Luna's POV

I was surprised that Tate was that blunt, confessing his feelings as if it was no big deal.

I was even more surprised at the butterflies that swarmed in my stomach as I comprehended what he was saying.

I thought I was angry about Marissa for Rhydian's sake, but maybe I was a bit jealous.

I pushed those forbidden thoughts aside. Things have not changed since high school. He is still in a gang. Hell, our situation has actually gotten worse because Tate is now their leader.

"I am going to see how Rhydian is doing." I stood up.

"Wait," he grabbed my wrist. I ignored the warm tingling feeling I got where our skin connected. "You know Marie had a mental breakdown. You have to stay here where I can protect you and our son." He pleaded.

I have to admit that I am much less irritated at his mere presence as I was when I thought he was bringing girls around Rhydian.

"We'll stay one night, Tate, but if she's not in custody by tomorrow morning, we'll have to make other arrangements." I compromised.

Tate frowned, obviously not thrilled with my decision, but he nodded anyway.

Rhydian came running back in the room. "We're gonna be late for soccer!" He shouted in horror.

"Whoa, slow down there Speedy." I reached for him and sat him on my hip. "We can't go today."

"Why not?" He pouted.

I thought about what to say. Should I tell him it was dangerous? Should I lie and said his game was cancelled?

Tate saved me from having to answer. "Because we're having a super fun day of awesomeness!"

Rhydian grew quiet as he thought it over. Slowly, he nodded. "Okay, I guess."

"How about we have your soccer game here?" Tate asked, trying to be the good guy, as usual.

Rhydian giggled. "We can't play inside!"

"I don't think that's a good idea." I butted in, looking at all the expensive breakable things in his apartment.

"Don't be a spoilsport Mommy." Tate teased.

I sighed, a bit annoyed. This is how it always is when it comes to co-parenting with him. He gets to be the fun one, while I have to be the one to set boundaries and rules.

Tate saw my unamused face. "Rhydian, why don't you be on Mommy's team and I'll be on my own team?"

My face softened at his attempt to include me.

"I'm gonna go get my ball!" Rhydian smiled and ran off to his bedroom.

Tate started moving furniture out of the way.

"Something is going to get broken." I commented.

He glanced at me before focusing back on his task. "Then help me put stuff away. He's only going to be young for so long, Luna. Soon enough he'll be a moody teenager who wants nothing to do with either of us. He still want to hang out with us. I say we enjoy it while we can."

I was surprised at how insightful Tate has become. "When did you get wise?" I pulled a glass cat statue off of the coffee table.

"I grew up, I guess." He shrugged.

Together, we made the living room into a mini soccer field. Tate put electrical tape on the floor to represent where the goals were.

Rhydian came back into the room with tears streaking his face. "I can't find my ball. I ruined super fun day of awesomeness."

"Hold up, I have an extra." Tate pulled a new soccer ball from the hall closet and tossed it to Rhydian. "That's one Christmas present down." He mumbled so only I could hear it.

I smiled. It's July and he's already started his Christmas shopping.

*

"Goal!" I yelled and hoisted Rhydian into my arms. He giggled and wrapped his little arms around my neck as I ran laps around the living room.

"You know good sportsmanship is very important." Tate said amused.

"That's something only losers say." I stuck my tongue out at him.

I placed Rhydian back down on the ground. "Yeah, loser." He jumped around.

Whoops, maybe I shouldn't have said that.

"Alright, alright. If that's how you guys want to play..." Tate pretended to pout.

"I'm the goalie!" Rhydian yelled and ran over to the goal.

Tate picked up the ball and placed it in the middle of out makeshift field. "Ready?" He murmured. His face was close enough that I could feel his breath fan over my face.

"Are you?" I shot back.

"I've been ready since high school."

I didn't even get a chance to interpret what that meant before he kicked the ball away from me. I chased after him. My socks made me slide around on the hardwood floor. I crashed right into Tate and we both fell. He turned us, so he was the one to take the brunt of the fall.

I tried to catch my breath, but looking right into Tate's eyes did not help.

How can he be the same, yet so different at the same time?

I've seen Tate take calls from work before. The cold look that takes over his face is actually quite frightening.

But right now, the way he is looking at me, reminds me of how he'd look at me when we watched Netflix movies in high school. Which is the real him? Can they both be him?

"Mommy!" Rhydian complained. "There's no tackling in soccer! Now he gets a penalty kick!"

I rolled off of Tate and stood up. There's a child in the room, Luna. Pull yourself together.

"Don't worry, Daddy has no chance of winning, no matter how many penalty kicks he gets." I looked down at Tate who was still on the ground.

"You are so mean to me." He joked.

*

After Rhydian and I won, we all sat down for an ice cream break.

He had just finished scooping out Rhydian's cookie dough ice cream where there was a knock on the front door.

Tate walked over and answered it. He came back a couple seconds later with a grocery bag in one hand.

"Chocolate chip mint?" He asked and pulled my favorite ice cream out of the bag.

"You sent someone to buy me ice cream?" I asked in disbelief.

He just nodded as if it wasn't a big deal. "How many scoops?"

"Just hand me the carton and a spoon." I answered. To hell with my diet."

"So, how's preschool?" Tate asked our son.

Rhydian put his spoon down, which meant he was about to spill some tea. "Well, Macy jabbered on and on about her night for a long time during circle time. Then, she started crying because her parents are getting a divorce. My Mommy and Daddy aren't even married, and I don't cry about it! She talked for so long that Mrs. Rick said that there was no time for me to share about my night!"

"Macy is used to her parents being together. Divorces can be scary for some kids. It can be a big lifestyle change." I tried explaining. "Mommys and Daddys fight sometimes and even move away during divorces. How would you feel if I started fighting with Daddy?"

Rhydian has a very expressive face. I could tell the second he understood. "I would feel scared. So, Macy's Mommy and Daddy don't like each other anymore?"

"There are lots of reasons that parents get divorced." I went on. "I think Macy could use a friend instead of a meanie who is angry that he didn't get his turn during circle time."

"I know!" He smiled. "I am going to tell her about my weekend with my mommy and daddy! Then, she'll know that parents don't have to be married to be family!"

"I think that's a good idea bud." Tate patted his head. "Go take your bowl into the kitchen."

Rhydian ran out of the room.

"You're such a good mom." Tate's eyes were full of admiration. "I would have just told him to rant on for a long time next circle time, so they don't have time for Macy's turn on Monday."

"Tate!" I laughed. "That's so bad."

Rhydian came running back into the room.

We've been co-parenting since he found out I was pregnant, if you would include attending ever doctor appointment as a part of that. However, this is the first time that I've felt like the three of us were one happy family.