Oliver pointed.
“That's pretty.”
“Thank you.”
Then he pulled something from his pocket.
A cheap plastic bracelet.
Green beads.
One crooked yellow star.
He held it out.
“For you.”
I smiled.
“Why?”
He looked toward Sophie.
Apparently she had been involved.
“Because you're my sister's mom.”
My throat tightened.
“Which sister?”
He looked offended.
“Sophie.”
Obviously.
I crouched.
“Yes.”
“I am.”
“And Max's mom.”
“Yes.”
“And Ethan's.”
“Yes.”
He thought.
“Are you my mom?”
Every adult within ten feet stopped breathing.
Dawson looked horrified.
Ryan froze.
Megan's eyes filled.
I looked at Oliver.
“No, sweetheart.”
He nodded.
“Okay.”
Then:
“But we're family?”
I smiled.
“If you want us to be.”
He considered.
“Okay.”
Then handed me the bracelet.
“Family bracelet.”
I put it on.
No drama for him.
He ran away toward the cake.
The adults remained frozen.
Finally Dawson exhaled.
“That went better than family court.”
I laughed.
So did Megan.
