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RYAN
I was the happiest I’d ever been. Tinsley was in love with me, with all of us. She wanted me to be a part of her life and our son’s life and today, today was the day I would meet Lucas and start building our relationship.
Tinsley’s mom and Lucas would be home around eleven. We made plans to meet up at one after she got her mom off to the airport. We’d be going to do one of my all-time favorite things from childhood, putt putt golf.
I felt my stomach doing cartwheels as I pulled up to the miniature golf course and arcade. I was not normally a nervous guy, but I was meeting the most important person in my life. And he didn’t even know that yet.
We’d decided to let nature take its course. If it felt right, we’d tell him. If not, we’d wait and let our relationship continue to grow before we introduced the subject.
I saw them waiting out front for me and my heart skipped a beat. There he was, my perfect boy. And dang if everyone wasn’t one hundred percent right about him being my little twin. He was my spitting image.
As I walked toward them, Lucas’ eyes got as wide as saucers. “Dr.
Harris Rutledge! What are you doing here?” he asked in amazement.
“Actually, I’m here to see you buddy,” I replied. “Only you can call me Ryan. That’s what my friends call me.” I gave Tinsley a little wink and she beamed at me.
“Mom, you know Dr. Rutledge, I mean Ryan, that’s so cool,” he said.
“Yes, you know how mommy’s been working with the studio that makes his movies. But actually, Ryan and I have known each other for a
very long time. We both grew up outside of Chicago. We even went to high school and college together,” she said with a smile.
“Wow, mom, you’re even cooler than I thought,” he replied and ran towards the entrance.
“So far so good. Your reputation clearly precedes you,” she said with a laugh.
“I just hope the real me isn’t a let-down.” I said as I held the door open to let her by me. Lucas was already at the ticket counter where the attendant was letting him pick out the color of ball he liked best.
“Here it is, my favorite color, icy blue,” he said as he pulled it from the bucket.
“That’s my favorite color too. It matches my eyes. Well, your eyes too I guess,” I said looking at Lucas’ sweet face. “I’ll have to go with my second favorite color. The color of your mom’s eyes.”
“That’s my second favorite too!” he said excitedly.
“Wow bud, we have a lot in common,” I said ruffling his hair as he looked up at me with a brilliant smile.
“We sure do!” he said and raced towards the first hole.
As we made our way through the putt putt course, I could hardly believe my luck. Lucas was such a great kid. He was smart, polite and super funny. He was also full of cool trivia. Tinsley had really raised him well. Not that there was any doubt in my mind about what a great mom she was.
When we got to the eighth hole, Lucas turned to me and asked, “do you mind helping me with this shot. I’m not sure how to line it up.”
“Sure, big guy,” I said. Lucas and I approached the green and I talked to him about the angles and how he could use the bumpers around the hole to his advantage. Then I stood back and watched with pride as he got a hole in one.
“Holy cow!” he exclaimed. “Did you see that, Ryan? I got a hole in one.
I’ve never done that before, have I, mom?”
“No sir, you haven’t. I have never been able to explain the shots to you the way Ryan just did. You know geometry is not really my thing,” Tinsley said with a laugh.
Lucas went on to get three more holes in ones now that he had the concept down. We decided to celebrate with milkshakes. As we made our way toward a picnic bench to sip our shakes Lucas turned to Tinsley and I.
“I don’t mean to sound ungrateful cause I know I just got to go to Disney, but this has been one of my best days ever,” he said.
“For me too buddy. I really appreciate you letting me spend some time with you and your mom today,” I said.
“Can I ask you a question?” he asked. “Sure thing,” I replied.
“Is this what it’s like to have a dad?” he questioned sweetly.
I looked at Tinsley and she nodded, tears brimming in her eyes.
“Actually buddy, that is one of the things we hoped to talk to you about today,” she said.
“Wait, are you my dad?” Lucas asked with a bright smile. “Would you like it if I were?” I asked.
“Would I ever, that would be amazing!” he replied gleefully.
Tinsley turned and looked at Lucas and she took my hand. “Yes Lucas, Ryan is your dad. I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you before.”
“Okay, that settles it,” Lucas remarked. “This is absolutely the best day of my life.” And he threw his arms around both of us. Now I was crying too.
We sat that way for a few long minutes and then I felt Lucas begin to shift.
“Dad, can I have my milkshake now before it melts?”
“Sure thing, son,” I said and before I knew it, I had tears running down my face all over again.
–
We made our way back to my place where the guys were set to meet up with us. We’d stopped by Tinsley’s house to pick up a few things so that they could spend the weekend at my place.
When I was in Utah and found out about Lucas, I’d had my decorator turn one of the spare rooms into a space just for him. It was decorated floor to ceiling with Falconi gear, and I’d loaded it with trivia books, science kits and legos. I couldn’t wait for him to see it.
“I have a surprise for you buddy. Well for both of you really,” I said as we walked in.
“Wow, your house is incredible,” Lucas remarked.
“Thanks bud! Why don’t we go upstairs so I can show you your surprise?” We walked upstairs and I pointed to a door. “Check it out!”
“Holy cow!” Lucas said when he walked in the door. “Is this my room?”
“Yes buddy. It is. I hope you like it.” I said.
“It’s perfect,” he replied and sat down and immediately started on one of the lego sets.
“Hey bud, before you get wrapped up in that lego set, there’s one more thing,” I said.
“Sure dad, what’s up?” My heart still skipped a beat hearing that.
“You see this necklace that I’m wearing around my neck?” Lucas nodded. “Have you noticed that your mom has a bracelet that says the same thing?”
Lucas looked closer, then he squinted. “Semper familia? What is that?” “It means “always family,” I explained. “Your mom and I both have one
to signify that we’re your parents. I have one for you too, so you’ll never forget that you’re our son and how much we love you,” I said pulling the jewelry box I’d had wrapped up in Utah.
“Wow! This is awesome. My own dog tags,” Lucas exclaimed.
“Ryan, this is too much. You didn’t have to do all this,” Tinsley said, wiping tears from her eyes.
“I know but I wanted to. I want you both to feel at home when you are here. Which is why I also set up a little surprise for you across the hall.”
Tinsley side-eyed me and made her way across the hall to where I had set up an office for her. She threw her arms around me and kissed me. It was a slow and sensual kiss at first and then her mouth got greedier for mine. I lost myself in her embrace and when she finally pulled away, I felt dizzy.
“I love it, I love you. Thank you,” she cried.
–
The guys came tumbling in with six pizza boxes, tons of soda, and a giant cookie cake for dessert.
“Remind me not to put them in charge of the grocery list, like ever,” Tinsley teased.
“I think they did great!” exclaimed Lucas. “I can’t believe I’m sitting around having dinner with all the Falconi guys. My friends at school are never going to believe this.”
“We’re going to be in your life for a long time little dude,” said Kai. “Really?” Lucas asked. “How’s that?”
“We’re going to be an extension of your family,” said Michael. “Like uncles?” Lucas questioned.
“Kinda, sorta. The guys and I all want to be there for you and your mom. You two are super important to us. We want to be there for you through thick and thin. If you have a problem, we want to be the people you call,” said Thiago.
“How does that sound Lucas? Can you stand to have us around for a while?” Kai asked.
“I could stand to have you guys around forever,” said Lucas.
Tinsley looked at each of us. Tears filled her eyes for the millionth time in the past two days. “Look at this beautiful site. All my guys. I love you all so much!”
“We love you too!” we all said in unison.