"I need to change subjects," I say to Sarah sitting in the Key West night watching the after fireworks show in the distance ... meaning people are still shooting fireworks over the Ocean long after the official show.
We'd driven to Smather's Beach to watch the fireworks, found parking, joined the crowd on the Sea Wall, saw the show, joined the hundreds of cars trying to leave at once and an eight minute drive took fifteen.
No cops ... no orange cones ... no problem.
Living on Tybee Island we're unaccustomed to unsupervised activities.
"Yes," my wife asks, hair pulled on top of her head with wisps blowing above piercing blue eyes, with her chin propped in one hand while the other rubs our baby in her belly.
"It's crazy," I begin after sipping my wine, "I know I'll never be their father ... that's impossible ... but ... they're starting to feel like they're my daughters too ... especially Maddie (the clueless 14 year old who knows everything) whose lived with us full time for a year and a half now."
Sarah smiles but doesn't say anything.
Someone paints the sky in the distance.
"Where the boys are," plays on the sound system at the Ibis Hotel were we're staying.
"It's little things," I continue as the Lesbian couple staying next door comes out to lay together in a hammock, "glances we give each other ... tiny hugs ... quietly understanding one another if you're upset ... the comfortableness we've grown of our give and take."
Sarah stares remaining silent.
"Don't get me wrong! She nuts and I can kill her half the time but ..." and my voice drifts out into the Ocean.
Sarah squeezes my hand.
It's life in a blender, I suppose.
Melding families means dicing up hearts and making them stronger in the broken places.
"Are you going to sleep outside?" Sarah asks because it's hot and sticky and she's ready for air conditioned sleeping.
"Maybe for a little while," I answer so she kisses me and heads inside.
I lay in the hammock, staring at the stars and unofficial fireworks above the Palm Trees.
It's nice.
I love it.
But ... I head inside the ice box to be with my wife and kids.
