Page 66 of Off Limits Daddies
"God." Mia's expression softens. "Those poor kids."
"I couldn't say no."
"Of course not." She touches my arm briefly. "You did the right thing."
The pizza arrives, and getting five children to the table is like herding cats. Sophie insists on sitting next to Mia. Ethan positions himself beside me. The twins flank their mother, and Maya takes the head of the table like a tiny hostess.
"Can I have two slices?" Rory asks.
"Me too," Corey adds.
"If you eat them both," Mia says.
Dinner is loud and messy and surprisingly wonderful. The kids chatter over each other, sharing stories and jokes. Maya tells the twins about her school, and they tell her about their apartment complex. Even Ethan contributes a few words, mostly about his rabbit.
I watch Mia across the table. She's laughing at something Corey said, helping Sophie with her napkin, completely at ease in the chaos. But there's something in her eyes, something distant that wasn't there this afternoon.
After dinner, the kids return to their fort-building while Mia and I tackle the dishes.
"You okay?" I ask quietly, handing her a plate to dry.
She glances at me, then back at the sink. "Yeah. Just had a blast from the past earlier. Nothing serious."
The way she says it, casual but with an edge, tells me it's more than nothing. But I don't push. Whatever it is, she'll tell me when she's ready.
"If you want to talk about it," I offer.
"I know." She gives me a small smile. "Thanks."
We finish the dishes in comfortable silence, the sounds of children's laughter drifting from the living room. When we return, we find all five kids sprawled on the floor, drawing on a large piece of paper Maya found.
"It's a map," Maya explains. "Of a magical kingdom."
"With dragons," Rory adds.
"And princesses," Sophie says firmly.
I settle on the couch, and Mia sits beside me. Not touching, but close enough that I'm aware of every breath she takes. We watch the kids create their imaginary world, their heads bent together in concentration.
This is what I didn't know I wanted. This warmth, this noise, this feeling of rightness that settles in my chest as I watch Mia laugh at something Maya says. The way she helps Sophie hold her crayon, how she listens to Ethan's quiet explanation of where the dragon's cave should go.
This feels like family.
The thought should terrify me. Instead, it feels like coming home.
"We should probably get going," Mia says eventually, checking her phone. "It's getting late."
The twins protest but gather their things. Maya hugs them both goodbye, making them promise to come back soon. Even Ethan waves.
I walk them to the door. "Thanks for coming. I think the kids needed this."
"We did too." Mia's eyes meet mine. "Text me if you need anything. I mean it."
"I will."
She herds the twins into the hallway, and I'm about to close the door when Maya appears beside me.
"Noah?" She looks up at me with those too-wise eight-year-old eyes. "Is Mia your new girlfriend?"
