“No,seriously,” Mer chimed in, nodding. “I cannot believe how smart that kid is.”
Andywrapped an arm around my waist, then said, “Don't feel bad. Vinnie has to askhim how to spell words on a regular basis.”
“Thanksfor that, sweetheart,” I grumbled, shaking my head.
Atthat moment, my brother and his husband headed through the gate and into thebackyard, with both of their girls in tow. Their shimmering, blonde hairbounced in pigtails, as they ran toward me, with arms outstretched, and Ihanded my wife the spatula to drop to the ground.
Yearsago, I had teased my sister for her role in donating her eggs and body, inorder for them to have a family. Even though I had been mostly joking, therewas a part of me then that couldn't understand how Jenna would ever be able tolook at them as her nieces, and not her own children.
Butnow, I got it.
Icould never see these girls as anything but the daughters of my brother andbrother-in-law. They had Zach's eyes and sharp wit, as well as Greyson's hairand fiery temper. They were a perfect combination of the two, and I loved thehell out of them. And I loved that I could be here, free from the shackles thathad once bound me to my addiction, to be the best uncle I could be for them.
“UncleVinnie, do you have presents for us?” Nat asked, flashing me her trademark doeeyes.
“Yeah!”Kat bobbed her head wildly, wrapping her arms around my neck. “Do you havepresents?”
“Isit your birthday?” I asked.
“No,”they replied in unison.
“Isit Christmas?”
Theygiggled. “No!”
“DoIlooklike Santa Claus?”
“You'renot even fat!” Kat laughed, shaking her head.
“Then,hell no, I don't have presents. Do I look like I'm made of money?”
“You'remade of skin and bones and guts,” Nat informed me, so matter-of-factly.
“Andblood,” Kat whispered, grimacing.
Takenaback, my eyes widened as I looked up to Zach and Greyson, as they came tostand by the grill with Andy and her sisters.
Greysonshot my brother with a look that could kill. “Someonelet them watchChild'sPlay.”
“Excuseme, cupcake, but I didn't let themdoanything,” Zach fired back,crossing his arms over his chest and hardening his glare at his husband.
“Oh,okay, I'm sorry. I just thought inviting them into the living room, while youwere watching Chucky movies, was basically the same thing as saying, 'Here,girls, come on in and get scarred for life.' But I guess I was wrong.”
“Ididn't think they would pay attention,” Zach replied through gritted teeth,forcing a smile as his daughters looked up at their bickering fathers.
“Oh,are you new to this fatherhood thing?” Greyson whispered. “Newsflash, babe:they'realwayspaying attention.”
Istood up slowly, eyeing both men, and asked, “Yo, is there trouble in paradisehere? Do I need to call my shrink and give you's a referral?”
Zachsighed and shook his head, as he wrapped an arm around Greyson's shoulders.“No, we're all good. It's just been a long ride, and Thing One and Thing Twoover here wouldn't stop talking about killer dolls, and I kinda hate myselfbecause of it. But we're fine.”
“Good,”I replied, clapping a hand against his upper arm. “Now, let's eat.”
***
Aftereveryone had gone home and Zach, Greyson, and the girls had gotten themselvescomfortable in the guest room, I helped Vincent get ready for bed, while Andytook a shower. Once his teeth were brushed and his bedtime story was read, Itucked him in and got ready to finally say goodnight.
“Daddy,”Vincent said, as I sat on the edge of his bed.
