CHAPTER 25: Mason

I pulled on some shorts while Isabelle found a robe in the bathroom. We made our way to the kitchen, arms wrapped around each other like we’d never let go. I looked in the fridge as she made fresh coffee, deciding on omelets and toast. We needed to grocery shop soon, and I smiled as I played the words back in my head. “Did you both like staying here?”

“Kendra stared out of that damn window all the time. She loves your place. It’s so much bigger than ours.” Isabelle seemed nervous as she stared at the coffee pot and I stared at her.

“I’m serious. I want you two to move in. We’ll fix the room up any way that she wants and make it home. You could add your touch as well.” I saw her look at me and smiled. I wanted to encourage this because I wanted her. I needed her and Kendra here with me, so I could see them all the time. “Tanner moved to New York so that room is free. It’s the one Kendra is in right now.”

“It’s fast, Mason. We’re a package deal.” I heard the doubt in her voice. “What if it doesn’t work out?”

“It will work out and should it not, she loves me anyway. Living here won’t change that.” I pointed out as I started to mix the eggs and vegetables together in a bowl. “I consider Kendra my own daughter, Isabelle. I want her in my life.”

“I never thought I’d want a man to say that. I was in denial of this ever happening, fighting it.” She almost seemed to be talking out loud and I added some cheese and milk as I listened. “I said I wouldn’t rush anything but I have. You’ve met her and she adores you and that scares the hell out of me, Mason.”

“I am not scared enough not to do this. I love you.” Isabelle looked up at me. I breathed in and went to get a pan, melting some butter in it before adding the eggs. “I’ll cook you both breakfast on the weekends before we go see the city. We can have some traditional something that families cook on Sunday mornings. We can watch movies in bed on Saturday night, eating popcorn. I want all of that. Don’t you?”

She was quiet for a minute before she smiled. “I do.”

“Let’s discuss it with Kendra tonight and see what she thinks.” Isabelle’s eyes widened. “It’s just a conversation.”

“She’ll say yes. You know that. Should we wait a little longer?”

“No. We need to take this opportunity and go with it. I want you both in my life full-time.” I looked down and stirred the eggs slowly as she looked at me.

“Okay.” Isabelle poured two cups of coffee and brought me my cup, setting it down on the counter before kissing me softly. I slipped my arms around her waist and pulled her against me, forgetting about everything until I heard the pan sizzling. “Breakfast.”

I grabbed the spoon and stirred them, realizing that they were still edible as Isabelle laughed. “Are you sure you can cook?” She teased me as I smirked. “I think even I could cook in this kitchen.”

“And cook, we will. We have a little human to feed.” I reminded her as she looked at me with a loving gaze. I finished the eggs as she fixed her coffee. I slipped some bread into the toaster and we sat down at the table just inside of the dining room. It was currently a small one, but I imagined getting one for entertaining. I envisioned family dinners here in the future and considered converting the office to another guest bedroom.

“Where are you?” Isabelle asked after swallowing a bite of her eggs.

“Our future,” I replied as she smiled. We ate our late breakfast in a comfortable silence, letting our new reality sink in. After dropping the dishes into the sink, I led Isabelle back to my room so we could take full advantage of the empty house. We showered at the last minute and dressed, Isabelle looking for something from the pile on the dresser. She found some jeans and a sweater and slipped it over her head, pulling the wet curls out.

“I kind of wish that I could pick her up at school more often. It seems like she’s there so long,” Isabelle mused as we headed to my car.

“You could work from home sometimes. We both could.”

“You like work,” she reminded me as I laughed.

“Does she enjoy herself?” I asked as she smiled and nodded.

“She does. It was just her and Mom while I was going to school. I think she likes being around other kids,” Isabelle told me as I pulled out to the street.

“She’s just fine. She knows that its quality time when you’re with her. I encourage you to keep it that way and spend some time together one-on-one.” I didn’t want to invade completely in their lives. They only had each other for a while and I didn’t want anyone to forget that. I was glad that Isabelle’s father wasn’t in her life, in part because he sounded like an asshole and because I was selfish.

“You do?” Isabelle asked as I glanced at her at a stoplight.

“Absolutely.” We had a lot of memories to make together since I had a feeling she was the one. Hell, I think I knew that the first time that I met her.

“I am glad that you understand everything that I am scared about.” Isabelle told me, reaching for my hand.

“I am here to work through all of those fears with you. I am here to support you.” I turned down the street that led to the school so we could get a good spot in front. Isabelle warned me about the bad drivers and general chaos of pick up from the few times that she managed to do it. I found a good spot and rolled down the windows before shutting the car off. The breeze was cool and Isabelle smiled as she leaned her head against the cushion.

I watched as other parents pulled up to wait. Some talked on the phone, others read, and I saw a man sleeping. I smiled. I never thought that I’d be a part of this life. “Do you want more kids?” I asked out of the blue as she looked thoughtfully out of the window for a moment.

“I told Mom that I would in the right situation. I wouldn’t want to do it on my own again but I think that Kendra would like to be a big sister. How about you? Do you want kids?” Isabelle looked at me with a curious look in her eyes.

“If anyone would have asked me that three years ago, I’d tell them no way. I was all about working and moving up. To be honest, I never even wanted that with my ex.” I looked at her, taken back by how gorgeous she was. “I think I’d give you a baby right now if you asked me to.” Isabelle blushed and looked down and I sensed that I just overwhelmed her.

“I think there’s time for that,” Isabelle murmured as she gave me a surprised glance. I smirked and glanced over at the school, watching the quiet setting that would soon be filled with kids. When the bell rang, we both watched as little bodies flooded out of the school and parents came to life. I stepped out of the car and watched closely for Kendra, smiling as I watched her appear and look around. I walked forward, and she saw me, smiling as she ran up to me to throw herself in my arms.

I carried her to the car, asking how her day was. Kendra told me in a fast, never ending stream of words as I tried to make sense of it all. Isabelle stepped out and kissed Kendra before she buckled herself into her seat in the back. I gave Isabelle a long look as I started the engine and she smiled at me with a clear understanding on her face. “Are you hungry or do you want to wait for a while?” I asked as I looked in the rear view mirror. After round two, I felt like I could eat again.

Kendra asked me if we could go to a park and Isabelle rolled her eyes at me. I agreed, and we headed to the big park in the middle of the city, parking along the curb. Kendra got out first and went running to the play area as soon as we told her that it was okay. Isabelle reached for my hand and laughed beside me. “She is going to work you for everything she can. Be careful, Mason. She knows how to use those eyes. Works on my dad nearly every time.”

“I’m tougher than that.” I protested as she smirked at me. “It’s good for her to get some fresh air.” We walked to the playground and took a seat on a bench as I searched for her. I thought back to the day at the beach and knew that I’d never forgive myself if it had worked out any differently. I’d do anything to protect my girls.

“I do the same thing on days like this. It’s nice just to hang out together while the sun is out,” Isabelle told me wistfully as I glanced over at her.

“If you’d prefer to stay home, you could. I could support us, Isabelle.” She gave me a shocked look before shaking her head gently.

“No, Mason. I love my job. I just feel guilty that I don’t stay home.” She shrugged. “It is what women are supposed to want. I worked hard to finish school, so I could work.”

“That was before when you were a single mother. It’s different now,” I spoke softly, not wanting to push this.

“I want to keep things just the way they are. Will this step put my job in jeopardy?” Isabelle asked as she looked at me.

“I am not planning on advertising it. I keep my life fairly private.” I did. I knew that the fact that Ken was my uncle was a sore spot for a lot of people. That was when I chose to keep to myself, focusing on working and moving up in the company. It would be a stupid opportunity to blow. “I’d recommend that you do the same for the sake of gossip.”

“I didn’t get the job to make friends. Since I moved here alone with Kendra, I don’t think I’d have time,” Isabelle told me as she watched Kendra running around with some other kids. “I never guessed I’d find all of this.” I kissed her hair as she snuggled against me.

“It caught us both off guard. Believe me,” I assured her as she laughed softly. We watched Kendra playing and laughing in the crisp air for a while. After she was done, Kendra asked if we could get some pizza for dinner. I chuckled and told her that sounded great. We headed to the car, and I took them to a place I loved on the water. It was a bit of a dive but the food was great and I was good friends with the owner.

Isabelle took one of Kendra’s hands while I took the other, walking towards the door. I opened it and ushered them inside, waving at Gio as he called out my name. He finished with his customer and walked out to greet me, wrapping me in a hug. “Mason. It has been a while. How are you?”

“I am great, Gio. I’d like you to meet Isabelle and this is Kendra.” I smiled as he shook their hands and shot me a curious look before glancing around the restaurant. “How about the booth in the back here?”

“Perfect,” I told him as he led us over, calling for a waitress to come over and get our drink order. Isabelle watched with wide eyes as she sat down with Kendra beside her. Once he went to talk to someone else and our drinks were on the way, I looked at Isabelle. “He talks a lot but really a great man.”

“I can see that,” Isabelle replied as she looked around the charming room. “It sure smells good.”

“The Hawaiian is the best. Oh, and they all meat one too.” I felt my stomach growl as I looked at Kendra. “What kind do you want?”

“I like pepperoni. Can I have my own?” She asked as Isabelle laughed.

“Of course,” I replied as the waitress brought our drinks and asked if we needed more time. I looked around the table and was met with smiles and told Kendra to go first. She ordered a pepperoni pizza and Isabelle interjected to tell the girl a small once she asked how many slices there were. We ordered a large all meat and a salad to share and I sat back as we were left alone again. I looked at Isabelle and she smiled encouragingly at me.

“There’s something we’d like to talk to you about, Kendra.” Isabelle said as the little girl looked at us. Isabelle moistened her lips and looked at me nervously. “I talked to Mason today while we were working and we thought of an idea. How would you like to move into his condo and stay there?” She looked nervous as Kendra’s mouth dropped open and she stared at me.

“I can bring my toys over there?” I nodded and Isabelle smiled at her. “What about our apartment, Mommy? What about Nan?” They’d become close over the last few months and Isabelle stroked her hair.

“We could visit Nan anytime that you wanted. We could take her to dinner and show her Seattle.” Isabelle assured her as I watched her face.

“We could even invite her over for dinner,” I offered as they both looked at me.

“Would you both take me to school?” Kendra asked as I looked at Isabelle, nodding.

“We would. We could probably both pick you up most of the time as well.” I told her as Kendra reached for her lemonade.

“I like that idea. I love your house.” Kendra told him as she scrunched her nose up. “I think we should live there. Can we get a puppy?”

Isabelle choked on her drink as I laughed and we looked at each other. “Let’s think that over. We have work to do before we can get a pet.”

“What work?” Kendra asked as I smiled.

“I want to make your room pretty for you. Want to go look at some stores and find paint and stuff you’d like to put up?’ Kendra’s eyes widened as Isabelle cleared her throat.

“Yes!!” Kendra shouted as Isabelle looked around.

“Calm down, sweetie. There’s other people here eating dinner.” She looked at me and smiled with shimmering eyes. “I have always wanted to have a place that can make ours. I was working towards that.”

“I own it so go crazy. What’s your favorite color, Kendra?” I asked as she smiled knowingly. “Are you making me guess?” Kendra nodded. I thought back to some things that she’d worn and narrowed my eyes thoughtfully as the waitress delivered our food. “Pink?” Kendra shook her head, and I sighed dramatically as I thought some more. “Purple?”

“Yes. I want purple walls and pretty curtains.” Kendra told me as Isabelle handed us plates.

“We’ll do some looking around after dinner.” I told her as Isabelle reached for a fork and stabbed some salad. We started eating, and I saw Kendra smiling as she talked about the house and noticed Isabelle becoming more emotional. When we left, we got Kendra secured, and I closed the door before asking Isabelle if she was okay.

“I’m fine. You made her so happy. I never thought that she’d have someone like you in her life.” I pulled her close to me and held her as she breathed in.

“I love her, too.” I assured her as she hugged me. We made our way to the passenger door, and I got her inside before walking around to my door.

“Can we sleep there before my room is done?” Kendra asked as Isabelle smiled at me.

“Of course. We can bring some stuff over a little each day.” I promised her as Isabelle chuckled. “Do you have clothes for school tomorrow?”

“Yep can we take the fancy car again? My friends thought that was so cool,” Kendra bragged as I smiled at her.

“That car is for special days. We used it for the ride home from the airport that day. You’ll be in it again. Don’t worry,” I assured her as I pulled out of the parking lot and headed towards one of the big home stores.