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GAGE

A Year and a Half Later

The house is pure utter chaos and joy, a beautiful cacophony that fills my heart with warmth and contentment.

Zoe, our spirited two-year-old, is the conductor of this orchestra, her laughter and chatter the melody that sets the tone for our days.

Joshua, not far behind at just over a year old, is the eager apprentice, trying his best to keep up with his big sister’s antics.

I sit at the kitchen table, a pile of paperwork in front of me, trying to focus.

But every few minutes, my attention is drawn to the living room, where Ale is playing with the kids.

She’s the epitome of patience and love, her laughter mingling with theirs as they build blocks, read books, or simply enjoy each other’s company.

“Daddy, look!” Zoe exclaims, running into the kitchen with a drawing in her hand. “I made you a picture!”

I put down my pen, giving her my full attention as she climbs onto my lap. “Let me see that,” I say, taking the drawing from her. It’s a colorful scrawl of lines and shapes, but to me, it’s a masterpiece. “This is amazing, Princesa . I’m going to hang it on the fridge so everyone can see it.”

She beams with pride, her eyes shining with happiness. “Okay, I go play with Oshie.”

I kiss the top of her head, inhaling her familiar scent. “Okay, baby. Go play and once I’m done with this, I’ll come and play, too.”

She nods eagerly and runs back to the living room, running to be with her mother and brother. I watch her go, my heart swelling with love and pride. She’s growing up so fast, my little girl, and I’m amazed at the person she’s becoming.

I turn my attention back to my paperwork, and I hear Joshua’s babble from the living room, followed by Ale’s soft coos and laughs. I smile, knowing that our son is in good hands, that he’s loved and cherished every bit as much as Zoe is.

A few minutes later, Ale enters the kitchen, Joshua on her hip, a contented smile on her face. “How’s it going in here?” she asks, leaning against the counter.

I look up from my papers, my eyes meeting hers. “It’s going. Just trying to get through this re-enlistment paperwork so I can spend the rest of the day with my favorite people.”

She rolls her eyes playfully. “You know, you don’t have to do everything at once. It’s okay to take a break and just enjoy the moment.”

I stand up, walking over to her and pulling her into a tight embrace, Joshua squirming happily between us. “You’re right, but I want to make sure everything is taken care of so I can focus on what’s really important—you and the kids.”

Ale melts into my embrace, her arms wrapping around my waist. “And we appreciate that, Gage. More than you know. But please, don’t forget to take care of yourself, too.”

I kiss the top of her head, holding her and Joshua close. “I will, pretty girl. I promise. Okay, you’ve talked me into it. Now, what do you say we take a break and go have some fun in the backyard with these crazy kids?”

Ale pulls back, a mischievous glint in her eye. “I thought you’d never ask.”

We spend the rest of the day playing, laughing, and creating memories together. Zoe and Joshua’s energy is infectious, their joy a constant source of happiness and entertainment. Ale is the perfect mother: patient, nurturing, and always ready with a smile or a comforting word.

We sit down to a family dinner, the table a colorful array of food that Ale has prepared with love and care.

Zoe chatters away, her eyes sparkling with excitement as she shares her thoughts about the water balloon fight we all had.

Joshua, meanwhile, is content to babble and laugh, his eyes wide with wonder as he takes in the world around him.

“I can’t believe how fast they’re growing,” I say, looking at our children with a mix of pride and nostalgia. “It feels like just yesterday that we brought Joshua home from the hospital, and now he’s already trying to keep up with Zoe.”

Ale smiles, her eyes soft with love. “Time flies, doesn’t it? But we’re lucky to have every moment with them. They bring so much joy and light into our lives.”

I reach across the table, taking her hand in mine. “You’re right, Ale. We are lucky. And I want to make sure we cherish every moment, every memory. Our family is everything to me, and I don’t want to take a single second for granted.”

Our house is filled with love and laughter, with the sounds of our children’s voices and the comfort of Ale’s presence. This is something I never saw for myself, and now that I have it, I can’t imagine how I could live without it—a family, a home, and a life filled with love and joy.

Later that night, as I tuck Zoe into bed, she looks up at me with serious eyes. “Daddy, are you leaving soon?” she asks, her voice small and vulnerable.

I smile, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. This little girl is smart as a tack. “Not today, but soon.”

She nods, a sad smile playing on her lips. “I’ll miss you. I love you.”

My heart swells with emotion, and I lean down, kissing her forehead gently. “I love you too, Princesa . More than words can express. Now, go to sleep and dream of all the adventures we’ll have together while I’m home.”

As I leave her room, I can’t help the lump that forms in my throat. My children and my family, they mean the world to me, and I’m so grateful to have them in my life. I join Ale in our bedroom, finding her already in bed, a book in her hand as she waits for me.

“She okay?” Ale asks, looking up from her book as I climb into bed beside her.

I nod, a soft smile on my lips. “She’s perfect. I just wanted to make sure I tucked her in right.”

Ale puts her book down, turning to face me. “You’re an amazing father, Gage. The kids are so lucky that they have a father like you.”

I take her hand, squeezing it tightly. “And I’m lucky to have them and you. Our family is my everything, Ale. My reason for being, my source of strength and joy.”

She leans in, kissing me softly on the lips. “I feel the same way, Gage. Our family is a blessing, and I’m so grateful for every moment we have together.”