Page 103 of Knights Like These
“Yes,” I say.
“Yeah?”
“Yes, Arch. Obviously yes.”
He exhales. His whole body loosens with it. Then he picks me up—lifts me clean off the floor, one arm under my thighs, the other around my back—and I laugh into his neck, my arms around him.
“I love you,” he says into my hair.
“I love you. Now put me down.” I laugh.
A small voice comes from the doorway. “Why is Daddy holding Auntie Syd?”
It’s Lily, in her unicorn pajamas, holding Jeffrey by one leg, surveying the kitchen.
Archer puts me down. “Lil. Got some news.”
“Did you win something?”
“Sort of.” He gazes at me. “Auntie Syd just said she’d marry me.”
Lily processes this. Jeffrey dangles, forgotten.
She takes one careful step into the kitchen. “So is Auntie Syd going to be our mom too?”
Oh.
The bowl of strawberries on the counter goes a little blurry. I press my face into Archer’s neck because if I look at her right now, I’m going to fall apart.
Archer’s hand tightens on my back. He clears his throat once, then again, because he’s got the same problem I have.
“You already have a mommy, bug. Mommy’s still your mommy.”
“I know that.” She says it like he’s the slow one in this conversation. “But Auntie Syd lives here. And she does my braids. And she packs the snacks. So can she be a mom too? Like,also.”
I lift my head. She’s watching me, completely calm, like she’s asking what’s for lunch.
“Yeah, baby.” My voice comes out wrecked. “If you want me to be.”
“Okay.” She nods once. “But I’m still calling you Syd. Mom is too many letters when I’m in a hurry.”
I laugh. It apparently only makes sense in four-year-old logic. “Whatever you want.”
“Cool.” She holds Jeffrey up for me to kiss, and I kiss him on his felt nose.
“Will there be like a wedding wedding?”
“Yes,” Archer and I say at the same time, grinning at each other.
“Will I get a dress?”
“You’ll get a dress,” I say.
“Will Luke have to wear a tie?”
“Uh, I guess so,” Archer says.
“Luke is gonna hate that.”
