, he lets out a hoot as he jumps down and disappears out of sight.
Once Mitchell is gone, the kid looks between December and me, and I can tell by the way she’s holding herself that this is making her more nervous than anything else she’s done today.
“You’ve got this,” I assure her once again, checking the lines even after she’s hooked in and cleared to go. “Meet you on the other side.” I kiss her quickly then wait for her to pull up the courage to jump. When she does, her scream fills the air, and then a moment later, her laughter is bouncing off the trees.
“Girls,” the kid says, shaking his head, and then he looks at me and his eyes widen. “Sorry.”
“It’s not a lie.” I smile then let him hook me up, and a second later, I jump off and watch the trees fly by. When I reach the other side, my eyes lock with December’s happy ones. I don’t even wait for the worker to unhook me; I do it myself then take three steps in her direction, pick her up off the ground, and kiss her without thinking, listening to both boys snicker.
“Gareth.” She pulls back, sounding unsure, but I don’t set her down.
“I’m proud of you.”
At my statement, her eyes warm and her fingers touch my cheek in a silent thank you.
“Can we go eat now?” Max asks, and the woman in my arms smiles down at me then looks at my boys and shines that beauty on them.
_______________
Lying on my back in December’s bed, I lift my head when she comes out of the bathroom. I watch her walk across the room her face clean of makeup, her hair down and a clingy night gown contouring to her body. As sexy as she looks, I don’t know if I like it more than my tees she normally confiscates when she sleeps at my place. I expect her to walk around the bed and get in on the other side, so I’m surprised when she comes directly to me and puts one knee in the mattress then swings the other over to straddle my lap.