Page 67 of Wood

“Stop it,” I say, standing and grabbing his hand to pull him up. “Wash your face, I got your cheek.” I shove my now howling husband to the tiny wet bar sink.

“Aww, you got me a wet bar, too, damn, I love you,” he makes to kiss me and I spin him around.

“Cum. On your cheek.” I land a smack on his ass. “Such a bad boy.”

He finally collects himself enough to wash up, then I drag him by a hand into the kitchen to introduce him properly.

Carolyn takes one look at us and collapses onto a chair, laughing. Which sets Geoff off again.

“I will be on the deck when you two are done,” I growl. This just makes them laugh harder, and I close the French door behind me.

I step outside and am greeted with the shrieks of delight from my nephew and niece as they leap into my pool. Our pool. The twin seven-year-olds wave wildly when they spot me.

“Uncle!” They squeal and I resist the urge to cover my ears. Their vocal cords are in perfect working order. They climb out of the pool and I brace for impact as they throw their wet little arms around my waist so I am an Uncle sandwich. For a reason I no longer remember, if ever knew it, they only call me “Uncle”.

“You got married!” Darcy squeals.

“Mama told us,” Justin agrees.

“I did, yes,” I lift my hand where my ring sparkles in the sunlight.

“Whoa!” Darcy gasps.

“Dude,” Justin agrees, pulling my hand close to his eyes to see. He needs his glasses to see up close, like his grandmother. My mother, whom I have not spoken to in twenty years.

“Can your husband come and play?” Darcy giggles.

“I’m sure he’d love to, peanut, run in and ask,” I reply.

They scamper into the house, and I have a moment alone to take in the calm beauty. I step to the rail and watch some Canada geese diving in the pond.

“COWABUNGA!”

The enormous splash is followed by two smaller ones and more shrieks of delight. Carolyn follows, carefully staying far from the mayhem.

We lean against the railing, watching the people we love the most in the world just… playing.

“He is good with them,” she laughs as Justin is sent sailing over the water from Geoff’s toss.

“He likes kids,” I reply. “Still kind of a kid himself.”

“I love seeing you happy, Ben,” Carolyn says, rubbing my shoulder.

“He has made me happy, sis.”

Darcy’s turn to fly through the air and splash. She comes up sputtering, with a delighted, beaming face. “Again!” she squeals.

“My turn!” Justin objects.

Both kids go flying.

“You and Geoff thinking about kids?” she asks in a soft voice.

Geoff’s now making motorboat sounds as he spins with a kid hanging off each arm.

“Not yet,” I reply, watching the man I love. “Hard while I’m still touring.” I shrug. “We’ll see when I retire.”

“No rush,” she says. “Enjoy being married for a while.”