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“Have a good nap, sweet boy,” Hollis says, waving at him

In the kitchen, Iwith Hollis and Tina, I opt for the rocking chair in his rooive the ladies so around them I feel like an outsider as I sit and listen to them talk about old times and people they know There is a jealousy that comes to life when I think about her life before Milo and me It’s irrational, but I can’t seem to stop it

“We have her future, buddy,” I whisper to oing to ive you a brother or sister Maybe both,” Imy heart

I can’t believe I could havemy life to the Army that I missed these connections Sure, I had the of my son’s tiny fist wrapped aroundlike the love you have for your child I never could have drearin, a wave, a first word It’s allall of his firsts

Then there’s Hollis She’s everything I never kneanted To know that she loves me makes me feel ten feet tall and bulletproof Even more to know that she loves oes deep Soul capturing Life-changing

“We’re going to ht ti in ave it to her for Christift for a holiday I want it to be its own occasion A et

Milo sighs heavily as the bottle falls fro, and I won’t be able to hold hi I can’t wait until he’s walking and talking row up and see thehim to rest on my shoulder, I close my eyes and rock for a while Life is sometimes fast, and especially these past feeeks, with the holidays and finding out the truth about what Hollis witnessed It’s good to slon and enjoy life That’s exactly what I a to do today“Shh, let’s not wake Daddy” I hear Hollis whisper

“Mmmom,” Milo says in his soft baby voice

“Oh, my sweet boy I love you You know that?” she whispers to hiht lifted from my arms “You and your daddy, you mean the world to me,” she murmurs

Slowly, I openwith Milo held close to her chest Her eyes are closed, and o

This is it