Desiree’s birthday tomorrow was like a rude, uninvited guest, making noise while I slept, barging into the bathroom, yammering on through breakfast. I couldn’t shake it, no matter how hard I tried—and I did try. How could something so exciting feel so … unsettling? I told myself this was what we’d been preparing for. It was a good thing. A normal thing. But I’d been with her every day of her life. She lit up my world in a way no one else ever had. That’s when it hit me. Her absence would leave a Strangerville crater-sized hole in my life, and I was already bracing for it.
As if on cue, she sauntered into the kitchen, rolling her eyes and huffing.
“You’d think after all these years he’d get we’re not giving him anything.”
I glanced over my shoulder. Kooper sat behind me, whining like he’d never been fed a day in his life. Desi didn’t usually get annoyed with the dogs, which made it funnier when she did. Especially since she spoiled them the most.
My unwanted guest still wouldn’t shut up, so I leaned into it.
“So, uhhh…” I began. “Big birthday tomorrow, huh?”
“Yep.”
“What do you want to do?”
“It’s Love Day, Daddy,” she said, like that answered everything. “I’m going out with Josh.”
“Okaaay,” I said slowly. “But what about your birthday? Are you and the triplets doing something, or—”
“They are the triplets, not me. We don’t have to do everything together.”
I paused, trying to decide if that was her goading me or my anxiety flaring up.
“Okay, fine,” I said, holding my hands up. “But what are you doing? Should we book something? Are we celebrating at home? Are we even invited?”
She smiled—quick, amused. “Of course you’re invited. Can’t we just, like, bring cake to a club? I don’t want complicated. Just fun and vibes.”
“And cake.”
She nodded. “And cake.”
“I’ll find the perfect club.”
I kissed her forehead and stepped outside, heading straight for my yoga mat. Part of me hoped she’d follow. The rest of me was grateful for the quiet—as quiet as my unwanted guest would allow.
After yoga, I tended to the money tree. It had come a long way, yielding more than I ever imagined when we first planted it. Back then, Sophia and I talked all the time about Desi’s future. What we’d leave for her and the nibblings. Now, there was Logan, and that complicated things. I didn’t want to shortchange the older kids. But I also didn’t want Logan to grow up feeling like an afterthought. Then again, there was plenty of time to save up a decent amount for him. In the meantime, I could teach him how to care for the tree. That way, even if he blew through his inheritance, he’d never have to worry about money—even long after I was gone. And, with any luck, he’d teach the next generation and start a new Murillo family tradition.
It was a bit chilly out, so I finished up quickly and ran back inside. Arvin was already there, fully dressed in cowboy garb, talking about the ranch they want me to buy. I’m pretty sure the whole purpose of his visit was to make sure Uncle Moneybags was still onboard, heh.
After he finished painting this picture of their future ranch life, Desi dropped it, all casual-like.
She wanted to marry Josh.
I replayed the last 10 minutes, trying to recall if Arvin had asked what her after-birthday plans were. It caught me off guard. Waaaay off. But at the same time, it didn’t. Not really. I’d asked her enough times what she was planning next. This was the answer finally catching up to me.
“Marry Josh?” I repeated.
“Of course,” she said, as if I should have known.
“Oh, so this is life decisions day,” Arvin said, lighting up. “I’m into it. No hesitation. Just saddle up and go!”
Why was I the only one rattled by this? How could this feel right to them? I knew how she felt about him, but marriage? I didn’t want to shut her down, but I couldn’t let it go either.
“Desi … don’t you think you should wait a while?”
Her eyes narrowed at me. “Why?”
“You’re so young. And marriage is so—so big! You shouldn’t go into it unprepared. You have all the time in the world to get married. Maybe just … focus on maturing for a bit.”
She blinked at me for several moments. “You’re saying I need more time, but I don’t feel unsure. That’s kind of the point.”
“It’s giving overthinking at the gate,” Arvin cut in. “You either ride or you don’t.”
He looked between us, like he expected someone to agree with him. “I support both of you,” he added, already backing away, “but I’m out.”
He tipped his hat and left just like that.
The room felt heavier without him. Desi stayed seated, watching me, waiting for something. I could see it in her face—she’d already made up her mind. I wasn’t going to change it. That wasn’t even what I wanted. I simply didn’t want her to make—
I stopped myself. My head dropped, and I let out a quiet breath. I was doing it again. Projecting something that had nothing to do with her.
“I get why you’re worried, Daddy. I do.”
Her voice pulled me back.
“But being young doesn’t make me unprepared,” she continued.
“I know,” I said. “And I’m sorry. This isn’t about me not trusting you. It’s…” I hesitated. “It’s coming from somewhere else.”
She tilted her head. “Where?”
“Did I ever tell you about my parents’ relationship?”
“Not really.”
“They divorced when I was really young. It messed with how I saw relationships for a long time.”
She blinked, surprised.
“They didn’t know each other as well as they thought. And when things fell apart … I carried that with me. Longer than I should have.”
I let out a small breath.
“I loved your mom, but I kept my distance for a long time. I didn’t want to repeat what they did.”
I looked at her.
“My experiences shaped how I see things, but that doesn’t make them true. I know you love Josh. And I know you don’t take things lightly. If I’m being honest, I’d prefer you dated longer. But…”
I shook away the competing thoughts, telling me that I’m the parent and I know better than her.
“You’ve probably been thinking about this for a while. And you always go after what you want.”
I looked her square in the eye.
“If this is the life you want … I support it.”
She tossed me a small, yet cheeky smile. “I knew you’d get there.”
I snorted. “Okay, Ms. Smartie Pants.”
“You guys want popcorn?” Sophia called from the kitchen.
I checked the time. The Game of Llamas premiere was about to come on.
“I’m good,” Desi said.
“Me too,” I added.
Sophia came back empty-handed and plopped down next to me. The credits rolled. The music swelled. I felt it in my chest immediately. No one else, however, shared my excitement and looked at me like I was ridiculous. They were lucky I loved them.
