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candy shop, so she’d know candy." He held the bag out to her, but she jumped back a little. I took it from him and put my arm around her, leading her inside, and left the door open for Clayton to follow. I set the bag on the table and stepped over by Clayton. Emma looked up at us nervously, but she then peeked into the bag and smiled. She pulled out a chocolate and popped it into her mouth.
    Clayton seemed to sigh in relief, when he saw she liked them. He bumped me with his elbow, knocking me sideways a little.
    "Thank you for thinking of her, Clayton. Now, if you're done…"
    He cut me off. "You made her a butterfly, why didn't you make her a swan?"
    Emma looked at the two of us.
    "I was hungry, and it was simple and pretty, like Emma."
    Emma blushed a little at my words. She then surprised us both, when she tossed an apple to Clayton, pushed the knife to the end of the counter, and then she stepped back, sitting at the table and waiting expectantly.
    "It looks like she wants you to make her a swan."
    Clayton looked at her and then the knife. He gingerly picked it up. "I always rocked the swan way better than Devin."
    "You did not. My swans were always way better."
    I heard Emma giggle, as she got up and got another apple and knife, setting them down and waiting again.
    "Fine, we'll see who makes the best swan," I challenged.
    We were going at it full speed, when Emma suddenly stood up startled and then smiled. I turned to see my momma had come in. "What are you boys doing?"
    "Hold on a minute," Clayton said with his tongue sticking out of his mouth in concentration. He finished up his swan and held it out toward our momma. "I think momma should be the judge, because your wife would be biased."
    Emma actually giggled.
    "So, Momma, who did better?"
    "Well, Devin mastered the graceful swan a little better this time, Clayton." I smiled triumphantly and did a little victory dance, causing Emma to giggle more. I loved hearing that sound.
    "Okay, boys, would you mind helping out downstairs for a while? I left Eli all morning, and he needs a break."
    "Alright, Momma," we answered, getting ready to go down and work. I realized my momma hadn't followed us, and when she did finally descend the stairs, it was with Emma on her arm.
    "She's decided to join me in the kitchen," my momma said proudly. She patted Emma's hand. "I always wanted a daughter, but I had to make do with these two."
    "Hey!" Clayton and I complained together, and my momma just winked at us.
    "You know I love you two," she said.
    When we made our way into the kitchen, my momma was talking to Eli, and Emma was washing dishes. I sat back, watching her work. She looked content, and it made me smile.
    "Just wait until we get watermelons in. You ain't seen nothing until you've seen what I can do with a watermelon," Clayton bragged to Emma, and she just looked amused.
    "Devin, have you been showing off your carving skills to your wife?" Eli asked.
    We heard a clattering of something being dropped. We all looked to the doorway to see that Ms. Vivien, our dairy girl, had dropped her clipboard. She had been trying to get her plastic claws into me for quite a while now, so I wasn't the least bit sorry she overheard I had a wife. I stepped over next to Emma.
    "Vivien, you're early. Clayton will help you unload, while Devin helps his wife with the dishes," momma ordered, and Vivien stood stock-still, glaring at my little Emma. I stepped in front of Emma, blocking Vivien's view of her, as I felt little Emma shrinking back. I wrapped my arms around her and held her for a moment.
    "You're fine, Little One. I'm right here," I whispered in her ear, and she turned into me, getting me sopping wet, but I didn't care. I held her close, while Clayton and Vivien brought in our order.
    When they were finished, Vivien stood in the kitchen, just staring at us again. She finally cleared her throat and said, "Congratulation, Devin," like she was choking on the words, and then she hurried out