Invisible String

24

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Everything settled down until Ellie spoke, "Why did uncle Trav call aunt Tay hot? Am I hot too?"

Jason blinked like he'd short-circuited. Kylie looked like she was trying so hard not to laugh.

"Wait, wait-what?" Jason finally managed, holding up a hand. "Run that back, El."

Elliott, all of eight years old with tangled curls and one of her front teeth missing, crossed her arms. "Uncle Trav called Aunt Tay hot. Am I hot too?"

Kylie covered her mouth, then lowered her hand. "Sweetheart, when grownups say someone is hot, they usually mean they think they're pretty in a kissing way."

Elliott's nose scrunched. "Ew. Kissing."

"Exactly," Jason nodded, relieved. "You're beautiful and smart and awesome, but no one needs to call you hot for, like... a long time."

"Until I'm thirty?" Elliott asked hopefully.

"Forty," Jason deadpanned.

I, who'd overheard the whole thing while bouncing Mira on her hip, turned around grinning. "That was the best parental dodge I've ever seen."

Travis leaned over and whispered to me, "You're still hot though."

I elbowed him. "You're not helping."

Laughter bubbled up around me, and I caught Travis ducking his head like he was trying to disappear. I leaned back in my seat, still cradling Mira, who was finally content and drowsy after her feed. The ocean breeze played with my damp hair as I glanced over at Lily, who was dangling her feet off the side of the boat, chatting happily with Wyatt and Finley.

Honestly, I never imagined I'd be here-feeding one kid, keeping an eye on another, floating in the ocean half-naked with a bunch of loud kids running around.

Travis grinned and leaned in, pressing a soft kiss on the top of Mira's head. "You're doing amazing. Like some multitasking goddess out here."

I laughed and swatted his arm lightly. "Stop it. You're gonna get me blushing again. And I'm still sore from last night."

Just then, Kylie's voice called from across the boat, "Hey! I heard that!"

Jason shouted, "We all heard that!"

I rolled my eyes but couldn't help smiling. "You guys are impossible." Then I looked at Travis with a tired but warm smile. "But seriously... thank you. For making all this feel so good."

He tucked a stray hair behind my ear. "You make it easy."

Mira let out a little grunt and started squirming, done with being held in one position for too long. I shifted her gently into the baby carrier by my seat and stood up, stretching my back.

"She's ready for a nap," I said. "I think I might be too."

Kylie chimed in, "Let's get back to shore soon. Bennett's melting in the sun."

Jason stood up to start packing. "Next vacation, we're hiring a crew."

Travis added quietly, "And a nanny."

Jason nodded fast. "And soundproof walls."

Wyatt groaned dramatically from her towel spot. "Ew."

Everyone burst into fresh laughter.

I looked around at the mess-damp towels, empty juice boxes, sunscreen streaks-and felt this warm, happy buzz in my chest. Loud, chaotic, overwhelming. But it's my beautiful, imperfect chaos. And I wouldn't have it any other way.