Page 60 of Conan
“You're welcome. Now, let's go grab some grub so we can hit the backroads,” Xavier suggests.
Marcum, unbeknownst to us, paid for one of the kids’ favorite arcades to be rented out for the day. The club and our kids will be the only ones there, and it allows us to be us and not have to act a certain way.
The boys worry about that, representing us and are always on their best behavior whenever we take them out and about in town.
We’ve told them that they don’t have to do that. We only want them to be themselves and make no apologies for it. But with us being the only ones in attendance, that’s a stress they won’t feel.
One day, they’ll loosen up, but they’re still trying to sort out what their roles are outside of the younger kids' keepers. At the end of the day, they’re still teenagers and should be able to act accordingly.
As the night winds down and I watch our men ride around the streets with the boys, Luna and I glance at each other and smile.
I’m not sure what she’s thinking, but what’s ruminating in my mind is that my life finally feels complete.
I have the family I’ve always longed for and I’ll fight tooth and nail to keep them—all of them.
When a butterfly lands on my shoulder, I whisper, “I’m finally home, Daddy. You can stop worrying about me and move on now. I’ve found my forever and I’m happy.” Once that last word leaves my mouth, it flies away and disappears into the sunset.
“Love you, Demi.”
“Love you too, sis.”
We lean our shoulders against each other and watch as our boys and men weave around each other. Brooklynn’s nestled in my arms, fast asleep, and Hadley is picking flowers, delivering each stem she’s plucked to Luna.
My life may be hectic and chaotic, but it’s mine.
Perfectly imperfect, just the way I’ve always dreamed.
THE END
