I can’t breathe. “Yes. Most certainly yes.”

She smiled as she crawled off of me, and then she began putting her panties and sweatpants back on. I looked her body up and down, and I had the most intense feeling run through my body.

“I love you, Ari.”

She stopped and smiled as she looked at me. “I love you, too.”

She turned and walked out of the bedroom. I lay there for a few minutes and thought about how blessed I was.

I heard Ari talking to Grace and Luke in the kitchen, so I got up and headed to the bathroom to wash up. I got dressed and made my way out to join them.

As I walked into the kitchen, I stopped and watched my beautiful wife with my precious kids. Luke was helping Ari put Grace into her high chair.

“I don’t know what I would do without my big man here to help me. Huh, Grace?” Ari said.

Grace let out a giggle as Luke ran over to the refrigerator and tried to open it.

Ari picked him up and opened the door. “What do you want, little man? Want some yogurt?”

“Yes, peeze,” Luke said.

I smiled and walked into the kitchen. Grace started kicking as soon as she saw me.

I leaned down and kissed her. “Hey, baby girl.”

“Daddy!” Luke yelled. He fought like hell to get out of Ari’s arms.

She set him down, and I squatted, so he could run into my arms for a hug.

“Alwex?” Luke asked.

“You want to see Alex, buddy?” I asked.

He began nodding his head. I looked up at Ari, who smiled.

“I’ve been promising him a playdate with Alex all day,” she said.

I looked back down at Luke. “You get to see Alex tomorrow. You’re spending the night with Gramps and Grams—both of y’all.”

Luke started jumping up and down when he saw Ari setting his yogurt on the table. He pointed to his seat, so I picked him up and set him in it as I glanced at Ari. She was smiling as she made cereal for Grace.

“Are you happy, baby?” I asked her.

The sexy smile that spread across her face was all I needed to see to know her answer.

“Yes. I’ve never been so happy in my life,” she said with a wink. “Are you?”

I walked over to her and took her in my arms. I gently brushed my lips back and forth across hers. “Everything I’ve dreamed of and wanted is in this very room right now. You’ve made me the happiest man on Earth, Ari. I love you so much that it hurts. If I didn’t have you, Luke, and Grace…I’d be so lost. I love y’all so much. Nothing can ever come between us, Ari. Nothing.”

She smiled as I pulled her closer to me and kissed her. I was beginning to get lost in the kiss when the doorbell rang. I pulled away, and she laughed.

“Damn it, Johnson. You sure know how to make a girl horny, you know that?”

I laughed as I turned and headed to the front door. I wasn’t sure who in the hell it could be since our front gate buzzer hadn’t gone off. I smiled and opened the door, expecting it to be Gunner or Gramps, and then I instantly felt sick to my stomach.

“What in the hell are you doing here?” I looked him up and down.

He smiled and shook his head. “Now, Jefferson, is that any way to greet your father?”

When I heard what the man at the door had said, I almost dropped the jar of baby food.

Jeff’s dad is here? What in the hell is he doing here? How did he get through the gate?

I stood there, frozen. I quickly looked at Grace and then Luke. Luke was eating his yogurt and lost in his food. I grabbed the bowl of cereal and set it in front of Grace.

Oh Jesus, I’m setting myself up for a mess.

I walked around the corner and saw Jeff still standing at the door. He hadn’t asked his dad to come in.

“How did you get through the gate?” Jeff asked.

His dad let out a small laugh. “Well, it was open, and I just drove down the driveway.”

Oh my god. I put my hand up to my mouth as I thought about Sharon calling earlier and asking if she could stop by. I’d opened the gate, so she could just drive in. I’d totally forgotten.

Shit! Sharon’s coming over! I looked over at the clock. Jesus H. Christ, she’ll be here any minute.

I peeked in on the kids. Grace was dipping her finger in the cereal and looking at it, and Luke was eating his yogurt, still in heaven.

I walked up behind Jeff and put my hand on his shoulder. He didn’t bother to turn around.

“What do you want? Why are you here?” Jeff asked.

His father took a deep breath and slowly let it out. “I know I’m probably the last person you want to see, but I wanted to talk to you and Ellie. Your mother—”

“She’s moved on and has finally gotten over you. She’s getting married, and I seriously doubt she wants to see you.”

The sadness in Jeff’s father’s eyes almost made me feel sorry for him.

He nodded his head. “Your mother was my first love, Jefferson. I loved her with all my heart, and I still do.”

“Did you let Angie know how much you loved Mom while you fucked her behind Mom’s back?”

“Jeff,” I whispered.

His dad looked down. “It’s just…we had you when we were so young, and I was so scared. I felt like I had so much more in life to do, and I felt…trapped. Angie was my only way out. I never loved her like I loved your mother.”

Jeff let out a gruff laugh. “You sure have a funny way of showing your love.”

Just then, Luke came running out. “Daddy!” he screamed as he ran and grabbed on to Jeff’s leg.

The look on Jeff’s father’s face when he saw Luke made me so sad. I silently thanked God for my parents and their unconditional love.

“Your son?” Jeff’s dad said as his voice cracked.

Jeff turned and looked at me. I could see the confusion in his eyes.

He slowly turned back to his father. “Yes. I also have a daughter.”

Shit! Grace! I spun around and ran back into the kitchen.

As soon as I saw her, I busted out laughing. She had cereal everywhere, and she gave me the biggest smile ever.

I walked over to her and smiled down at her. “If I didn’t love you so much…”

I began cleaning her up as I heard Jeff talking to his father in the living room.

He needs to leave—like right now!

“Jeff, I need your help in here… now, please,” I called out.

Jeff came walking into the kitchen, holding Luke in his arms, and he just looked at me. “What in the fuck?” he said.

I knew it wasn’t because Grace was covered in baby food.

“I know, but listen, your mom is going to be here any minute. You need to get him out of here, Jeff—like now!”

Then, the doorbell rang.

Jeff closed his eyes. “Fuck. Me.” He turned and walked out of the kitchen.

I moved with lightning speed to clean up Grace. I heard Jeff telling his dad that he shouldn’t have just shown up like this. Then, I heard Jeff opening the front door. I grabbed Grace and practically ran out into the hallway to the front door.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw Sharon, Ellie, and Alex. “Oh no,” I whispered. We’re about to have a little family reunion.

“Um…Mom, Ells…can I talk to you outside?” Jeff asked.

I glanced over to his father sitting on the sofa. I couldn’t help but notice how sad he was. Serves his ass right for what he did to all three of them.

“Why? What’s wrong?” Ellie asked.

Ellie could always tell when Jeff was upset or worried. Nothing got by her as far as he was concerned.

“Ells…let’s just…”

Sharon looked at him as she tilted her head. “Jeff, what’s going on? Your face is white as a ghost.” She peeked over Jeff’s shoulder and saw me standing there. She smiled when she saw Grace kicking and holding her arms out for her. She pushed Jeff out of the way and started to walk in.

“Mom…really, I think it’s best if we step outside for a minute.”

“Nonsense. I want to see my grandchildren and…” Her voice trailed off as she looked into the living room. “Brian? Is everything alright?” she asked in a whispered voice.