She looks over at me, sees Zack, and we share a smile.
A small moment.
But it’s perfect.
Our whole lives are perfect, so that’s not saying much.
I guess some men just win the lottery.
I hit the goddamn jackpot with Kat.
I tug my eyes back to the pool, where the girls have managed to climb atop the float and are giggling as they attempt to balance on it, but then Scrappy clambers on and it shifts to the side, causing all three of them to fall, Scrappy yapping out his laughter for the whole world to hear.
“Ahhh,” Zak cries, leaping out and clubbing me on the arm with the plastic weapon.
“You evil caveman,” I laugh, turning to him and placing my beer on the table. “Now you’re really going to pay.”
“Daddy, you’re supposed to fall down,” our four year old cries. “Mommy, tell him.”
“Is that right?” I grin.
He nods seriously, his mop of brown hair bobbing up and down.
“Okay, then,” I say, creeping forward. “Then I guess we’ll both fall down.”
He squeals in laughter as I pick him up, take a running-up step, and then launch us both into the pool.
We both break the surface of the water, laughing and filled with sun and brightness, as Kat and Markus exchange a they-are-crazy look and Scrappy swims over to give us a good lick and the girls take this as their chance to finally clamber atop their inflatable.
Life.
Perfect, glittering, glorious life.
And it’s ours, all ours.
I love my family.
I love my Kat, so much.