Page 133 of Ashes

“That he is,” I said, making our way there too.

Sienna had a day off today and I’d planned on taking our kids to the park so she could sleep and enjoy a relaxing morning.

Guess that’s out the window now.

The thump of his feet hitting the hardwood floors followed by the slam of doors bursting open and cracking against the wall echoed in the house.

Since his legs were still short, his sister and I got there just as he flew to the bed and climbed on. Sienna rose from her sleep at the intrusion and opened her arms wide to welcome him.

“Mom!” he squealed, trying to wrap his arms around her neck.

“Morning, my beautiful son,” she said over the sound of Selim’s giggles as she peppered a million kisses on his face.

“Selim, your shoes,” I reprimanded him.

“Sorry, Daddy,” he apologized and pushed against the heels of his slip-ons to remove them, letting them fall on the floor.

Selena let go of my hand and joined them in bed as I stood at the door and watched my wife scoop both of our children in her arms.

This was easily my favorite view.

My entire world was looking right back at me. This was a family I’d longed for, dreamed of, and I’d never felt more complete than at this moment.

“Morning, princess,” she said to our daughter as she gave her a kiss on her cheek.

“Morning, Mommy.”

They both snuggled on each side of her and she looked over at me, beaming.

I grinned, my heart expanding to the point of hurting from the happiness I was experiencing. I was the luckiest person in this world.

“What do we think about Daddy joining us?” she asked both of our children.

I didn’t need to be told twice.

I crawled into the bed and placed my hands on either side of her face, caging my wife in. Then I put my weight on her and pressed a kiss on her lips, conveying that I’d teach her a lesson later for calling me Daddy in front of the kids.

Selena groaned next to us and I turned my head to look at her.

“You know,” my daughter announced, her palm shielding her eyes, “kissing is gross, Baba. You and Mamashouldn’t do it in front of us.”

“Oh, yeah?” I asked, pressing another kiss on Sienna’s lips. “We kiss to show affection and love.” I sat on my heels. “Just.” I inched closer to her. “Like.” I moved another inch closer. This,” I finished before darting for her. I scooped her up in my arms and rolled onto my back, tickling her ribs and smothering her in kisses.

She squealed. “Okay, okay,” she huffed out, her laughter increasing.

I stopped and snuggled her, sandwiching her between her mom and me. Her laughter subsided and she reached for her brother’s hand, tangling her fingers to his and bringing him closer to whisper something in his ears.

Whatever she told him wouldn’t lead to anything good. They were great kids, but when they combined their minds together, they were outright mischievous.

I looked over Selena’s head and found Sienna staring at me, her chocolate brown eyes full of happiness.

“I love you,” she said.

“Jamais plus que moi,” had barely left my mouth when our kids jumped and attacked us with kisses.

Guess our trip to the park would have to wait.