“Well, now, how can I saynoto that?”
Cameron giggled. “I’m hoping you don’t.”
“Do you want to talk to the kids first?”
“If I wasn’t already in love with you, that question would have sent me falling headfirst into love with you.”
Melanie’s love and care for her kids was more than Cameron could have ever expected in a partner. She knew they were Cameron’s number one priority and was still okay with coming in after them. Cameron wanted to stay kissing Melanie in the kitchen, but knew it wouldn’t be long before the kids were ready for bed.
“Come here.” Pulling Melanie into a hug, Cameron kissed her forehead. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
“I’ll meet you upstairs, okay?”
“I’ll be waiting.”
After another kiss, Cameron reluctantly left Melanie in the kitchen. She found the kids on the couch lost in a game on the PlayStation. Jonah made eye contact with her, pausing the game in the process. He and Dylan looked up at her.
“Everything okay, Mom?”
“Yeah,” Cameron smiled, trying to ease any worries the kids might have. She sat on the coffee table in front of them. “I just wanted to ask you both a question. And know upfront it’s okay to tell meexactlyhow you feel, okay?”
“Mom,” Dylan’s expression looked borderline annoyed she’d interrupted their game if anything, “we don’t care if Aunt Mel stays over.”
“Yeah,” Jonah shrugged, “we were already talking earlier about how we assumed she was since she didn’t leave when everyone else did.”
“And that’s okay?” She made sure to make eye contact with both of them. “With both of you?”
Dylan shrugged, looking to Jonah to answer for them. Which he did.
“Mother,” he smirked as he sat up on the edge of the couch, “Dylan and I want you to be happy. And if sleepovers with Aunt Mel make you happy, then do it so we can get back to our game, please.”
Cameron couldn’t hold in her laughter if she wanted to. Her kids truly were the best and she didn’t care if she was biased. She hugged and kissed them both.
“I love you babies so much. I promise you we will have a deeper discussion before anything else happens, okay?”
“Like Aunt Mel moving in?” Dylan’s question seemed innocent enough, but Cameron wondered if the kids had talked about it before. She thought for a moment about how to respond, but Dylan continued first. “Because that would be fun.”
“Well, that’s good to know, Dill.” Cameron tried not to sound too excited that Dylan wanted Melanie to move in. They hadn’t talked about that step yet, and Cameron wasn’t sure they would anytime soon.
But it would be great to fall asleep in Melanie’s arms every night.
Cameron shook her head. It wasn’t the time or place for those conversations. Not yet, anyway.
“Just remember if at any time you want to talk to me about Aunt Mel, our open communication stays the same always, okay?”
“Okay,” the kids answered in unison.
“I love you both.” She kissed Jonah on the forehead first, then Dylan. “Thank you for making my birthday so fun. I had the best day with both of you.”
“You’re welcome, Mommy.” Dylan hugged her neck, holding on longer than usual. Cameron didn’t dare let go, knowing one day her baby might not want to be as affectionate as she was now. She kissed her forehead once more.
“I love you, Dylan.”
“I love you too, Mom.”
“And I love you, Jonah.” Another kiss for her eldest, who pretended to be annoyed. Cameron knew he was pretending by the way he leaned into it at first. “Goodnight, babies. Don’t stay up too late.”
