Page 90 of Sparks Still Fly
We also have family rallying around us, supporting us, and loving us in each of their unique ways unconditionally. Eva even moved to California. She said she could hardly stand to be away from her babies for so long; she knew she wouldn’t be able to handle it for her grandbabies. Watching her be a Yia-Yia to Julia has been incredible. They have such a beautiful relationship. So much so that Yia-Yia was Julia’s first word. Dada was the second. Now I’m trying to make Mama happen. She doesn’t actually seem to know what any of these mean as she parrots everything we say, but I’m still dying to hear her say Mama.
“Dada’s right here, moro mou.” Owen walks in, arms full of grocery bags, and I let my eyes delight in the wet dream that is my husband, with his biceps flexed and tattoos peeking out. His blonde hair peeks beneath his baseball cap, and his back muscles ripple as he sets everything down. I must be drooling because he chuckles when he catches me ogling. “You got your fill, Mrs. James?”
“Never,” I shoot back without hesitation. He walks to me, fingers wrapping around my jaw as he tips my head up and kisses me so hard it makes me dizzy.
“Hey, Maevey,” he whispers against my lips. I reach up to kiss him again, but our daughter has other ideas.
“Dada! Dada!” Little hands slap the tray, now almost devoid of cereal, whereas the floor is sprinkled with it.
Owen and I both laugh at her call for attention from her favorite person. I don’t even mind the fact that she favors Owen. I get it. He’s my favorite person, too.
He lowers himself and kisses her sticky cheek with a loud smack while simultaneously placing a gentle hand on my now very swollen belly.
“I see my girls are having a good day, but how’s my boy?” He kneels next to me, bringing his lips to my belly as his hand moves over it, making Douglas push against the pressure. Once Bon and Adam had their baby girl, we asked if she would mind if we named our boy after her and Owen’s late dad, and her response was laughter mixed with tears as she leapt up to hug us both, so we knew she didn’t mind at all. Eva’s reaction was nearly identical.
“We’re all great, my darling.” My fingers play with the hair at the nape of his neck. “Did you happen to stop by Jo’s on your way out of Ojai, by any small chance?” Owen’s chuckle reverberates through me.
“I think Mama is craving honey sticks again, Jules. What do you think?”
“Ya. Mmmama.” She wiggles in her seat, making grabby hands at me. “Mama! Mama!” Immediately, tears roll down my cheeks, and I stand to pick Julia up, remembering to undo the buckle holding her in.
“Yes, my sweet Julia. Mama!” I hug her close to me, then pull back as she wiggles against me, kicking her brother in the process.
“Mama! Dada!” She makes grabby hands at Owen now, and he steps in so, we’re in a three-way embrace, our baby boy kicking gently between us all. No moment has ever felt more perfect.
