We recently got back from our month long Hawaiian vacation, the four of us; happy, relaxed and tan. Russell and I renewed our wedding vows there, in front of the children, and life couldn't be better for us as a family. We've weathered my recent bout with depression, come out of it closer than ever before; and besides renewing our commitment to each other as a couple, I feel that we renewed our commitment to Lily and Tyler as parents.

Lil just turned three not too long ago; we had a small party right before we left the island, and in just a couple of months, Tyler will be a year old. We're actually now planning a trip back to the States to spend time with my side of the family, since they haven't seen the children for awhile and Russ isn't starting a new movie just yet. It would have probably been easier to head there from Hawaii; but we wanted a bit of time in between and so headed back to Australia instead.

In fact, right now all of us are in the den; we're trying to put together a new shelving unit for the room and the kids have been playing in one of the corners with Max, their dog; Lil promising that she'd keep Tyler out of trouble if we let the two of them stay with us. It's been going fine but now the two of us are standing off to one side reading the instructions. Each of us has a piece in our hand and we're trying to determine where exactly they fit.

I feel Lily pat my leg. "Mommy..."

Without looking at her, I say gently, "Just a moment, muffin."

"But..."

"Lil, honey, please go back and keep an eye on Tyler. I don't want either of you stepping on anything over here. Okay?"

"But, Mama..."

"Love, mind your Mum, all right?" Russ glances at her, then we're both engrossed in the booklet once more. Still, she persists, this time crossing over and tugging on the hem of her dad's shirt. "Daddy..." she tries again.

"Sweetheart, we're trying to sort this out. Don't interrupt, remember, we talked about that before." I nod my agreement, reach absently with a hand and pat her small shoulder. She grabs it with her own and makes me stop. "Mommy!" she hisses insistently.

"What is it?" Lily's eyes are huge and she tugs, pointing wordlessly with one finger. Before I can turn around, Russ has already done so; he blurts out, "Holy shit."

This is like some sort of situation comedy; Lily gasps and covers her mouth at Daddy's cursing, I turn around and gape alongside my husband, who's watching with a mixture of awe and amusement. "The little guy's mobile."

Tyler has managed to pull himself up and is taking his first steps all by himself, right there in front of us. As far as Crowe children's development goes, he's about on schedule; he's only slightly over ten months old, about the age Lily was when she did the same thing. He's looking right at us, both arms up for balance, Max on his own feet and hovering right behind him, always protecting the kids as usual. "He's walking," I breathe, none of us daring to move, just watching him slowly make his way to us.

Lily sighs heavily and rolls her eyes. She's such a little adult sometimes in her mannerisms that it always makes her dad and I laugh. "Duh! That's what I was tryin' to tell you." 

Tyler loses his balance just then and lands on his padded rear; but he's still grinning that irrepressible grin of his, gleeful at his accomplishment. Then, as if by delayed reaction, he looks at everyone and says, quite clearly, "Shit."

Lily gasps even more at this and then she and I look accusingly at Russ, who has this look of immediate guilt and contrition. We all go to the baby, sit beside him on the floor. "That's a bad word, Tyler," Lil tells him. "Isn't it, Mommy?"

"Yes, it is." But I pick my small son up and give him hugs and kisses. "No more bad words, Tyler." 

"No more bad words, Daddy!" That's Lily's contribution; ever since she began to talk herself, I've warned Russ time and again to be careful what he says around the kids. They're like two small sponges; they absorb everything of the world around them, and are both very perceptive and bright. Lily learned right off what the so-called 'bad words' were; unfortunately, Tyler is a mirror image of his father and if Russ slips, he's right there parroting whatever he says. I have to smile though; when Tyler said that, it was like he was cursing the fact he fell down. "I'm sorry, princess," Daddy apologizes. Taking Tyler from me, he admonishes, "Mum and Lil are right, mate. No more bad words."

"No..." the baby shakes his little head, solemnly. Unfortunately again, that is also one of his favorite words. He's got 'no' down perfectly. 

"But you did good, mate," his dad goes on. "Didn't he, girls?"

Lily loves when he calls her that along with me, like the two of us are in some sort of exclusive ladies' club. "Yay! Tyler walked!"

We all clap appreciatively and the baby does, too; then we're all hugging and kissing and further lavishly praising him. And I think back to the time I was struggling so hard; how recovery wasn't made up of huge incredible leaps forward, but the small steps, the simple, loving facets of everyday life and the accomplishments therein. How I learned to treasure those moments even more than the major ones. And how this is another one of those fleeting perfect extraordinarily ordinary moments that we'll all hold special.

"You realize," I tell Russ later that night, after both children have been tucked into bed, "that with Tyler walking, our life as we know it will never be the same again?"

He grins, so proud of his son, as I reach for him and kiss him. "How so?"

"He's going to be a whirling dervish, that's what I mean! The whole time I carried him when I was pregnant, he was never still. When he couldn't move on his own, he hated that, because he hated being still. And when he was crawling, we thought he was a menace to society then...now that he's upright, we're in such big trouble." I'm smiling as I say this, though. He's a different child than Lily, more kinetic, always active and looking for mischief. But he's also so much like his daddy that I can't help but love him, even when he's in trouble. And he's so affectionate, so loving and sweet, that even when he's being a holy terror, I find him precious. God, I hope he never outgrows that. "He's like you," I tell Russell, "a devil with a heart of gold."

"Yeah?" I know, every single time I mention Tyler taking after him, this makes him so proud. He's got a special bond with both children; with Tyler because of their similarities and the fact that he's his son; Lily because of the special relationship that little girls seem to have with their dads and the fact, he's told me before, that she is a tiny version of me. This has always fascinated him with her, and he points that out about as often as I point out the fact Tyler's his Mini-Me. He takes me in his arms and cuddles me close. "Yeah," I answer back. "And I love both of you so much. Lily, too."

"I love all of you, too." Then he grins even more. "Sure you want to unleash him on the rellies back in the States? Is the US ready for our son?" 

"Are they ready for all of us, you mean." Then I decide to bring up something with him that I've been thinking about ever since we started planning this next trip. "I want to get them socializing with other kids, Russ."

"What d'ya mean?" I don't think this has ever crossed his mind; it didn't really occur to me, either, until Tyler got older and I watched them playing with each other, also when the two of them took to teenaged Leilani back in Hawaii.

"They don't really have any friends their own ages that they play with, sweetie. Sure, we've got friends' kids, but they're all older, and the two of them haven't really had much to do around other children, just each other. Especially Lily. When she starts school, I don't want her to feel strange or shy, you know?"

"Lily's not shy." And indeed, she isn't. She's outgoing and friendly enough, but I think I can see awareness dawning in my husband's eyes. We've talked so much about what his celebrity would do to our family, and I don't want him to feel guilty about that at all, but let's face it, our kids' lives thus far haven't exactly been like others', I'm sure. "What do you plan to do?"

"A friend of mine has a day care center, and she said she would let the kids come and play during the day while we're there. She has a few kids Lily's age, a baby or two about Tyler's and a couple in between. I'd go with them to help out, and it'd be a couple of days a week, maybe a bit more if the kids take to it."

He thinks about this, then nods. "That's a good idea." 

"I don't want to force the issue, Russ. But..."

"No...You're right. Being with other kids would be good for them. Learn to share and compromise, and all that. It's not that they're not already social..." 

"Of course not. But I thought we could try it and see how it goes." Then I can't help but tease, "They need day care centers for adults. Learn to share, to compromise..."

"I can so share!" He sounds like he's Lily's age now, and I laugh. "And I can compromise. You do a little something for me; I'll do a little something for you." 

"Ah ha..." He kisses me and I smile. "I think we can learn to play together quite nicely, don't you?"

"I thought we already did." I kiss him back and he laughs. "Let me show you..."

Now that Tyler's figured out the mechanics of walking, he's really a little one on the go. Let me tell you, if you ever wondered what wasn't childproof in your home, just let a toddler wander around, and you'll find out right quick. The more he moves about, the more his confidence grows; although he's still a bit unsteady at times, he's picking up speed and mobility by the moment.

We've started to plan, in earnest, our trip to the States; and tonight, in our usual family powwow on our bed, both children freshly bathed and in their pajamas, I tell them about their going to daycare and making friends with other children.

Lily doesn't seem too fazed by this. "There are other kids I can play with?" she asks. "Is it like school?" She wants so much to be grownup, and Russell and I want her and Tyler to stay our small sweet children for as long as possible...though we're both proud of every milestone they hit, too. She's already able to count to ten, recite her alphabet most of the time, and can write her own name. "I don't know, muffin. We'll have to see when we get there," I tell her.

"Tyler, too?" She's still at the point where she adores him; even though his walking has posed a new set of problems with her and her belongings. She never wants to leave him out of anything and, as we always knew, is such a good big sis, taking care of him right along with me and Daddy. "Me!" Tyler emphatically agrees, looking to us for approval, and I nod. "Of course, Tyler, too. And I'll be there if you need me."

"What about Daddy?" Lil knows a bit more about, as she put it in Hawaii, 'Daddy being fame-muss' but I still don't think she grasps entirely what that means. Still, we've tried so hard, Russell especially, to keep their lives uncomplicated and as normal as can be. Russ breaks in. "Mum's gonna go with you, but you can tell me all about it. And maybe I can come and visit, all right?"

"You might get lonely without us." Russ smiles and tweaks her nose. "I'll miss you, sure, love, but you won't be gone for very long, and then we'll all go do stuff together, how's that?"

"Okay." Tyler nods, too, even though he has no real concept of what we're talking about. Then she asks, "Mommy, will you tell us our birthday stories?"

Somehow, I knew this was coming. This is one of the kids' favorite things when we're all here like this. "Tell 'tory," the baby adds; Russell and I look at each other over their heads and smile. "Who goes first?" Daddy asks, and both children pipe up with "Me! Me!" Ever the diplomat, Lily says, "Tyler can go first, 'cause he's littler. Mama will tell his story and you can tell mine, Daddy."

I remember when I was pregnant with Lily and Russ and I talked about him helping to deliver her; I told him he would have quite a story to tell his daughter later. Well, that came true; she adores hearing him tell about the time she was born. She loves hearing my side of it, too, and we alternate between the two; but she's so proud that Daddy was the one to help her and she loves it best from him. Now, however, they're waiting for my version of Tyler's birth, and I look down at him sitting beside me on the bed, he's hugging his stuffed dog, his thumb in his mouth, and I stroke his hair and begin.

"We wanted another baby after we had Lily..." 

"Lil!" Tyler pops his thumb out and beams at his sissy; she beams back at him and then they turn their full attention back to me. "And then, we found out we were going to have another little baby. We were so happy."

"Yeah, we were." Russ agrees; Lily leans back against him, her gaze still on me as if she hadn't heard this a hundred times already. 

"We would have been happy to have a little girl, or a little boy. But we found out it was going to be a little boy. We went and saw pictures of him in my tummy..." Tyler pauses and reaches to pat me there, "...and he was so handsome." He nods at this and we all laugh. "We saw him on TV," Lily says. "I 'member that."

"Me too!" She looks at the baby. "You don't 'member, Tyler!" she protests. 

"He might," Daddy tells her. "You never know." Tyler snuggles up against me as if he's imitating his time in my womb. I continue to stroke his hair and go on. "We picked out a name for him, and got his room all ready...we were all so excited you were coming, Tyler. Except...you wanted to come out before it was time to."

"I 'member that, too," Lily adds. I remember our fear and her anxiety. Tyler frowns, shakes his head. "Bad." 

"You weren't bad, peanut. You just wanted to come out and be a part of our family. But it wasn't time to and we had to try to keep you in Mummy's belly for a bit more." Russ tickles his son; he laughs his precious laugh and then settles back against me. "Then it WAS time," I tell him, "and you didn't want to come out."

"No," he says and I have to laugh. "No is right." 

"How come he didn't want to come out?" Lily, ever curious, wants to know. "Why, Tyler?"

The baby pats my belly again and says, "Mama," as we all chuckle. "He thought it was warm and safe," Russell tells her. "Good Mama," Tyler agrees, and I kiss the top of his head. "I was scared," I admit, looking at my husband now. "But I kept thinking of how much I loved you, Tyler, and you, Lily...and how much I loved Daddy and I was glad he was there to help me be strong."

"And then Tyler was bornded!" Lily says excitedly. That's her favorite part. Mine, too, truthfully. "Yep, Tyler was born and we were all so happy." 

"Tell mine, now, Daddy." Tyler, now that his tale has been told, lies down next to me; I'll betcha he'll be out before Lily's story's done. 

"Well..." Russ looks to me before he starts; I know every time he tells this both of us think of all the heartache we went through before that point and how grateful we both are now. "Mum and I were happy, just the two of us, but we wanted a baby so badly. When we found out we were going to have one we were both so excited. We watched you get big in Mummy's stomach; we would feel you kick and move all the time. You used to kick me a lot, Lil."

"Me, too," I add, and she giggles at this. "Don't 'member that." 

"I sure do," I tell her, and she giggles even more. "Sorry, Mommy." 

"It's okay." She smiles and I feel such a rush of love for her. "Okay," Tyler adds his piece sleepily, and Lily tells him, "Go night-night, Tyler." 

"Okay," he says again, and I wrap an arm around him, cuddling him close as Russ goes on. "We found out then we were having a little girl and we bought so many pretty princess things...then you were like your brother and you didn't want to come out either. We waited and waited and you were two days late, sweetheart."

"I was warm and safe inside Mum." Every so often, the Aussie comes out in our daughter; her use of slang terms always makes me smile. Russ notices also, because he hugs and kisses her as she lies down in between us, too. "Guess so, little one."

She yawns. "But I came out finally, huh Daddy?"

"You did...you were actually pretty good about it, unlike the little fella over there." We all glance at the baby, who's peacefully asleep. Then Lil says, "This is the bestest part." I can tell it is for her dad, too. "Mum worked extra hard...and I was waiting right there for you. And then..."

"You caught me like a footy ball!" He told her that once, which always makes me roll my eyes at his example, but she loves, loves, LOVES that. He grins then. "Yeah, caught you straight off like a footy ball, I did. Only you were softer and prettier and sweeter than any footy ball, I can tell you." She laughs. I reach over Tyler and can't resist kissing her. "You were the most beautiful baby I've ever seen, muffin."

"Most beautiful little girl, too," Russell tells her honestly. "I not a little girl no more, Daddy," she reminds him, and he throws his hands up in apology. "My mistake, Lil. Most beautiful princess, how's that?" Lily's life's ambition at this point in time is to be a princess. So this makes her happy, she nods in agreement, and before he can say, "The end" she's also fast asleep. We look at both slumbering tots and then at one another. At this moment, things are absolutely perfect and right. Neither of us says a single word but our hearts speak volumes; he holds his hand out to me, over the kids, and I place mine in his and we both lie there with them and watch them dream.

Next morning I awaken to find Tyler still curled into me, sound asleep, his doggie tucked under his arm, and Lily beside him, her long, dark hair spread in disarray over her face, her Cinderella nightgown tangled up around her knees. They've both managed to shove the covers down off of them and, by default, off of their dad and me...I'd forgotten that they both looked so cute sleeping in between us last night after we talked that we decided to leave them there. And then, there's Russ...he's on his side, chin propped up in his hand, watching all three of us with a tender, yet somewhat amused expression on his face. "Thought this bed seemed a little crowded," I whisper, carefully shifting the baby over so I'll be able to get out of bed without disturbing him.

Russ smiles. "Knew those weren't your tiny feet kicking me in the balls in the middle of the night, Liss." I shush him, but can't resist laughing softly. He slips out of bed first, headed for the bathroom; in a moment, I join him, both of us still a bit sleepy ourselves, going through the usual morning rituals as most couples do. Do you know, even after being married to Russell as long as I have and having our children together, there's still a sense of wonder when we're like this, he in his boxer shorts and I in his old flannel shirt, just living our lives and being ourselves. As if I'm still amazed at how blessed I am to have him as a part of my life. To have all of them, really. After everything that's happened to us, I cherish my family.  As soon as we've both brushed our teeth, I'm busily combing my hair and he's washing his face when we hear a gleeful chortle that could only come from a very small nearly year-old boy and a giggle that sounds like it could have only come from his older sister. We look at each other; I reach and indulge myself in kissing my husband's damp face before going out to take a peek, just in time to see two pudgy baby feet and a mop of dark brown curls burrow beneath the bedcovers and disappear. There's now a writhing bump in the middle of our bed; I hear Lily's sweet voice whisper "Shh..." and then Russ is there beside me in the doorway, wrapping both arms around me and kissing the side of my neck. Tyler laughs again and I hear her say, not too quietly this time, "Shh. We's hidin', okay?"

"'Kay," his little muffled response comes, there's more shifting and wiggling, and I hear another stifled giggle. Russ winks at me. "Oh, no..." I deliberately make my voice loud enough to be heard over the rustling and hushed laughter, "...we've lost Lily and Tyler, Daddy. Guess we're gonna have to go get us two new kids."

"That's a shame..." he's tiptoeing back across the room to the bed, "...because they were so cute and I was really beginning to get attached to them." He takes one side; I take the other.

"Yep, too bad," I say, in a mock tone of sadness, "I sure did love those two. But we'll find another set we'll love just as much." I hear a tiny protesting "Mama!" from the baby, and his sister once again admonishing, "Shh..." Then just as the two of us each lunge for a side of the bundle, Lily throws the covers back and yells, "Boo!" Tyler shrieks, too, and then they're both laughing and bouncing on the mattress. "You didn't know where we were!" she exclaims, and Tyler adds, "Peek 'boo."

"You two are so silly." But I hold out my arms for my daughter, who literally flings herself into them with happiness, and Russ scoops up the baby. After snuggling for just a moment, I tell her, "All right, let's get you two dressed and ready for brekky, shall we?"

"Okay." After a pause, Lily announces to all, "I think Tyler's stinky." For emphasis on this point, she wrinkles her tiny nose and makes a face. 

I've got her still wrapped around me in my arms already halfway across to the bathroom. Smiling back over my shoulder at Russ, I tell her, "Daddy will change him." I can tell that he found the malodorous truth out as well because his expression is about as distasteful as Lily's. "Why me?" he asks, even as his small son (yes, when he's messy, he becomes solely the property of his dad) nestles against him, munching on his poor puppy as always, oblivious to his current state and his daddy's obvious dismay.

"He's your son," I tell him sweetly, almost at the same time as Lily patiently explains, as if she were trying to tell her baby brother and not her dad, "'Cause he's a boy, and you're a boy, Daddy, that's how come." This makes me laugh. "High five me, Lil," I tell her, holding my hand up, and she slaps it, even though she doesn't completely grasp the concept of female solidarity quite yet.

"Women," Russ mutters, feigning disgust, and funnily enough, the baby nods his head in total agreement. I laugh even more, and Lily joins in. 

I really love this family. Smelly diapers and all. 

We're soon packed and on our way to the States; fortunately for us, both children, even at their tender ages, have quickly become seasoned travelers and take everything in their young lives that Russ and I throw at them in stride. They're both eager to see their grandma, aunts, uncles and cousins here; both Lil and Tyler are very adaptable and are able to settle into life in America as easily and readily as they are to their Aussie one. They're sharing a room here, at least for awhile, because we didn't have the time to create a new nursery for Tyler when I was pregnant with him. But with some quick rearranging of furniture, including buying a new bed for Lily, they're both happily ensconced in their shared living space and all is well.

The first couple of days are spent settling in and visiting loved ones; then I call my friend Kristen and let her know that we'll be coming the next day. She runs her daycare out of the basement of her home; it's really rather spacious, with its own entrance and plenty of room to play indoors and out. She doesn't have a whole lot of kids, either, she tells me, on purpose, so she's able to give them the attention they need: a four year-old, three others that are three, the same age as Lily; a two year-old and one other just slightly older than Tyler. Her mother helps out, and then I'll be there, at least for the first little while, so I'm not at all worried about the children being taken care of, just anxious over how they'll fit in.

Kristen also tells me that she deliberately kept the fact that Lily and Tyler were coming very low-key, for Russell's sake and the children's', something I'm grateful for. As they get older, the concessions we have to make concerning his fame and the security of our small family will be greater; but the two of us have talked about this so much, and I know we'll be all right. Both of us love them and all we want is for them to grow up knowing how much we do, and for them to be happy.

That morning, we all kiss Daddy goodbye---we've planned only to go for a couple of hours at the most, to see how things work out---and then I've got both kids packed in our SUV. David, my personal aide/guard and the kids' as well, is along for the ride; this is one thing that Russ insisted on, and, at least while the situation we're going into is unfamiliar, especially to the children, I feel it gives them a sense of something normal, if you can call it that. He's more a grandpa to them than anything, both of them consider him as part of our family, and I suppose, in a way, he is.

So we all arrive, deliberately a little late, so that the rest of the daycare kids will already be there. Lily, who is usually a take-charge kind of girl, is now a bit anxious; I can tell by the way she's clinging to my hand, tucked against my leg as if afraid I'm going to leave her and run. Tyler, on the other hand, is his usual curious, cheerful self. When we walk in, all of the children stop playing and just stare at us with undisguised interest.

Kristen introduces them to all of us. There's Steven, who's the oldest, at four, then the three-year-olds, Matt, Kyle, and Sarah; Kyle's sister Lacey, who's two, and Sarah's baby brother Josh, who is only a couple of months older than Tyler. Then she introduces all of us; Tyler's already wriggling to be let down, so I do; he immediately goes toddling amongst them and makes himself right at home. Lily is still hovering close to me and is suddenly the shyest I've ever seen her. "Tell everyone hi, muffin," I prompt gently, wondering if this was a mistake.

"G'day," she says, sounding just like a tiny version of Russ. 

"What'd she say?" one of the boys her age asks. 

"She's from far away, 'member, we saw that in a book," Steven tells everyone. "She flew on an airplane 'cross the ocean, didn't you, Lily?"

Lil glances at me, I just smile encouragingly at her, and then she nods. 

"Cool!" 

"Wow...I've never been on an airplane before!" 

"Come play with me, Lily," Sarah says, and that's all it takes; she's over there like a shot and I'm soon forgotten. 

I love watching my two interact with each other but it's just as fun to watch them interacting with different kids. Tyler is just as self-assured as ever; though he's the youngest, he has a bigger vocabulary than Josh, I notice, and after trying to engage him in a bit of conversation (think the outspokenness of his dad) he gives up but they somehow seem to work out a system of play and communication between the two of them. He's generous and considerate and I'm glad that we've managed to instill that in him, despite his obvious boisterousness. Lily is soon her usual confident self; though I'm pleased to see she's not bossy. They're all there together, working at building something out of Lego's, Josh and Tyler busily on the floor playing with big, chunky cars, and I feel a sense of relief steal over me.

I can't help but eavesdrop; kids' conversations are so amusing. 

"I gots a dog," Lily is saying. "His name's Max." 

"I gots one, too," Kyle says. "I gots a cat," Sarah says. 

"We gots horses and cows, too," Lil goes on. "In 'Stralia." 

"Where's that?" This from a chorus of interested little voices. 

"That's where I live," Lil explains. Her audience is raptly listening now. "With my mum and dad. My Nana and Papa, too." 

"Far 'way?" This from Lacey, the smallest girl; Lily is very sweet and good with her as she says, "Yeah...you have to come here on a plane." 

"Where's your Daddy?" This from Matt; I lean forward just a bit to hear what Lil says about Russ. 

"He's at home waitin' for us, our house we gots here." Lily says, concentrating extra hard on the tower she's making. "He's fame-muss." She's not bragging; just being so matter-of-fact. No one asks or comments on that; I'll have to tell him about that one later. He'll get a kick out of that, I'm sure.

"That your Grandpa?" Steven whispers, glancing at David, who exchanges amused looks with me. 

"No, that's David. He takes care of Mommy and Tyler 'n me. Mark takes care of my dad," she tells him, waving at us; we wave back and then she's focusing solely on the Lego tower again, trying to hook it onto Matt's piece. He helps her and then asks curiously, "Why? Do you guys get lost?"

I nearly choke trying not to laugh; David begins to and quickly changes it into a guffawing sort of cough. 

"No..." Lily's still so patiently explaining all the aspects of her life to her new young friends, "they make it so we won't GET lost, see?" 

"Ah..." there's a chorus of children's voices, and then it's back to work on their creation. "Lacey got lost once." Kyle says. "In the store." 

"You should get someone to take care of you, then," Lily tells him, ever so logically, and everyone nods in agreement. 

This is really turning out better than I had even hoped for. 

When we get home, the kids are full of stories of all that went on to their Dad, even Tyler with his limited speech, and Russell, as always, sits there carefully listening to them, only getting now and then to interject with an exclamation or a brief comment here and there. I've promised to take them back the day after next and they're so excited they can hardly stand it.

Later, when it's just the two of us, I tell him what Lily said about him, the (non) reaction from the other children, and what they all had to say about David. He laughs. "So it's going well, then? Not that I couldn't tell by the endless chatter I got all evening." I can tell that he's pleased that this is working; I sense that despite all that the two of us discuss where Tyler and Lily are concerned; he still worries about them a lot.

"They're doing great, sweetheart." I could literally see, today, both of them blossoming as individuals apart from each other and apart from their father and me.

Russell's expression softens; he reaches over with one large hand and strokes my hair. "I know things can get crazy sometimes, Liss. What with the day job and all. But I love us like this...just average, ordinary folk...mundane, boring life..."

I reach out for him and nestle against him, kissing him. "Life with you is anything but boring, I can assure you. You and the kids. But I know what you mean....still, as long as we're together, I don't care where we are and what we're doing, I'm happy."

He tucks me in close. After all that we went through when I was suffering from my depression, I think that this pleases him to hear, more than I can understand. From the start of my relationship with him, he's really worked hard to build something with me, keep it true and real and I can assuredly tell you that I feel we've succeeded.

We settle into a family routine of sorts, where we go to day care about every other day for a few hours; then our time is spent with friends or members of my side of the family; sometimes, though, it's just the four of us and we do simple things together. Russ is working, along with my brother, to build the two kids a swing set/slide/clubhouse jungle gym sort of contraption in our backyard to play on while we're here, and it's coming along. I think he honestly likes doing everyday father/husband things around the house, just like any other bloke, as he would say...although to me, he is NOT just any other bloke. Most guys take extreme joy in going to the home improvement store, but it's pretty much taken for granted; as my brother told me, to Russ, it's a sort of novelty, and I really think he's taken to things like that, going to the grocery store, cooking dinner with me in the evenings. It's kind of like when we're at the farm and he can just be himself, I think he really appreciates that every time we come here to visit.

The kids are so confident and have fit in so well that I've even taken to being just like a normal mum and not a hovering one, as Russ teases me; dropping them off and leaving them there for a bit while I spend time with my husband. If the kids stay long enough, other than the play time, Kristen feeds them lunch and they have a bit of structure as well, sharing or story time; a couple of times we've even let them stay long enough to have nap time, which, as parents, Russell and I greatly appreciate.

Pretty soon, we're talking about heading back home to Australia; Russ has a bit of down time left before we're to go with him to Canada (yet another stamp in the children's passports!) so he can begin shooting another film. We know that, as in the time we went to Hawaii, it would really make more sense for us to go directly there from here, but we're truly based at the farm and the time we've got until we head off is actually going to be a good two, hopefully even three months. We would stay here longer but he's got some things he needs to take care of in Sydney on the way back and we've already stayed here a good couple of months ourselves. We talked about this with the children and they're sad to leave their new friends behind but are so good about rolling with the punches, as I mentioned earlier, where their lives with us are concerned.

Today I picked the kids up, feeling ever so much like a traditional mommy; we stopped to get Happy Meals for them at the local McDonald's as well as picking up a burger for Daddy. It's not that I don't love my life with Russell when it's unconventional, you know, like leaving the kids behind while we attend a movie premiere or something, but it comes back once again to the simple pleasures of family life for me.

"We gets to do sharin' time at Kristen's, Mama," Lily pipes up from the backseat, between bites of her chicken nuggets. "Me 'n Tyler. Well, mostly me, 'cause he's too little to talk 'bout something. But Kristen said we each need to bring something special to us to show the other kids."

"That sounds like fun." David, who's riding in his usual position next to me, also nods in agreement. "Have you decided what to bring?" I ask, finishing blowing on a couple of hot French fries to cool them down and passing them back to Tyler, who immediately grabs one in each fist. "Mmm..." he says, and I smile at him in the rearview mirror.

"Yep." Lil takes a sip of her soda and carefully sticks the paper cup back in the holder on her car seat before responding. "I want to bring Daddy." 

It's a good thing we're stopped at a traffic light because this catches me off guard; I look back in the mirror at Lily, who's got her usual serene, practical look about her at this. "You want to take your Dad as your sharing time treat?" I ask, touched that she would even think of such a thing. Wait until Russ hears this one.

"Kristen said somethin' special, and Daddy's special, don't you think, Mommy?" She's already given this a lot of thought, I can tell. "He can be Tyler's sharin' time treat, too...'cause Tyler wanted to bring Doggie, but he brings him every day. So we can both bring Daddy. And you, too, Mama, of course, but the kids have already seen you."

I really want to cry at this, I'm so moved, but then the light turns green, Tyler, who's such a literal backseat driver, yells, "Go!" and I have to be able to see straight to keep up with traffic. "I think that's a great idea, Lil," I tell her.

David too, looks like he could get a bit teary himself; it's not that he's not a softy anyhow, but he told me once that before Lil and Tyler, he didn't really know that his job included so much more than just keeping an eye on us, or 'keeping us from getting lost', as Lily puts it. "That's a wonderful idea, Miss Lily," he tells her, because ever since she announced she wanted to be a princess, he's taking to calling them 'miss' Lily and 'master' Tyler, as if he were our butler, and she absolutely adores that. "Your Daddy will be so proud to be your sharing time treat, young lady."

Yes, he will...if he doesn't completely break down at the thought of this, as well. 

When we get home, both kids excitedly hurry into the house to see their father; Lily bearing the paper sack with Russell's lunch in it. "Got you a burger and fries, Daddy," she tells him, handing him the bag. "Lookie...toy!" Tyler adds, waving it as he clings to his dad's leg. "Gotta toy at Donald's!"

"Thanks, princess...wow, cool, mate." As always, Russ doesn't miss a beat, equally giving both of the children his time and attention...I still enjoy watching him with them, and I can see how Lily would feel so inspired to bring him as her treat for sharing time. He hands me my food...I waited to eat with him...and before he even has the burger unwrapped; Lily can't contain herself any longer. "Daddy, I'm bringin' you for sharin' time!"

"You're what, love?" He looks to me hoping to clarify; I merely give him that 'wait until you get a load of this one' look and await his reaction. 

She explains what she did to me, and as she's talking, getting more and more animated at the prospect of Daddy coming to daycare with them and finally meeting all of her friends, I can see Russ getting more and more emotional at this. But he retains remarkable composure as Lil breathlessly finishes, "So, will you come be our sharin' time treat, Daddy, huh? Please?" Tyler echoes, "Pwease..." and they both look expectantly at him. I freely do have tears in my own eyes at this point; their thoughtfulness and creativity really amazes me.

His sandwich forgotten, he first picks up the baby and settles him on his lap, then his small daughter, looks at one then the other and then over to me. Then back to our two children once more. "I can't think of anything I'd rather do, sweetheart," he tells Lily, then to Tyler, as the 'blokes' of the family, "Sure thing, little mate," and he hugs and kisses them both. They both look as if he hung the stars and the moon and I love him for that, his deep caring and concern for them and his huge heart and generous spirit.

That night as the two of us are lying there in bed, he comments softly, "I can't believe I get to be the show n' tell for the little ones." 

I smile. There's just enough light coming into the room that I can see his face, and the look on it touches me deeply. "They're both so proud of you, sweetie. And I think Lily wants to show you off, just a bit."

"What about you?" he wants to know. I laugh and shake my head. "According to Lil, I'm special, but ordinary...the kids see me nearly every day." 

"You're anything but ordinary, Lissy, I've told you that over and over." He kisses me and holds me close against him.  "Still, I'm always amazed at the things she comes up with."

"They're both incredible children." I'm unashamedly proud of them myself. 

"You're an amazing, incredible Mum." I lift my head, look into his sparkling eyes, then slowly shift so I'm resting atop him now. "Oh ho ho...If you're looking to seduce me with flattery, mister, let me tell ya, it's working."

"Is it?" I can't mistake his grin, even in the dusky twilight of our bedroom. 

"Yes...did I ever tell you what an incredible, amazing Dad YOU are, too?" He kisses me again even as he's working on the buttons of his faded flannie I'm wearing. "Let me tell you something else about me, Liss." I wait to hear this one. He whispers, "I love the flattery, too...but I'm a sure thing, baby." We both chuckle at this, and then we're touching and kissing, as intimate and in love as ever before...then he adds, "You had me from the start, sweetheart."

And that is something I thank my lucky stars for every day of my life. 

The next morning, I call Kristen to give her a heads up as to the children's plan to bring their dad---I can only imagine her shock if I didn't warn her and Russell suddenly just showed up in her house---and she thinks that's as unique and as touching an idea as we did. She also admits that she's eager to meet Russ; I forget that, despite everyone's easy acceptance of him as my husband and the father of our kids, they're all also fans of his work. We're coming the next day and Lil and Tyler will finally get a chance to show off their daddy to everyone.

I think he's more nervous about this prospect than he lets on because later that evening when the kids have been tucked into bed and the two of us are enjoying our alone time before we head off to sleep ourselves, he confesses, "I don't know what I'm supposed to do tomorrow."

I gaze at him with amusement. "You're supposed to do tricks...maybe we can get Tyler to throw a ball and you can fetch it, or Lil can hold a hoop for you to jump through."

He gets this look that makes me laugh. "Actually, I'd rather face a roomful of kids than of paparazzi." That's the honest truth. But I tell him comfortingly, "Honey, it's going to be all right. You'll be fine, and you'll know what to do and how to handle yourself. They're just kids, not a bunch of film critics." I feel like I did when I reassured both children the first day of going to Kristen's day care. Russell's pretty much like an overgrown kid himself a lot of the time, anyhow. I lean over and give him a kiss. "They're gonna adore you, babe, trust me. Your own kids do."

He gets that smile of pride, knowing it's the truth. He's such a great father that I'm sure he'll absolutely charm the dickens out of the daycare kids as well. 

We all wake up the next day with this air of excited expectancy. At least Lily, Tyler, and I do...Russell still looks a bit dumbfounded that he's about to be the main attraction to a group of preschoolers. I have no idea why...the man, in his film career, has handled guns, swords, fought tigers, etc., and he's afraid of a bunch of pint-sized children? I would tease him except that his obvious anxiety truly touches me. He wants to do so good for his son and daughter. When it comes right down to it, although they're the most forgiving, their opinions also mean the most to him, along with mine.

I've already gotten myself ready, and Lily, who wanted to wear a nice outfit today, to make an impression as well, I guess. She's wearing a cute, short-sleeved red sweater, along with a red and navy plaid pleated skirt, her nice white tights, and her polished black buckle dressy shoes and looks absolutely precious, her hair in French braids tied with navy ribbon---when Russell comes in looking like he's going to an awards show or premiere or something, his only concession to casual being a nice pair of jeans, as he's also got on a dress shirt and shoes and a jacket. I'm struggling to keep Tyler pinned down long enough to change his diaper, but I have to look agape at him. "They're just kids, babe," I tell him, much as I did last night. Lil, however, gives the look of approval. "You look HOT, Daddy," she tells him, sounding like a teenager, giving him a wink and a thumbs-up. Where this child gets these things, I don't know. "WAY hot," she adds, for extra emphasis.

"Maybe this IS a bit much..." he looks down at himself, but Lily looks so pleased that I suspect he'll keep the GQ look if only for her. Tyler has now taken advantage of my brief lack of watchfulness to jump up from where I had just stuck a fresh diaper under him and is running around the bedroom stark naked. When I grab for him as he dashes merrily by me...he's gotten comfortable with mobility, let me tell you...he giggles and scoots away out of my reach. Lily is laughing, although at almost the same time, she's disapproving of his streaking, because she's gaping at his cute little bare butt, and Russ? Well, this kid definitely takes after his dad because he's actually encouraging the tiny scamp. "Good on ya, mate! That's my boy!" he tells him, chuckling, and I don't know who to get exasperated with first. I give my husband a chastising look and attempt once more to snag my wayward son. Finally, in my best stern mum voice, I call "Tyler Alexander CROWE!" in that tone that makes him stop, although I can't stifle my own smile at our miniature nudist.

"Uh oh...now you're in trouble, pal," Russell tells him, as I get ahold of him and plop him back on the floor with finality, getting his diaper done up. He tries to get away again, but I tenaciously hold onto him with one hand while ever thoughtful Lily grabs the clothes I picked out for him to wear earlier and brings them closer to my reach. "Listen, little man, you're not running off anymore," I tell him, as he laughs that mischievous laugh and I have to shake my head at his determination. "And YOU," I look up at Russ, "don't you cheer him on! Where do you think he gets this from anyhow?"

Lily looks puzzled at this. "Daddy doesn't run 'round naked, does he, Mama?" 

Russ gets his big, devilish grin and I'm the one who's flabbergasted now. "I..." I open my mouth and then shut it again, not sure just WHAT to answer to that one, "Why don't you go get breakfast with Daddy, muffin? I think that's a real good idea," I babble, giving him an I'll-get-you-later-for-this look and getting an I-can-hardly-wait one in return. This has broken his anxiety and intense nervousness for now; he winks at me before taking her hand and leading her out of the nursery.

Tyler, as if he got the entire exchange between me and his dad, giggles again, and I shake my head even more at him although I give him a kiss. "You're a monkey, son," I tell him, but despite my teasing reprimanding of him, I feel happy, because when I was sick before, we couldn't be like this. He must sense my thoughts, because as I bend over him to pull the shirt over his head, he stops me by capturing my face between his chubby hands. "Love Mama," he tells me, and I have to kiss him again. "I love you, too, sweetie," I respond.

If he does turn out to be just like Russell, that won't be a bad thing at all. 

After finally getting Tyler dressed in a t-shirt, pair of jeans and his tennis shoes, for he hates to be dressed up, we go to find Dad and Lil, get everyone fed and on our way. Russ has managed to make Lily waffles in the toaster...about all he's good for at brekky time...and he pops more in when he sees us. He shakes his head sadly as he looks at his son, who's as exuberant and squirmy as a puppy this morning---he even wriggles when I try to get him in his high chair and I'm grateful we're going to Kristen's today so he can burn off some of his energy. "Poor little guy...Mum caught you and made you conform, did she?" Tyler nods in agreement and I have to sigh at the fact that these two will probably always be cohorts in crime. They're way too much alike. "No shoe," the baby tells him, waving his foot and frowning, and Dad sympathizes. "Yep, it'd be much nicer if you didn't have to wear those, right, mate?" He nods again, and I slug Russ in the shoulder as I pass him on my way to get the waffles out of the toaster. He retaliates by pinching my bottom, which, thankfully, neither child notices as they're both busy eating and drinking their juice. Even if they did notice they're so used to the two of us anyhow that it probably wouldn't faze them. Still, I keep my voice down as I murmur, "Don't even start."

He kisses me soundly and whispers, "Just for that, I AM going to run around naked later tonight, after the tykes are in bed. Just to drive you mental." 

I whisper back, "I'm already mental, you dolt," but can't help the sudden heat that I feel rising in my face. Then we're back concentrating on our parental duties as Lily asks for more syrup on her waffles and I have to keep Tyler from tipping his sippy cup over. I don't doubt for a single instant that my husband will keep his word...I've seen that same gleam in his eyes before. But first, we've got to get him through Sharin' Time at daycare.

We get to Kristen's and she meets us at the door; I quickly introduce her to Russ, they chat for a few moments, and then she tells us the rest of the children are all here and wondering when Lily and Tyler will show up. Speaking of our kids; they both look so happy and excited I expect them to start floating on air with giddy glee at any moment; their dad, although he tries hard not to show it, appears nervous and wondering once again what he's allowed himself to be talked into. He's got one hand tightly wrapped around mine and the other holding Lily's; Tyler's in the crook of my other arm and wants so much to be let down that I finally do. He darts right in and announces as only he can, in his limited baby speech, "We's here!"

The kids are all excited; just as their attention turns to us, I kiss Russell on the cheek and let go of his hand to let Lily be the one to introduce him to everyone. They all stop short at the sight of this big, unfamiliar man with their special playmate, looking up at him from their various spots on the floor, much as they did the day we first arrived, with complete curiosity and more than a little fascination. "Whoa," Steven whispers, and I have to stifle a smile.

"Everybody..." My daughter would make a perfect game show hostess, I decide, as she makes a grand sweeping gesture with her hand towards Russ, "this is my daddy."

"MY Dad!" Tyler protests, already deeply engrossed in his favorite toy cars with Josh; I reassure, "Yes, bud, he's your Daddy, too." 

"G'day," Russ says, looking the lot of them over; I hear Matt whisper to Sarah, "He talks like Lil does." 

"'Course he does, he lives with her," Steven, the logical oldest one, whispers, and Russ can't help but smile at this exchange. "How are you, mate?" he asks him, shaking his hand like a grownup. I can tell this definitely impresses the kids as he shakes each one's hand in turn. He finally lets go of Lily's, although she still stays protectively by his side, as he ends up sitting on the floor to be on the same level as they are. I do love watching my husband interact with people...children naturally gravitate towards him...actually, animals and people of all ages and both sexes naturally gravitate towards him. He's got this way about him, if you know what I mean: The Crowe Charisma; both of our own kids have acquired this from him in spades. I nearly laugh when he glances at our daughter with this sort of 'how am I doing' expression and she pats his shoulder reassuringly. I have to say, it's gotta be pretty daunting, and a lot to live up to, with the expectations of a pint-sized three year old little girl resting on his broad shoulders.

"Hi, Lily's Dad," says Kyle, and Matt whispers to him, "I think you're s'pposed to call him 'Mr. Lily's Dad'." 

"How 'bout the lot of you, call me Russell," he suggests, and pretty soon, they're as comfortable with him as they've become with the rest of our family. They ask him a lot of questions, as children do; he answers each one with careful deliberation, much as he does with Tyler and Lily. Russ never, ever gives pat, vague answers or explanations. He always insists that little ones deserve as much attention and respect as grownups, and I agree with him there. Even if it's something as simple as why trees have leaves, he always comes up with something completely logical and geared to their own level of understanding. I love him for that.

It's obvious how quickly the kids have all taken to him; besides Lily tucked in against his side, Tyler now curled up in his favorite spot on his dad's lap, the rest of them are all sitting cross-legged clustered around him. No one is playing or apart from the rest; they're all devoting their attention solely to Russell. He's now telling them about animals in Australia, snakes and crocodiles, kangaroos, koalas and all those things that children find fascinating, and his audience is spellbound. I really think that kids are able to sense the innate goodness in people, and I'm so glad they feel that in my husband. Too many times I know, he's been misquoted and misunderstood by the public at large, and while he claims he's used to it and it doesn't bother him, I do realize that it does hurt him sometimes. To see these kids be able to ignore, in fact be totally unaware of, his celebrity, be able to cut through the bullshit and admire him for the person he is within touches me so deeply.

Kristen is watching this as well. "He's wonderful with them," she marvels. "He's a wonderful father," I tell her. 

"I would never have guessed, Lisa, that you'd have ended up with a life like this, with him and your kids," she says. "I hope you realize how lucky you are." 

I think back to everything that's gone on in the life I've been building with Russ, and now, Lil and Tyler. Sure, we have sort of unusual things to contend with, like the logistics of taking two children all over the place while Daddy makes major motion pictures, enthusiastic fans, zealous press, but then there are those simple, normal things that I love, like the kids learning to walk and talk, baking cookies with Lily, chasing a naked Tyler around the bedroom, falling asleep in Russell's arms at night. Those things are what matter the most of all. "I do," I tell her in all honesty. "Believe me, I never take it for granted."

I have to smile watching the children watch Russ, because they've so readily taken to him. The boys are all looking at him as if he is the coolest guy on the face of the planet right about now, and both Sarah and Lacey are gazing at him as if they were both at least ten years older and he was the lead singer of a boy band. I've heard that little girls' first crushes are usually on their dads...this is certainly true where Lily is concerned; she thinks her daddy is the ultimate...but I've not heard about what happens when they're on someone else's dad. Speaking of Lily, she notices me sitting there just a short distance away and quietly leaves Russell's side to come speak to me. I lift her on my lap, bowing my head close to hers, because she looks like she wants to tell me something in secret. "Daddy's doin' SO good," she whispers, and it's hard not to laugh.

"He is, isn't he?" I have to agree, and she nods her head solemnly. She sighs. "I was worried 'bout him, but he's okay." Oh, it's so difficult sometimes, not to laugh at the things our children say or do. Especially when they're being completely serious, from their point of view.

"What's he talking about now?" I ask her, and she responds, "He's telling 'em the Captain Jack story." Sure enough, when I listen for a few, he is actually telling them a fanciful version of Master and Commander. When he tells these sorts of stories to the kids...Lily and Tyler love his somewhat offbeat tot's version of Gladiator, too---it's like he's spinning some sort of wondrous fairy tale. He's now sort of combined the plot of his movie with that of Pirates of the Caribbean, just to make it more interesting. I wonder what all of these little ones' parents are going to think when they talk about what they learned today. He's talking about how Captain Aubrey captured a band of pirates and took their treasure, and glances at me to see my reaction. I shake my head, but I'm smiling at him, and then I get that smile of his back that melts my heart before he turns to finishing the story for his enraptured audience. When he's done, they all cheer and applaud and then it's back to playtime...the boys are actually fighting over who he will play with. The older ones want to have him playing with their beloved Lego's, and Josh and Tyler are vying with them for his attention with their chunky cars and trucks. Ever the seasoned, experienced father, Russ gives the younger ones big blocks, involves them with the others, and soon they're all hard at work building some fanciful creation.

Lily and her small girlfriends have migrated to the dolls and play kitchen over in the corner. I nearly lose it when I hear Sarah tell Lil in confidence, as if they truly were awestruck teenagers, "Your Daddy's so cute." Lacey nods, and they glance back over at Russell before returning to their play. I have to cover my mouth to keep from falling apart when she responds with a serious, "Thank you. I think so, too." Wow. I can't wait to fill him in on this one. We used to joke, when Lily was a tiny baby, what a heartbreaker she would be when she grew up, and I think there's more truth to that than either of us realize.

I go to help Kristen put together lunch for the kids---fish sticks, macaroni n' cheese, carrot and celery sticks for them, hamburgers for us---and then we get them all settled to eat. I can tell that both Lily and Tyler are happy and oh-so-proud that both Russ and I are there with them. Then, afterwards, everyone gathers on the carpet for Lily's sharing time presentation. Well, and of course, Tyler's too. He never wants to be left out, so he's right beside his sister waiting to speak his piece; Russell sits beside me in front of all the children, my hand in his as if he needs moral support once more. I really have no idea what Lily's going to say, so this should be very interesting.

"I picked my Dad and Mum for sharin' time, 'cause they're special," she says. There's no hint of nervousness that she's basically giving a speech; she must certainly get that from Russ, because heaven knows I'm not a very forthcoming public person who does well in front of a bunch of people. Ironic, isn't it, that I should end up with one of the most recognizable celebrities in the world, right? Tyler's little head is bobbing up and down in agreement and I'm waiting for him to jump right in with his opinions.

"My Mommy's special, 'cause she takes care of me 'n Tyler n' Daddy. She loves us and she plays with us, she reads us stories and I'm her helper 'round the house." "Me too!" the baby pipes up, and I smile, even though her words are beginning to make me feel rather teary. When she pauses, Tyler also adds, "Good Mama, love my Mama." "Me, too," Lily is the one to add this time, and Russell squeezes my hand, knowing I'm quite close to coming undone in front of everyone.

"My Dad's special, 'cause he loves all of us and he takes care of us, too. He takes me for rides on Honey..." once again, her brother's head's nodding away, at this he says gleefully, "Horsie!" and Lil patiently waits until he settles down before going on. "....he gives kisses and hugs and he put together my Barbie house." Apparently, this is VERY important to her. "He found me she-shells on the beach. And he married my mom." This almost sets me off again; this time I get another squeeze of my hand from my husband and he leans over to kiss my cheek, not caring that there are all these kids watching the entire thing.

"When my mommy got sick," she goes on, "he took care of her and helped make her better. She was sad, but she got better 'cause he loved her." I can't stop my tears now, though I'm not ashamed; seeing my whole bout with depression summed up so beautifully through my young daughter's eyes makes me realize how we all went through it together, as a family, and emerged through the other side as close as we could possibly be. "Sad Mama," Tyler adds, his tiny brow furrowed with reminiscing, even at his tender young age. "Daddy help-ded."

"So," Lily concludes, "that's why I love my Mum and Dad. Mostly, 'cause they love us so much." "Love 'LOU!" Tyler pipes up, and I think both Russell and I are now laughing and crying at the same time. She looks to Kristen for approval on her presentation and I can see her dab a tear aside before she goes, "That was very nice, Lily and Tyler." The two of them come back to us and we liberally shower them with hugs and kisses.

There's just a little more play time before we tell the two kids we had better head home. We've just barely left Kristen's and are on the way back when Lily asks, "Did you guys have fun today?"

"I was very proud of both of you, today, sweetie. The two of you gave such a wonderful sharing time talk," I tell her. "Thank you. I love you kids." 

"I've never had so much fun in my entire life," Russell tells her, and somehow I really believe he truly means that. 

Satisfied, Lil settles back in her car seat...Tyler barely made it to the end of Kristen's street before he conked out, Doggie firmly wrapped in his arms...and within another minute, she's also asleep, tired from all the excitement and the big day we all shared together.

"You okay?" Russ asks me, smiling at me as he slows down at a light. He takes advantage of that to lean across and kiss me soundly. I reach up and stroke his cheek before letting him go. "I'm perfectly fine," I respond. We both glance in the rearview mirror at the children; then at each other; then he threads the fingers of his free hand through mine as the light changes and we head back towards our home together.

I think to myself of what was important to Tyler and Lil where we were concerned. Not a word was mentioned about anything material; our children are probably a bit more spoiled than the rest of their little friends just because of Russell's celebrity and the things we can afford to give them. We try not to, but it's just a fact of life that they do have privileges and possessions that other children their age don't. And nothing was said, especially on Lily's part, about her Daddy's 'fame-muss-ness'---she's become more and more aware of it and what it means for all of us, but it still doesn't affect her all too much. I honestly think that even if she were giving this speech being ten years older she still wouldn't mention anything having to do with Russ' career because to her, that's not the side of her father that she cares about. No, what matters most to the children are the same things that I think matter most to me and to Russell: the simple, small, yet in themselves, very special things that make up life. I know as a couple, at least, the two of us tended to focus on the big things, until we had the kids and we realized that that wasn't really even the greatest part of who we were anymore. And I look forward to millions more of these tiny sweet slice of life moments in the future that's ahead of us.

When we get home, I lift out Lil and Russ packs the baby, and the two of us carry them in, get their shoes off of them and put them both down on Lily's bed to continue napping together. Then he simply takes me in his arms and we stand there gazing down on them for a long while. He doesn't say a word but just holds me tight and I'm certain he's thinking the same things I am. My heart stores this moment away as one of those insanely perfect ones to treasure forever. 

It's like the song goes: All you need is love. And I believe they were right.

Love IS all you need.  

:)