I arched a brow.
He shrugged. “Professional hockey player. Makes sense for me to have somewhere I can stay in shape. It’s in the basement. There’s a screening room down there, too. Shep’s a sucker for movies, so I let him have his way there.”
“Of course, there’s a screening room,” I muttered.
Cope chuckled. “Can I show you your rooms?”
“Yes! I wanna see my room!” Luca yelled, overhearing us.
It was hard to pull myself away from the beauty, the quiet peace. I could hear the creek as it babbled and fed the pond. I could’ve sat out here for hours, taking in every detail, but I forced my feet to follow my son and Cope inside.
Cope led us up a giant staircase. I immediately began decorating it for Christmas in my mind. Acres of pine garland punctuated with antique red bows. It would be a sight to see.
“My room’s right at the end of that hall,” Cope said, pointing to the left.
My cheeks flamed, thinking of running into Cope in my pajamas while getting a glass of water in the middle of the night.
“What about me?” Luca demanded, bouncing on the balls of his feet.
“Manners, Luca,” I warned.
He sent me an exasperated look. “What about me, please?”
One corner of Cope’s mouth kicked up. “This way.”
I dropped my voice. “He already thinks he’s the coolest kid known to man because you’re his chauffeur. This is going to send him over the edge.”
“I live to serve,” Cope said, a mischievous smile playing on his lips as he led us down the opposite hall and into an absolutely stunning room. The walls were a calming gray except for an accent wall that made you feel like you were living in a breathtaking black-and-white photo. It was a blurred forestscape with tall trees and a foggy, atmospheric feel.
“This issick!” Luca hollered, full-on jumping now.
“I thought you might like this one,” Cope said with a grin. “You’ve got your own bathroom through there. And this TV has a game console. Kye’s partial to gaming, so I had to set him up.”
Of course, he had.
Cope winced. “We should make sure those games are age appropriate.”
“I can tackle that,” I assured him.
Luca made a running leap onto the bed. “I’m never leaving this spot.”
Cope grinned at me, one of those devastating, truly happy smiles. I was starting to see that his most joyful moments were when he made someone else happy. That knowledge made me want to give that right back to him.
Cope turned to me, that grin still playing at his lips and making my insides do some sort of acrobatics move. “What about you, Warrior? Ready to see your room?”
More spiraling spins and dizzying flips. No, I wasn’t ready. Because as amazing as all this was, it wasn’t something I could get used to. Luca either. “Sure,” I said, forcing my smile brighter. “Luca, you want to come?”
“Naw, I wanna chill in my room,” he said, tucking his hands behind his head.
God, was he seven or seventeen? My rib cage tightened, making it harder to take a full breath. These moments with him would beso fleeting. Before long, he wouldn’t want cupcake movie night with me; he’d opt to go out with his friends instead. Then he’d be driving, at college, and gone out into the world.
Cope’s arm pressed against mine as he ducked his head. “Hey, you okay?”
I swallowed, trying to clear the ball of emotions gathering in my throat. “Sometimes I blink, and he’s had a growth spurt.”
Cope wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “Pretty sure he’s still your little boy.”
“For today, maybe,” I mumbled.
