Chapter Text
“And we put the seed in the little hole and gently smooth the dirt over it,” Kate explained to her four-year-old son as she planted a sunflower seed.
“Like this, Amma?” Neddy asked as he dropped a seed inside the soil.
“Yes, beta, just like that.”
“And then we cover the seeds with the dirt so they can sleep,” he said, gently patting the soil on top.
“So they can sleep?” Kate couldn’t understand the logic behind her son’s statement.
“Yes. When I go to sleep, you cover me with a blanket. You said I must get my rest so I can grow big and strong like Appa. I am covering the seeds so they can grow big and strong too.”
Kate couldn’t fault Neddy’s reasoning. “You are right, my darling.”
“Amma?”
“Yes?”
“How long will it take the seeds to grow?” Neddy asked, his eyebrows furrowed. He had a tiny divot forming in his forehead just like his father’s, and Kate reached out and stroked it with her fingertip as if she could rub it from his head.
“Well, as long as we remember to water the seeds, they should sprout in two weeks.”
“How many fingers is that?” Neddy asked.
Kate laughed and replied, “All of your fingers and at least four toes.”
“That’s so many!” Neddy’s eyes widened as he looked at his hands and then his bare feet. “How big will the sunflowers grow?”
“Hmm. Maybe two and a half to three meters.” Kate raised her hand above her head to indicate the approximate height.
Neddy gasped. “That’s taller than you!”
“Yes, very tall. Before that happens, though, we need to finish planting the seeds.”
Neddy got to work dropping a seed in each little cup before covering them with soil as Kate observed him. Once he had filled the seed starter tray, Kate placed the clear plastic cover on top before picking it up.
“Okay, Neddy, now we need to find the sunniest place to set the tray so the seeds will get enough sunlight.”
“Here, Amma?” Neddy stood next to the patio doors.
“No, let’s put them here.” Kate carefully set the tray at one end of the patio table. Neddy pressed his hand on the top to make sure it was secure.
“You did a good job helping, beta.”
“I did. Can I have a snack now?”
“Let’s wash your hands first.”
They walked toward the door but before they could enter the house, Anthony stepped outside.
“Appa!” Neddy rushed to his father, who picked him up easily and kissed the top of his head.
“Neddy! What are you and Amma up to today?”
“We planted sunflowers! See?” Neddy pointed to the tray.
“Ah,” Anthony said as he walked over to look at their work.
“Amma says they’ll grow taller than her. Will they grow taller than you too?”
“Maybe,” Anthony replied. He walked back over to Kate and kissed her cheek. “Is Milo sleeping?”
“Yes,” she replied, “although if he sleeps much longer, he’ll never go to bed tonight.”
“Best wake him then.”
They walked back into the house together, Anthony carrying Neddy to the kitchen sink while Kate went to the boys’ room.
She slowly opened the door, peeking inside to see that yes, Milan was still sleeping. She quietly stepped in and stared at him for a moment. Both boys had inherited Anthony’s ears, but other than that, Milan was Kate all over.
Kate thought back to her life before Anthony and the boys. Never had she imagined she would know such joy. Such belonging. She had been content with her life, but she had also been weary. Ever since her appa died and Kate stepped in as the de facto head of the family at age eighteen, she’d focused on what was best for her step-mother and little sister.
She deferred university for a couple of years and instead worked two jobs to help make ends meet after the hospital bills started coming due. Her step-mother, who succumbed to her grief for awhile, slowly returned to herself and her life, and then Edwina, her little sister, started secondary school. Kate was reluctant to go away to university, but her mother and sister insisted.
Still, her old habits stuck with her. Kate remained aloof and focused solely on getting top marks while working part time as a barista in a coffee shop just off campus. Her days were filled with classes and under-caffeinated customers; her nights were filled with textbooks, essays, and keeping up with her family over FaceTime. She was lonely, although she would never admit it to herself.
Then one day, a handsome stranger came into the coffee shop, ordered a double espresso, and left with her phone number. Kate and Anthony had been inseparable ever since.
Kate was so distracted by her thoughts, she didn’t notice Anthony had joined her in the room until she felt his arms wrap around her from behind as he pulled her to his chest.
“Neddy?” she asked.
“Eating some goldfish crackers and watching Bluey.”
“Not too many goldfish, I hope.”
Anthony gave her a squeeze. “No, not too many.”
Kate sighed as she relaxed against him. “He’s getting so big. They both are. Milo’s going to need a big boy bed soon.”
“Yeah.” Anthony kissed the side of her head, then released her before stepping over to the crib. “Wake up, sweetheart,” he said as he gently rubbed Milan’s back.
As she watched him pick up their son, Kate felt even more love for the man who brought wonder back into her life. Who had given her his unconditional love, support, and two beautiful sons.
Anthony brought Milan over to her, and she leaned in to kiss his chubby cheek.
“Amma. Nee?”
“Neddy’s watching Bluey. Let’s join him,” Anthony squeezed Kate’s hand. “Come with us, love?”
Kate returned the squeeze and said, “Always.”