The black nylon dress that was included in the kit fits me surprisingly well, considering I bought it at the craft store. I smooth it over my hips and stand up straight, admiring my reflection. Ever since that night in Dev’s car, I’ve felt better about how I look. Not that I was overly paranoid or down on myself before, but I’m not so worried about my mom-bod now. Because this mom-bod can do it in the backseat of a car and make a man sing!
I think Dev worked some serious sexual healing on me or something. Crazy, I know, but why fight it? I’ve spent most of my life doubting myself, so it’s nice being able to feel confident and relaxed for a change. I think my week at Bourbon Street Boys has also helped. They’re a great team of people to work with professionally, and fun to hang out with, too. I’ve stopped in every day this week, although most of my work has been done at home. Between stolen moments in the warehouse with Dev and late-night phone calls after the kids were in bed, I’ve found this space of contentment with him. Every night we’ve spent hours laughing over shared jokes and the idea of future dates, planned for when we can both wrangle babysitters. It’s kept our budding relationship exciting and fresh, something to look forward to. We have to take things slowly because of our situations with the kids and work, but sometimes slower is better. It builds the anticipation.
The Blue Marine job being over doesn’t mean my work is done, thankfully. I already have another case ready to start on Monday. This one should be interesting; it involves an identity theft that was brought to the company by the local police department.
“Are you coming down, or am I coming up?” Dev is at the bottom of the stairs. His voice makes me tingle all over. I’ve only seen him a few times at work because he’s been busy with Jacob, but when I have, the looks between us have been practically smoldering. I can’t keep from smiling and nearly giggling every time he’s within ten feet of me. I’m sure everyone on the team has noticed. May says that Dev is acting different too. She’s never seen him smile so much. I do a little cha-cha move in front of the mirror in celebration of my awesome life.
“I’m coming down. Just putting on the finishing touches.” I’m still a little nervous about one thing, though. Our kids are together again for the second time, and I worry that one of my little monsters will say something insensitive to Jacob. We’ve talked extensively this week about him and his medical condition, but the natural curiosity of children will eventually win out, I’m sure. It’s just a matter of when and how they do it that has me on edge. The last thing in the world I would want is for Jacob to feel bad when he’s with my kids.
I turn from my reflection. It’s not going to get any better than this. I need to face the music, go downstairs, and see the guy that I’m seriously crushing on.
I go down the stairs and arrive at an empty foyer. The voices are coming from the kitchen now. I follow the sounds and stop in the entrance. The kids are gathered around the giant bowl of candy I have on the table, picking through it, arguing over which kind is the best. Jacob is at the head of the table, looking like he’s in charge of the group.
Dev looks up and catches me watching them. He smiles at me. “There she is. Finally.” He exaggerates his impatience so the kids will pick up on it, and they don’t disappoint.
“Finally,” Sammy says, rolling his eyes. “You took forever.”
“That’s the longest you ever took to get ready for Halloween,” Sophie says.
Busted.
“You look pretty, Mommy,” Melody says.
“Thank you, baby.” I blow her a kiss and then stick my tongue out at Dev.
Dev winks at me. I shake my head. There is absolutely no way a mom can be cool when her kids are there to tell all her secrets.
“Who’s ready to go trick-or-treating?” I ask.
A chorus of voices rises up so loud, it makes my ears ring.
My kids are all costumed up, but when I look at Jacob, all I see is a pair of green pajamas with black magic marker scribbles all over them. There’s also a single stuffed green sock dangling from each of the four corners of his wheelchair.
I smile at the little guy, hoping my expression is encouraging. “Wow, look at you.”
“I’m a crocodile,” he says.
I nod. “Crocodiles are awesome. A crocodile can defeat a bull shark. Did you know that?”
He nods. “Yes. My dad told me, and then we looked at a video on the computer.”
“The rest of his costume is out on the porch,” Dev explains. “It was too big to wear in the house.”
“Oh. How exciting. Too big? Let’s go get it on, shall we?”
Sophie runs out of the room, yelling as she goes. “I want to see it first!”
“No, me!” Melody is the next one gone.