Sketches in the Garden

ZACH

“Lynn, Carl. So good to see you both,” I spread my arms wide for Callum’s mom, and to my surprise, she steps into my hug.

She’s petite, not quite as small as Violet, but still tiny compared to me.

She fits a bit awkwardly against my larger frame, but she reciprocates the hug, if only for a moment, before stepping back.

I don’t think I’ll ever call her mom, but she’s beginning to accept us, which is a significant step forward.

That’s good news for Callum.

He’s leaning against the kitchen island, trying to conceal the large hickey on the left side of his neck, a memento from Violet’s fervent attention in the playroom yesterday.

That was a novel and thrilling experience.

Watching Callum take control definitely gets me going.

“Where’s Ella?” Lynn inquires, scanning the room as if her mere desire could conjure Ella.

“Right here, Lynn.” Violet enters from the garden through the open bifold doors.

She’s been outside for several hours today, sketching in the notepad I spotted on the sofa a few days ago.

She hasn’t allowed any of us to see her drawings yet, but she seems to find joy in it.

The notepad appears old and well-worn, and she’s filled most of the pages.

I guess she’s been using it for some time, which is likely why Tyler purchased replacements.

He’s always been more perceptive than me.

I’ve never seen her with it before, but then again, we’ve spent most of our time together in bed.

I’m eager to see what she can draw.

I vowed not to pry, but I had my fingers crossed when I made that promise.

“Oh my goodness, look at how much she has grown!” Violet hands Ella to Lynn, who is instantly joined by Carl, both of them fussing over our little girl.

Lola trails Violet, sticking close to her heel as she joins us.

It’s wonderful that Ella has another set of grandparents.

But I can’t help but ponder how Violet feels about her own parents.

Does she miss having grandparents for Ella?

Does she ever think about her mother back in the UK?

Does she want to reach out and attempt to mend their relationship?

Perhaps even locate her birth father?

“Hello precious one, everyone told me you looked like Tyler, but I think you are your mother’s double,” Carl says with a broad grin.

Ella looks at him silently, her gaze becoming sharper each day.

“Wow, her eyes are something, aren’t they?” He turns to us with a smirk.

“They are,” Tyler concurs. “Would either of you like a coffee or a cold drink?”

“Coffee would be wonderful, thank you, Tyler,” Lynn responds.

“Both white, no sugar?” Tyler inquires as he readies the coffee machine.

“Yes, exactly,” Carl replies, taking Ella from Lynn.

It seems our daughter has two grandfathers who are utterly smitten with her.

“How are you, Violet?” Lynn asks, sitting on one of the stools and facing us with a small smile.

Callum is still standing, careful not to turn his face to the right, and Violet is nibbling on one of the lactation cookies my mother left yesterday.

“I’m doing very well. Breastfeeding is going great. Ella loves the little cushion you sent her last week. Thank you, by the way. I’m not sure if Callum relayed the message for me?” She flicks her hair back, drawing my attention to her.

Her hair is about the same length as when we first met her, cascading in thick, red curls down to her waist.

Her hair appears healthier and more vibrant than it did a few days ago.

I never realized a simple trim could make such a difference.

“He did. That’s wonderful… I found it in our BuyBuy Baby, and I thought it would be perfect for naps while you were busy. Here darling, happy birthday for yesterday.” Lynn hands Violet an envelope, which she accepts with a tentative smile.

“Thank you so much,” she says, peeking inside and grinning from ear to ear.

“How are you, Callum? Is the business growing well?” Lynn asks.

Callum starts to turn toward her but stops himself just in time.

He’s trying so hard to hide that hickey.

It’s almost comical.

“We have our first job at the beginning of the month, Mom. And we now have nine employees. I think it’s going to go well,” he says, sounding hopeful.

I wasn’t aware they’d hired three more people.

“That reminds me, Cal. I have a surveyor and architect coming out to plan a building for your office next week. I thought maybe a home gym could go in there too and an office for Tyler and me too…maybe?”

“What? Zach, I said it would be fine to rent someplace,” Callum objects.

“It’s a waste of money when we have the land to work from home. Besides, Violet and Ella will miss you too much if you’re always in town working.” I give him a quick kiss, releasing his face when he starts to smile.

“Callum, is that a love bite I see?” Lynn asks.

Callum’s face turns a deep red under his mother’s scrutiny.

“That’s my fault. I didn’t think I’d leave a mark,” Violet jumps in, inspecting the hickey as if she hadn’t already seen it.

She turns to face us, a playful smile on her face.

She knew exactly what she was doing, and she’s proud of it.

“You know we never did get any of this when you were a teenager. Your father and I were so worried about you back then. I guess we had a blessing in disguise because at least now I don’t have to worry about you bringing a baby home as an underage teen,” Lynn says with a smile.

“Well, that would be because he was a late bloomer, Lynn,” I tell her.

Tyler laughs with me while Lynn smiles, nodding and looking relieved.

“I presumed. That and I thought he was gay. I guess I was semi-right in my musings,” she jokes, though it falls a bit flat.

“Mom, that’s not something I really want to talk about,” Callum says, looking uncomfortable.

“It’s okay, Callum. We’ve all been there,” Tyler reassures him, placing a cup of coffee in front of Lynn and then heading outside.

“Would you like to see the maternity photos?” Violet asks, breaking the awkward silence.

“Oh! Yes please, Violet.”

Callum retrieves his laptop for his mother and sets up a slideshow of the photos.

She sits for a while, smiling at the photos.

“May I have a few? I’ve started one of my photo albums for Ella.”

“Sure, Mom, I’ll buy a USB and transfer them. Dad should be able to help print the ones you want.”

“Thank you, Cal,” she says, patting his hand in a gesture that reminds me of my own mother.

The rest of the afternoon is filled with conversation, cuddling Ella, and dinner, courtesy of Catherine.

We’re all sitting in the dining room, quietly enjoying our enchiladas.

It’s a peaceful end to a lovely day.

Ella’s high chair is right here, so she can eat with Violet.

The food Violet helped cook has everyone practically moaning in delight, making my heart swell with love.

This is the life I’ve always wanted, hosting friends and family in our own home.

I never realized how much I craved this domestic bliss.

Tyler turns to Carl as we finish dinner. “You really can’t stay?” he asks.

Carl responds, “We were actually planning a game night with Carla, Jerry, and Liz.”

That’s strange, my mother usually includes us in these plans.

Could it be because Tyler isn’t speaking to Liz?

Damn, it must be because Tyler isn’t speaking to Liz.

I wonder how long this will last.

Tyler’s never been one to hold a grudge, so hopefully not long.

“Well, I hope you have a good night,” Callum says, subtly steering the conversation away from his parents staying over. It’s almost as if he doesn’t want them here.

Carl chuckles. “It seems like you don’t want us to stay, son?”

Exactly what I was thinking.

Callum tries to justify, “Ella might wake you up.”

Lynn, armed with information probably from Callum himself, counters, “I’ve heard she’s a pretty good sleeper.”

Callum sheepishly admits, “She’s had a few bad nights.”