I pull up to Teaganne’s townhouse and climb out of the truck, opening all the doors to save time. Silas is the first one out of the front door with his football gear in hand. He runs straight to me. I toss the bag into the bed of my truck and then get him situated in the booster seat. “Are you ready for this game?” I ask.
He’s grown so much in the last few weeks. It’s like I blinked and the next thing I knew, he was a different kid. The same thing with Seraphina. Little league football is one of the highlights of my days now. Watching Silas and his friends learn to play the game has been so rewarding. It’s reminded me to appreciate the little things in life. That was something I had forgotten years ago. Silas though shows some exceptional skills on the field. I’d even go out on the limb and say he’ll be the next football legend for Blue Ridge, but then again, I am a little biased. “You know it! We’re going to win!”
I pat his head. “Yeah, we are.”
“Keefer!” I hear from behind me. When I turn around, I see Seraphina rushing towards me. She is a mini version of Teaganne. A feisty fashionista ready to take on the world at three-years-old. She had her birthday last week. Being a part of that was the best thing. It also gave BeeTeag Planning the perfect place to show off just what they can do. I grab her once she’s near me. “How is my favorite ballerina today?”
Seraphina beams at me. Now, she is truly great at dancing even her teachers, who are not biased, say so. “She’s awesome, duh!”
I chuckle and get her into her seat. “That was a silly question.” She sticks her tongue out at me and I do the same.
“Both of you stop that right now. Seraphina, it’s not nice to stick your tongue out at people and you,” she says, in a scolding ‘mom’ voice while pointing her finger at me. “Should know better.”
I shut the door and grab Teaganne from around the waist, pulling her into me. She gasps, caught by surprise. “You can punish me later for being a bad boy,” I tell her, before I kiss her as if she’s the oxygen supply to the world, then again, I guess she is mine.
When we pull away from one another, her cheeks are flushed and she runs her finger around her lips to make sure her lipstick hasn’t smudged, but all it does it make me want to kiss her again. She rolls her eyes. “You are so much trouble.”
“Some things never change darlin’.” I tell her, with a wink and smirk.
“Let's go!” We hear from inside the truck. Both kids are eager to get on with this day. This afternoon we have a football game with Silas. Tonight is Seraphina’s first dance recital. Tomorrow, Warbee and Rocker officially tie the knot and next week is Thanksgiving. I help Teaganne up into the truck.
Autumn was always my favorite. Football, apple spice everything, and the freshness in the air. I know this time next year I’ll be marrying my best friend and legally becoming the father I was meant to be to Silas and Seraphina. Autumn brings on a change to the Earth, but also to us all. Last year, it was a change for Rocker and Warbee. This year was Teaganne and I’s chance. Who knows what will happen next, but I do know that no matter what, I get to spend the rest of my days with the three people I love the most. What more could I ask for?
