Christ, the love for these kids defies every universal law.
They're turning one next month, and what a rollercoaster it's been.The endless nights were brutal, but we found our rhythm.Now, watching them grow, seeing their personalities emerge - it's everything.
I settle on the floor, placing both kids down.True to form, Axel immediately makes a beeline for his toy box, laser-focused on finding his train.But Harley?She clings to me like a baby koala, refusing to let go.
"Harley, honey.Daddy is staying," Alisha says, sitting beside us and stroking our daughter's back.
"Dada," Harley insists, arms locked around my neck.My precious angel.When I tickle her sides, she erupts in belly laughs, her whole body squirming.The sound of her giggles mixed with Alisha's laughter fills the room.Even Axel glances over, curious about the commotion, before returning to his serious business with the toys.
"Come on, Harley, let's go downstairs.I brought presents for you and your brother."I stand, hoisting my little girl - who's now fascinated with my hair - over my shoulder.
"Cole, you're spoiling them."Alisha scoops up our son, giving me that look that's half exasperation, half love.
I lean in, stealing a kiss from those pouting lips."Tonight, I'm spoiling you."
She rolls her eyes, but I catch the flush in her cheeks."Actions speak louder than words, Walker."
I chuckle at my spicy wife as we head to the living room.Settling on the couch, I watch Alisha place Axel next to his sister.Their matching expressions of curiosity as I pull out the gift-wrapped presents make my heart swell.
The moment I place the first gift in Harley's lap, Axel's face scrunches in that way that warns of incoming drama.Sure enough, he lunges for his sister's present, yanking it away and triggering an ear-splitting scream from Harley.
"Axel, give your sister her present back."
He juts out that bottom lip - the same one his mother uses on me - but his grip on the stolen gift loosens when I produce another wrapped package.Harley, my clever girl, seizes her chance to reclaim her prize.
"This one's for you, buddy."Axel's hands shoot out eagerly.
"Dada?"Harley's already attacking her wrapping paper, tongue poking out in concentration.
I hand Alisha the last gift-wrapped box, and Axel tears into his with the single-minded focus he applies to everything.Those green eyes go wide when he sees the picture."Mama!"
"Yes, Daddy bought you more cars."
My boy and his cars - a love affair that started the moment he could grasp things.Alisha places the two toy cars on the hardwood floor, pushing them gently.Axel's giggle is pure joy as he scrambles down, crawling at top speed toward his treasures.He lifts the red race car, beaming at me with pure adoration.
"Dada."That one word, filled with such trust and love, melts me completely.
Meanwhile, my little princess needs help with her gift.Her face lights up when I reveal the interactive puppy, and the moment it flaps its ears and makes a sound, her giggle fills the room.She hugs it close, already in love.That's my Harley - all heart, just like her mother.
My girl's always been the vocal one - first to say Dada and Mama, now chattering non-stop from dawn till dusk.I set her down next to Axel, and she immediately starts telling her new puppy an elaborate story in her own language.
Settling next to my wife, I pull her close."My heart was bankrupt without you guys."
We watch our kids play, content in each other's warmth, until a distinctive odor reaches us.I scoop up Axel, car still clutched in his iron grip, and head upstairs.On the changing table, I'm wrestling with a fresh diaper when disaster strikes.
"Oh shit!"I yelp as warm liquid hits my chest.Alisha's laughter rings out behind me as Axel continues his impromptu fountain display, soaking us both.
Click
"This one's going in Axel's one-year photobook," my wife announces between giggles, phone aimed our way.
She comes to my rescue, helping clean our boy while Harley sits on the floor, deep in conversation with her new friend.When I try to take Axel's car to clean it, he lets out a wail that could wake the dead.
"Axel, you're getting it back when it's clean."
But reasoning with an eleven-month-old is pointless.The second the car returns to his grip, the crying stops mid-screech, replaced by happy car noises as he zooms it across the floor.I rub my neck, exhausted but happy.
"Welcome home, honey."Alisha kisses my cheek, eyes dancing with mischief."Time for coffee."
