My eyes scanned the space that had her shelves and desk pushed into the center of the room.
“You changing the layout of your office? Why didn’t you wait for me to get here and move this stuff around?”
“Actually, I was thinking about moving some of it into my room and putting the rest in storage. I don’t really need a home office to grade my little nuggets’ work. I just need the shelves for my books, and those can go in my room.”
“Okay,” I stretched, stepping further into the room. “Where’s this coming from? What else do you plan to do with the room?”
Clearing her throat, Jayla cupped her hands and twiddled her thumbs. She avoided my eyes as she confessed, “Miley asked me to be her mommy earlier.”
“Oh wow.” I released a shaky chuckle as I stepped directly in front of her. “That was random.”
“Yeah, she was telling me about her grandma’s house and spending time with her aunt and uncle soon and . . . it caught me off guard. I asked questions for clarity, and she made it clear that she wanted me to be her mommy since hers was gone.”
“And what did you say?”
“That I was sorry about her situation, and I’d love to be a mother figure to her. I made it clear that I’d be here for her for the rest of her life if she’ll let me.”
Cupping the back of her neck, I pulled her into my chest, and she crumpled against me.
“How many times have you cried since then?” I asked, instantly feeling her cheek lift before I heard her laugh.
“Too many to count. I was truly honored that she asked me that. Baby, I want them. Here. I know it’s small and not permanent, but I at least want to have space for them to chill and sleep when they come over. I’m hoping I can convince Sonny to let me have them on the weekends, at least for the summer. Iknow they’ll need more structure once the schoolyear starts, so whatever he and Pearl decide will be fine but?—”
“Hey.” I palmed her cheek and gently forced her to look into my eyes. “That sounds like a wonderful plan to me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve had to remind myself they aren’t my kids. That Mateo isn’t my son.” I paused as my head tilted and eyes watered. “I don’t know what it is about them that’s connected us to them, but it has. So whatever you want to do with them, I’ll help you.”
“Yay!” she cheered before sniffling and clapping. “Okay, so I know there’s a significant age difference between them, and the more I think about it, maybe one can have this room and one can have the loft. It’s smaller but a cool space.”
As she rambled on, I stared at her in awe. I always knew Jayla would be a wonderful mom, and seeing her so invested with Miley and Mateo made me want to propose now and put a baby in her.
“What do you think?” she asked, pulling me back into the present moment. I wasn’t sure what else she’d said, but it didn’t matter. Not for me to say what was on my heart.
“Yeah, I think that would work. You said Miley likes forts, so I think she’d love the loft. But um, I was just thinking of a more permanent solution.”
“What’s that?”
“I buy us a home with enough rooms for all of us.” Her lips parted slightly, but when she remained silent, I realized I’d rendered her speechless. Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her closer. “It’ll be big enough for you to have your office and reading space, my game room, a home theater, and one room for each of the kids. They can sleep over as much as Sonny will allow, and you won’t have to stress yourself out over if they will be comfortable or not.”
“You’d do that for us?”
“Of course,” I confirmed through my chuckle. “You’re going to be my wife, and we’ll have our own kids eventually. For now, they are like our kids. I want them in our lives just as much as you do, so if we can be allies for Sonny so he won’t be so overwhelmed, I’m willing to do just about anything.”
Jayla licked her lips and wiped two tears before almost whispering, “Can we have a pool?”
The innocence of her question and voice caused me to release a hearty laugh. “Yes, pooh. We can have a pool.”
“I love you,” she cooed, wrapping her leg around me so I’d pick her up.
We stood there, kissing and holding each other for a while before finally heading to the kitchen. Jayla insisted on cooking alone, so I let her have that. When she was done, we enjoyed a delicious meal at the island. I wouldn’t take no for an answer when I offered to clean, but that led to us singing Al Green and dancing around the kitchen. Having her in my arms at the end of the day was something I wanted every day for the rest of my life.
After our impromptu old school music session and slow dancing, we went into the living room. Before we found a movie to watch, she straddled me and started to hum a slightly familiar song. It was one that I’d heard her play and sing over the years, but I’d never paid enough attention to the lyrics until now.
“Waiting . . . for peace of mind. I don’t need no frills . . . just need your heart,”she sang, almost hummed, in that low voice that soothed my soul the first time I heard her sing. Jayla’s speaking voice was like that of a hummingbird, and when she sang, that sweet melody was magnified.
As she continued to sing about needing a solid partner that wouldn’t bend or break, that we could be whatever we wanted, that we’d make it through whatever together, I realized why she’d always played that song around me. Still, I needed to hear her say it. So when she finished singing, I asked?—
“What song was that?”
“It’s ‘Solid’ by Savannah Ré.”
