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Madison rolls her eyes, but she’s laughing. “Sure you are.”
The three of us sit there in the golden light of the setting sun, laughing and talking. We are just enjoying ourselves, and I like how far we’ve come. Aurora can be around us without making comments or faces. It feels like she’s truly accepted us.
“Well, baby says it’s dinner time,” Madison announces, standing up and attempting to brush the sand off the back of her legs. “Let’s get going.”
Aurora waves. “I’m going to hang out here a while longer. See you guys later. Let me know how your appointment on Tuesday goes.”
“I will! Bye!”
I take Madison’s hand, looping my chair over my other arm, and we stroll to the car.
“Wow. This girl is super eager about something. She’skicking again. Feel.” Madison places my hand on where the baby is moving, and I feel a kick immediately. I smile and then lean down and talk directly to her stomach. “Hey there, little one. Are you trying to get out? You need to bake a little more first, okay? Patience.”
Madison is laughing as I stand up.
“I love you,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to the top of her head.
“I love you too.”
“I can’t wait to meet her. I can’t wait to see what kind of parents we’ll be. I hope she’ll like surfing. I wonder if they make baby-sized surfboards.”
I laugh. “If they do, you’ll be the first to buy one. Anyway, we’re going to be great parents, and she’s going to be one lucky little girl.”
“I feel like the lucky girl.”
I squeeze Madison’s hand as we reach the car. Then, I pull her into my arms, and we stand next to the car embracing like that for a long moment. Sometimes, I just feel so much love for her that I don’t know how to express it. Watching her coach the kids, in her element, is one of those times.
Finally, Madison pulls away. “If Aurora leaves the beach and finds us still standing here, she’ll have something to say.”
“She always has something to say.” I give Madison one last kiss before opening the car door for her. This is the future I’ve always wanted. Madison and this baby are my forever.
The End