Chapter Sixteen
Alyse
Every night Kaden and I go through the same routine of him watching and talking to us through video chat. We don’t always end the night like we did that first night. It was fun, but he insisted on continuing to get to know me.
He also told me about his plans on building a house on a section of land that Bryce is going to sell him. I’ve been talking to Emma a lot this week. She took me for a walk on the property, and even though I don’t want to get a head of myself, I can see the perfect little cottage being built. I say little, but I want more kids. I’m not sure if Kaden wants more or that we will even be together. That’s what I want.
Willow wants to move into the apartment above the store. I laughed because she’s making plans like it’s set in stone that I’m going to be moving in with Kaden.
He’s coming home tonight. I say home likes it’s his home. It is, though. He’s going to building a house, so it’s going to be his, right?
I’m working behind the counter, preparing a list of next week’s specials. The bell above the door lets out the familiar ring. Kaden.
I rush around the counter and jump into his outstretched arms.
“God, I’ve missed you. You smell so good,” Kaden says in my ear.
“I smell like a greasy diner,” I tease.
“Grease is good on you,” he says. “Where’s my boy?”
“He’s with Willow, but should be here any minute,” I say just as Willow and K.C. come strolling in the door.
“Da Da!” K.C. squeals, leaping from Willow to Kaden.
“Good thing I have quick reflexes, little man,” Kaden says, hugging K.C. tight.
“Wow. He’s a lot bigger in person. Damn, Alyse. No wonder K.C. is off the baby charts. Hi, I’m Willow. The bestie,” Willow says, holding out her hand.
“Nice to finally meet you. Thank you for being here for them. It’s comforting to know someone has her six when I can’t,” Kaden says, shifting K.C. and shaking her hand.
“Looks like a party in here. Hey Willow, hey there K.C. You must be Kaden. I’m Kat. The diner manager,” Kat says, holding out her hand.
“Wow, I’m meeting them all at once. Nice to meet you, Kat,” Kaden says. “Please don’t take this wrong, but can I steal her and K.C.?”
“Of course, you can. We see enough of her. Go, I have the diner,” Kat says.
“I have to head over to the hospital. K.C. has been changed and fed. We had a great time at the park today, didn’t we, buddy? I need a baby. I need a man first, but man, you should have seen all the dads there checking me out,” Willow says, laughing, but ending with a sad look.
We say our collective goodbyes as the three of us head up to the apartment. It feels so good to have him here. I knew I missed him but having him finally here feels amazing.
I can’t stop touching him. It’s like I want to make sure he’s really here. I have two days. Two days until he leaves again.
♦♦♦
Every week we go through the same routine. We get closer every day even though we spend the majority of them apart.
Kaden was right. K.C. took his first steps right into his arms the last time he came home. Kat was walking around the store holding him by his hands, and as soon as Kaden walked through the door. K.C. took off. It was one of those stumbling baby walks. I was able to capture the last part as he fell into Kaden’s arms. I had full on tears, and Kaden couldn’t stop smiling. I saw the pride rolling off him.
Kaden and Bryce finalized the paper work for the land. We paid for the survey to be completed for the deed. Kaden then started asking me what I wanted. I wouldn’t answer him at first. Only telling him it was his house his choice. He immediately caressed my chin and made me look him in the eye, telling me that he wanted to build our future. It was my home and he didn’t want it if I wouldn’t be in it with him.
I love this man so much. He can be awkward at times, but when I’m feeling any doubt, he knows exactly what to say. Sometimes it’s just a look. Other times it’s his actions, but when he finds the words, they hit home.
The love he shows us is completely mind blowing at times. It’s like every moment we share is the best he’s ever had. He’s attentive but not smothering. I fall deeper and deeper in love with him.
I’m going through house plans that he got for me. He picked out his favorite but wants me to choose the final design. I found my little cottage. From the front, it’s looks quaint and simple. From the side it seems to go on forever. There are actually five nice size bedrooms and three full baths. There’s an open floor plan with the bedrooms placed around the main living area. It gives you almost a feeling of a college quad. I’m completely in love with it.
Kaden loves the idea that it has five bedrooms. We were both only children, so the idea of a big family is what we want. They break ground in two weeks.
K.C. is going to be a year-old right before Kaden heads out on tour. I’m trying to organize a party that Kaden can be a part of. I can’t let him leave without celebrating this first mile stone of his son.
I’m getting scared of him leaving. I know that he flies into some pretty hostile regions. He finally told me about the one where he lost a few of his brothers. It’s amazing that Emma and Bryce found each other. This whole fate thing that Rigs always talks about is so true. I’m seeing it in my own life as well as others around me. It’s pretty amazing really. I’m still really scared. I don’t know what I would do if I lost him.
The scariest thing was when he told me he changed his will to include me and K.C. I didn’t want to hear it. I don’t want to think of life without him. With him putting us in his will, it made it just too real. I had to excuse myself to cry in the bathroom. When I came out, he was leaning against the wall. I immediately fell into his arms crying again.
“Sweetheart, I’m sorry. I don’t want to scare you. However, anything can happen. I saw it first-hand. I want you both to be taken care of. I know it’s morbid and not something you want to think about, but it’s something that we need to be prepared for just in case. It’s done and I won’t bring it up again,” Kaden says, rubbing my back.
“I know. I understand. It just made me think the worse. I don’t want to lose you, Kaden. I love you so much,” I sniff out, rubbing my face in his chest.
“I’ll be okay. I can’t promise you anything, but I will do everything in my power to come home to you and K.C.,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
“I know. I don’t want to think about it anymore. Just come home,” I say.
“I love you,” he says, holding me closer.
“I love you more,” I say, sighing into his chest.