When we were ready to make the move, Evie needed a four-wheel drive instead of her little car. Let’s just say she was less than pleased when I showed up with her new Range Rover. From the outside it looked like any other vehicle of its kind, but what the average eye couldn’t see was the bulletproof windows, doors, and tires. The switch that allowed you to electrify the door handles and the ability to create a smoke screen. However, it was the yellow yield sign that read “Precious Cargo on Board” that got me out of the doghouse on that one.
“Max,” Vee called up from the playground below. “Come join us. Alex wants his daddy.”
Yes, my first born was named Alex, short for Alexei which was my undercover name back then. Vee thought it would be funny and she wasn’t budging no matter how many times I put my foot down. “If I have to live off the grid in a secluded area then you can humor me and let me have the name Alex.” She had a point.
“Coming beautiful.” I set my coffee mug on the table beside me and walked to the end of the patio where the stairs led to the ground level. When I reached the bottom, Alex jumped off his swing and came running for me. Scooping him up in my arms, I kissed his wind-blown cheek. “Having fun little man?” I asked.
“Snow angel, Daddy. Can we?”
Setting him down beside me, we both laid on the ground and moved our arms and legs in and out. Standing up I looked back at our creations. Where my masterpiece looked like a snow angel, Alex’s was just a hot mess. Vee had him wrapped up in so many layers before putting on his snowsuit that he reminded me of little Randy Parker inAChristmasStory. His angel looked like a blob.
“What a beautiful snow angel,” Evie told Alex. He clenched his teeth together and opened his lips wide. This was Alex’s way of smiling big but to be honest, it looked nothing like a smile.
“Andy play more, Mom?” Alex asked.
“Not today, son. How about we go in and get some hot chocolate and warm up?”
“Chocolate!” Alex exclaimed. “Yay,” and he took off running toward the door to the house.
Evie walked behind Alex, with Andy on her hip. My heart was full. Twenty years ago, I lost my brother and dad. Sixteen years ago, I lost my mom. Never had I ever thought I’d have a wife and kids. I knew I was destined to end my life alone. I fought my feelings for Evie with everything I had in me. But sometimes, your destiny has been waiting for you your whole life. You just need to reach out and take a chance.
“Hey, wait up for me,” I called as I ran to catch up to my family. My life. My future.
…THE END