Chapter Twenty-Seven
The morning of Kat’s birthday started spectacularly. Mia and Tyson made her breakfast in bed. Tyson had taken her daughter out shopping the day before and Mia bought her a necklace with both their birthstones.
After a long lecture about receiving gifts gracefully on her birthday, he told her the only thing she was allowed to say was thank you and handed her a gorgeous bouquet of flowers. “This is just the first of many.” He grinned, kissing her nose.
After breakfast she was instructed to shower and dress in comfortable, loose-fitting clothes. From there, she was blindfolded and whisked away to a mystery location.
“No peeking!” Mia warned, as they shuffled her into the car.
After a disorienting drive, she was shuffled back out of the car and the blindfold was removed. Blinking into the sunlight, she focused on her surroundings.
They stood on a cobblestone walk at one of the swankier sections of New Castle in front of a discreet establishment called Trinidad’s. It looked like a salon.
“Come on,” Ty instructed, taking her hand.
The front was set up like a boutique. A cosmetics counter sat to the left and a receptionist desk to the right. In the back, through an archway, customers were getting their hair styled.
By the way the clientele was dressed and the appearance of the employees, she gleaned it was an upscale place. Frowning, she glanced down at her outfit, wondered why Tyson told her to dress in sweats.
Before she had a chance to ask him he went to the desk and said, “Appointment for Katherine D’Angelo.”
“Oh, Miss D’Angelo,” the girl at the reception area welcomed. “Happy Birthday! Are you ready for your Journey?”
“My journey?”
“Yes, it’s our platinum package. We start you off with a paraffin dip, a pedicure, and manicure. Then you head downstairs to the spa for a one-hour facial and massage. You’ll take a break in our Zen room, where we bring you champagne, tea sandwiches, and fresh fruit. After that, you shower and return upstairs for a cut and style. We finish your journey off with a professional makeup consultation.”
Her eyes widened. She usually got her hair trimmed at The Cut and Curl in New Castle for ten dollars. This place definitely cost way more than that. They didn’t even have a board that listed prices. You know that means it’s expensive as hell.
She bit her lip and kept her promise about accepting Tyson’s gifts gracefully, but it wasn’t easy. “How long does all that take?”
“Usually four hours.”
She turned to Ty and Mia. “And what are you going to do?”
“We’re going to the pun’kin patch!” Mia said.
“Don’t worry about us,” Tyson said as he kissed her cheek. “It’s your day. Relax and enjoy. I’ve got our day covered. We’ll be back to pick you up in a few hours.”
“Okay, but this had better be it for the presents.”
He smiled and waved. “We’ll see. Happy birthday, kitten.” He left with his little accomplice.
Four hours later Kat was convinced she’d been drugged. It wasn’t natural to feel that good. Her face was baby smooth, her muscles Jell-O, her cuticles gone, and there were no calluses on her feet. Her hair was completely frizz free and she had finally learned how to properly apply makeup. It was magnificent. However, relaxing was hard work. After all that pampering she needed a nap.
But there was no time for napping, and she doubted she’d be able to sleep knowing they had dinner at her parents’ in a little over an hour. When they returned home she went to her room to change and found a blouse, a pale yellow cardigan, and an A-line skirt hanging from her closet door. . On the floor sat a pair of brown-heeled boots. A note hung from the hanger.
Although I find you prettiest in nothing at all,
I thought you would look stunning in this.
Love you,
Ty.
“Aren’t you just the sweetest?” she whispered, admiring the clothes.
“Who’s the sweetest, Momma? Me?”
She grinned at her daughter, thinking this was shaping up to be the most incredible birthday she’d ever celebrated. “Yes. You’re one of the sweetest.”
“Tyson picked that out,” Mia informed. “He said you look pretty in skirts.”
Sighing, and unable to erase the smile from her face, she shut her eyes and simply savored the moment, knowing she’d never forget it.
Once she was dressed in her new outfit and had Mia cleaned up from the pumpkin patch, Tyson returned. Her relaxed state ebbed, the closer they drew to her childhood home. Tyson must have noticed her tension, because he took her hand and whispered, “Everything will be fine.”
When they arrived, her father greeted them. “Well, here’s the birthday girl!” He kissed her on the cheek, hugged Mia, and shook Tyson’s hand.
When they entered the parlor she braced herself. Vivian sat on the settee holding a cocktail, her back ramrod straight. “Hi, Mom.”
“Katherine.” Her tightlipped greeting made her feel anything but welcomed.
“Hi, Grandma,” Mia called, and Vivian’s posture relaxed ever so slightly.
“Mia, darling. I’ve missed you.”
Tyson approached. “It’s nice to see you again, Mrs. D’Angelo.”
She sniffed and turned away. “Mr. Adams.”
“How about some drinks?” Her father announced. “I know one little girl who probably wants a Shirley Temple.”
When the cook announced dinner was served, they moved to the dining room. Vivian’s lips were pursed so tightly she looked like she was holding her teeth in place. Kat wondered if her father slipped something into her mother’s drink.
Her father was very friendly to Tyson. He treated him as a welcomed guest and talked to him about business, politics, family, and the economy. Tyson’s voice filled with affection whenever he mentioned Mia and Kat, and her father’s eyes gentled.
As they finished the main course and waited for the ultimate white chocolate mousse to be delivered, Vivian delicately cleared her throat. “Tell me, Mr. Adams, do you find it amusing to play the affluent role or do you prefer more urban settings?”
Kat’s attention jerked to the foot of the table, knowing her mother’s silence couldn’t last forever and dreading the cutting comments that might come erupting out of her now that she’d finished her cocktail.
Tyson tipped his head. “I interact with some very wealthy clients, but I also enjoy being involved in the construction aspects of each project, so I guess you could say I enjoy wearing many hats, Mrs. D’Angelo.”
“Tyson’s recently finished a big project in Washington for one of the women who donated to your Independent Women’s Foundation, Mother.” Kat helpfully added, pushing for normalcy. “Jones, I think her name was.”
Vivian ignored her comment. “And no doubt, your parents are impressed by your success. What do they do for a living?”
“My father works for a company that manufactures kitchen appliances and my mother hasn’t worked for the past four years. When she did work, it was as a waitress.”
“And why has your mother given up working? She isn’t one of those people milking the government with false claims of incompetence, I hope.”
“Mother,” Kat hissed, but Tyson gave her a quelling look.
“Not at all,” he calmly said. “My mother worked since she was nine years old. Four years ago, when I built them a new home free and clear, she expressed her wishes to remain home and give her days to her grandchildren. She often baby-sits for my sister Gloria’s boys and I believe she’s also watching my newest cousin, Malcolm.”
“No doubt your family believes in unlimited breeding.”
Kat’s shoulders tensed.
“I’m not sure I follow,” Tyson slowly replied.
“Well, people of our status believe in limiting a family’s offspring to no more than two children in order to keep the economy balanced, but I imagine your culture supports overindulgence, rather than proven studies. I believe it’s referred to as zero population growth. I’m sure you learned about it in school.”
Tyson briefly glanced at her, aware that he had been dealt an insult. “Yes, I am aware of the theory. However, I believe my culture, as you put it, believes in having as many children as one can love and support, while also placing a strong value in family history and heritage.”
She sniffed, unimpressed. “And do you have any offspring, Mr. Adams?”
“Vivian,” her father whispered her mother’s name in warning.
“I do not,” Tyson said. “But I do wish to marry one day and, hopefully, have a large family.” He glanced affectionately at her and, despite the cooling climate of the room, her face heated.
“Well, surely you’d prefer to marry within your own. No one wants to burden an innocent child with unnecessary challenges in life.”
“Vivian, that’s enough,” her father said through clenched teeth.
Drawing back, Ty blinked. The audacity of her mother left her speechless.
Collecting himself, he said, “Every child faces challenges in this day and age. I hope to be a good enough father that my children always know they can come to me and I’ll support them through any difficult time. Whether my children are black, white, mixed, Christian, Muslim, gay or heterosexual, I plan to love them all the same. And no challenge or mistake would ever lessen my affection for them.”
“But surely you would prefer to father children of your own race, in order to sustain your culture,” Vivian continued.
Kat gaped at her. “Are you drunk?”
“I’m only asking what other’s silently assume.”
“Vivian, I said that’s enough,” her father ordered.
Her mother looked at him as if he was without consequence and returned her attention to Tyson. “Sometimes, Mr. Adams, the people we love most in this world disappoint us more than anyone else. And their selfishness is unforgivable. I would proceed with caution if I were you. I mean, if you truly cared about someone, you wouldn’t sentence them to a life of ostracism and cruelty. Believe me, I know what that’s like.”
“Vivian that is enough!” her father stormed, his palm coming down on the table hard enough that the ice rattled in the crystal glasses. He turned to Mia and said in a softer voice, “Sweetheart, there’s some candy on my desk in the study. Why don’t you go see if you can find it?” Mia left the room and he turned to her mother. “You will apologize to our guest.”
“I will not! This is my home and I’m free to express my opinions here.”
“This is our home!” he thundered. “And Mr. Adams is our guest and a friend of Katherine’s. I will not have you insulting him or behaving like a self-important bigot. But most of all, I will not sit here and watch you hurt our daughter! My God, Vivian, she’s our child. Will you ever be satisfied? I’ve stood idly by for years and watched you drive a wedge in this family with your relentless cruelty. If you continue, we’ll lose Mia as well. Take them away from me and I guarantee this house of glass you stand in will shatter,” he growled in a tone Kat had never heard him use before. “Now apologize!”
Never in her life had she heard him speak with such vehemence. Vivian sat, scowling venomously. Finally she tossed her linen napkin on her table and stood, storming out of the room.
Her father cleared his throat. “My apologies to both of you. Vivian seems to have been spoiled by having her way for too long and I’ve neglected to remind her of her place.” He smiled sadly at her. “I’m sorry, sweetheart. I should’ve never allowed her such authority. Please, let’s forget about her for now and enjoy the rest of the evening.”
Tyson nodded and the dessert was served. However, the rich, feathery mousse had lost its flavor and now tasted like sand in her mouth.
They didn’t see her mother for the remainder of the night. Once Mia started to get tired they gathered their belongings. At the door, her father kissed her and held her back as Tyson carried Mia to the car.
“Katherine,” he said with a pained look in his eyes. “I owe you an apology. I let your mother decide what was right for this family for too long. I want you to know…” He paused as if searching for the right words. “I want you to know how proud I am of you. You’re a wonderful mother and a good daughter. I love you.”
Her entire body shivered as his words struck deep. For so long she’d waited to hear such praise, know she’d earned his approval. No matter how many times she told herself it wasn’t necessary, her soul seemed to recognize the arrival of such desired praise. She blinked back tears and rasped, “I love you too, Daddy.”
He hugged her and when he pulled away, he placed his hands on her shoulders. “This Tyson fellow seems like a good guy. So long as he continues to make you happy, he’s all right by me.”
Smiling, a tear slipped from her lashes. “Thank you.”
Something intangible had shifted in her life. It was impossible to place, but it came as if it had always been. The need to continuously justify her choices drifted away and, for the first time in her adult life, Kat was surrounded by a sense of validation. This was her life and she was doing just fine. The fact that she’d questioned herself for so long seemed absurd, now that this new found confidence surrounded her.
Taking what she wanted felt good, not because it was her due, but because there was no legitimate reason for her to deny herself. As if the walls that contained her for so many years had finally come down, her future was filled with endless possibility. Though there were plenty of people obstructing her journey toward a happy life, she would no longer be one of them.
The first indulgence, she decided, would be welcoming her relationship with Tyson into her home without veils. The night of her birthday she invited him to stay. Waking up beside the man she loved was a pleasure she cherished, not because it gave them time alone, but because it gave her a reason to smile before she even opened her eyes.
His scent blanketed her pillows. His warmth heated her skin. It was a comfort she longed for and found it impossible to live without.
After her father had confessed how he felt, a sense of closure came and she could finally understand that her mother’s issues were not his, nor were they hers to bear, and she finally put down that cross.
Tyson was a fundamental part of her life and Jeremy was becoming a fundamental part of Mia’s. The joy Kat took from watching them together was immeasurable. Everything seemed to be fitting together as if it were destined to be this way.
Jeremy had his father’s house demolished and contracted Tyson to develop plans for his new home. The two were quickly becoming friends. Sometimes, he even stopped by Tyson’s for manly business, such as game watching, beer drinking, and ball scratching. It worked out perfectly, because even on the days Mia wasn’t scheduled to be with her father, she still was able to see him.
Kat’s father started coming to dinner on Mondays and sometimes they ate at Tyson’s. Jeremy took Mia on Wednesdays, which became date night—something she never imagined in her schedule. And on Sundays, like today, Mia was anxious to see one of the men who had quickly become a prominent part of her life.
“Do my hair pretty, Momma.” She always insisted on looking the best for her daddy.
Jade made a point to pop in on the days Jeremy visited. The girl was on a mission. Jeremy was resisting her not so subtle invitations that they should hang out, and according to Ty, it was costing him dearly. It didn’t take a specialist to see the signs. Sometimes he’d blush at the most innocent words, like “underwear”, when purred from Jade’s mouth.
As Kat brushed Mia’s hair, Jade applied a fresh layer of gloss. “Do you like this color?” she asked, rubbing a finger over her teeth.
“I want some!” Mia yelled, and Jade smudged a dab across her lips.
“I think it’s fine,” Kat comment, pulling Mia back to her lap to add a bow to her ponytail.
Tyson chuckled at the stove. “You don’t give up easily, do you, Jade.”
Jade tossed the gloss back in her purse and scooped up her coffee. “Until you look me in the eye and tell me he’s not interested, I see no reason to back down.” She arched a brow at Ty and he shook his head. “See? You can’t say it, so that leads me to believe I’m hot on his trail.”
“What are you, a detective?” Kat joked.
“Yes, and I spy a hot guy…”
Kat shook her head.
“Order up,” Ty said, sliding a plate of bunny pancakes in front of Mia.
Kat slid her off her lap and stood just as a knock sounded from the door. Jade straightened her posture and smiled. Kat rolled her eyes. “You’re relentless.” Turning, she opened the door and stilled. “Mom.”
The kitchen silenced.
“Katherine.” Vivian clutched her purse to her chest. “I came to see my granddaughter.”
“Grandma!” Mia broke the silence.
Shifting so her daughter could come to the door, Kat stepped back as Vivian entered. When she caught sight of Tyson in his pajama pants and no shirt, she froze.
“She’s going to her father’s today.”
Her mother stiffly nodded. “I see.” Her gaze returned to Tyson.
“Good morning, Mrs. D’Angelo.”
“Look Grandma! Tyson made bunny pancakes.”
Apparent disapproval reflected in her mother’s eyes. “I’ve missed you, Mia,” she muttered, as though wishing her audience would disappear.
The door opened and Jeremy stepped in. “Daddy!” Mia sprung into his arms, completely forgetting her grandmother’s presence.
Jeremy hugged her. “Hey, princess. You ready for an adventure today?”
“Yeah! Where are we going?”
He grinned and kissed her pudgy cheek. “It just so happens I have two tickets to the aquarium.”
Mia cheered. Vivian intensely observed the byplay.
“I’ll get Mia’s coat,” Kat announced, escaping to the hall closet to catch her breath. Not until that moment did she realize how little she missed the chronic tension her mother’s judgment triggered.
Ty appeared at the closet door. “You okay?” he whispered, his fingers softly massaging her shoulder.
“Yeah. Maybe once we get Mia on her way she’ll leave.”
They returned to the kitchen and Kat helped Mia with her coat. Vivian requested a hug and Mia then followed suit without further prompting—hugging Kat, Jade, and lastly, Tyson.
Ty kissed her hair as his arms wrapped around her little body. “I love you, Mia. Have a good day.”
“I love you too,” she said and kissed him on the lips.
Vivian paled.
“Ready?” Jeremy asked with a grin.
Jade followed the two out of the house and Tyson stood to clear the plates. Kat awkwardly shifted, wondering how long her mother would linger. He disappeared for a minute then returned, wearing a sweatshirt and shoes. “I’m going to let Trixie out. I’ll see you later, Mrs. D’Angelo.”
As he opened the door her mother said, “Mr. Adams, wait.”
He paused with his hand on the knob.
“I seem to owe you an apology,” Vivian said, staring in his general direction, but not making eye contact. “My behavior the other night was uncouth and undeserved. I was hoping that we could, perhaps, start again.”
“I think that would be a good idea, Mrs. D’Angelo.”
“Being that you seem to be important to Mia and my daughter, I would like it if we could remove any animosity between us.”
He shifted, but took a moment to consider the truce. “I love your daughter and Mia very much, Vivian. I’d never do anything to hurt them, but I also won’t allow them to be hurt by others.”
Comprehending the warning, she nodded jaggedly.
Kat held her breath as he leaned close, kissed her ear, and whispered, “I’ll be back in five. Don’t take any shit.”
The door closed and her mother exhaled. “It seems my advice means nothing these days.”
Kat turned and carried the last of the dishes to the sink.
“Mia seems to be adjusting well to Jeremy’s return. How does he feel about Tyson spending so much time with you?”
She turned and braced her weight on the counter. “How’s he supposed to feel, Mom?”
“Well, I’m just saying, you two have a history.”
“What we have is a child together. Don’t pretend our relationship was more meaningful than it was. I’m not one of your friends. I know the reality of my situation and I don’t need it sugarcoated.”
“But it would be nice for Mia—”
“Mia’s perfectly happy with the way things are. We all are.”
She pursed her lips. “Why do you always argue with me, Katherine? If I say up, you say down.”
“You need to stop trying to make me into a woman I’m never going to be.” She held out her hands, encompassing her home. “This is me. I’m not rich. I’m not fancy. I don’t care about impressing people who will never approve of the life I lead. I’m done apologizing for being exactly who I am. And you need to either accept that this is the life I chose or…” Butt out. “You need to accept it.”
“I’m trying.”
“Try harder. If not for me, then for Mia.”
Glancing down, she gripped her purse.
Kat looked at the time. Ty would be back any minute. “Listen, if you’d like to start seeing Mia again, that’s fine. I know she’d enjoy that. But Jeremy has a schedule with her and that comes first. Maybe you can have the Sundays he doesn’t take her.”
“You would have to let me know which dates,” she said, as if that minor complication was the end of the world.
“That’s fine.” Taking a deep breath, she offered an olive branch. “Also, I’m planning a surprise party for Tyson at the end of the month. I mentioned it to Daddy and he said he’d see if he could make it. Ty’s parents will be there and I thought it would be nice for them to meet you. You’re welcome to come too, but Mom, these people are important to me.”
“God forbid I make a scene at his birthday.”
“See,” she tsked. “That, right there. That’s the crap I’m not going to tolerate.”
“Katherine, he accosted your father’s associate at a formal affair!”
“Daddy doesn’t even like Dawson!”
“That’s not the point,” she argued, and Kat’s blood boiled.
“What is the point, Mom? How would you feel if I told you Dawson practically forced himself on me, thinking because I have a child I’m some sort of a whore?”
“He wouldn’t do that—”
“He did! Right there on my front porch! I had a bruise on my leg because he grabbed me so hard, but you don’t want to hear that. You’re probably thinking of some excuse, something I did in order to provoke him. You might not like Tyson, but I can promise you he’d never disrespect me the way that man did.”
She sniffed. “It’s irrelevant now.”
Laughing without humor, Kat said, “You’re right, but your feelings on the subject aren’t. It matters to me that my mother will defend some asshole before her own daughter. If anyone ever spoke to Mia that way or scared her like that, I’d kill them.”
“What would you have me do, Katherine?”
“Just be on my side! For once!”
“I am on your side. For years, I’ve done nothing but try to make your life better. I thought having a husband would—”
“I didn’t need a husband! I needed my parents.” Lowering her head, she said. “I was a kid. You took me to that apartment, put two thousand dollars in my bank account and abandoned me when I was eight months pregnant. Do you have any idea how terrified I was? I didn’t want your money. I just wanted to know I could go to you when I was scared or confused, and I could talk to you without being judged or made to feel like an idiot.”
Vivian met her gaze, her lips tensing, as words seemed to crowd the tip of her tongue. “You’re a good mother, Katherine. Sometimes I see the way Mia looks at you and depends on you, and I… I feel like a failure. All I ever wanted was to be close to my daughter.”
Startled by the compliment to her parenting skills, her anger ebbed. “Then you need to get to know who your daughter is. I’m not a debutant. I’m not graduating from some Ivy League school like some of your friends’ kids. And I’m not sorry.”
She sighed. “I’m tired of fighting, Mom. So what if you can’t brag about my car or if you’re not brimming with pride over the fact that I rent a home? You have Mia. Be grateful for all the incredible things she brings to our lives, but I’m telling you now, I will never let you control the woman she becomes. I want her to be happy and that isn’t a state you get to define for her. It’s whatever she wants it to be.”
She nodded. “I’m not used to this new side of you, Katherine.” She stood. “I will try my best to be better.”
“Thank you.”
“I’ll let you know about next Sunday. I assume Jeremy won’t be taking Mia.”
She nodded. “Let me know.”
Without a show of affection, she opened the door and left.
Kat’s shoulders sagged as she roughly exhaled. Ten o’clock in the morning and she was ready for a drink.
Tyson awoke, the morning of his birthday, and grinned, pulling Kat’s soft body close to his so he could nibble her ear.
She stretched and purred, “Good morning, birthday boy.” Turning, she nuzzled his neck as her warm hand slid beneath the covers finding him already aroused.
Easing to his back, he grinned as she slowly stroked. “Do I get special birthday privileges today?”
“What would you like, old man?”
“You.”
“I believe I can provide that.” Slithering under the covers, she crawled between his legs and kissed his chest.
He pulled her closer, so her legs were straddling his. “Put me inside of you, kitten.” He groaned as her warmth engulfed him. Birthdays are good.
She slowly moved, languidly, milking her pleasure. Leaning forward, he took one puckered, pink nipple into his mouth as she slowly rocked back and forth. Making love to Kat in the mornings was his favorite way to start the day. It gave him something to wish for in the future—his future with her.
Falling back on the pillow, he raised his hips and pressed deep into her core. She hissed out a breath in sudden pleasure. With unhurried movements, the tension in her brow eased as he made love to her. “You feel that, kitten? That’s me, coming home.”
Rotating her hips, sinking fully down onto his length, she pressed so close it seemed they’d never break apart—he could only hope. Leaning forward, her fingers dug into his flesh. It was an exquisitely unguarded moment he committed to memory. She was a vision.
With shallow breaths, they pulled each other close as they worked their pleasure. Her sex fluttered and contracted as she moaned deep and long. His release pulled from the base of his spine as he thrust deeper.
Glancing at her soft belly, the way it folded with each rock of her hips, he envisioned the future and longed for the day his child might be there, their souls entwined in future that could not be undone. Kat was the one. He’d never been more certain of anything in his life.
A year ago, he thought he’d understood what his family had been pushing him to find. He understood the general process of life. People got married and people had kids. But not until he had fallen in love with Kat did he truly understand the magnitude of finding such happiness. Now he understood what being in love fully meant and his definition of happiness had met a new standard. Life was good.
Tyson finally left to meet the foreman for Jeremy’s project. As soon as he walked out the door Kat grabbed the phone and dialed Jeremy’s number.
“Good morning,” he answered and she smiled, liking this new level of friendship they developed over the passing weeks.
“Morning! Okay, you have to keep him occupied until four o’clock. Just like we talked about. If he tries to come home, you get him drunk. Understand?”
“I accept my mission. And try to breathe, Kat. It’s going to work out great.”
“God, I hope so.”
She hung up and located a bag of paper plates, cups, napkins, streamers, and other party decorations. Mrs. Adams and Gloria arrived as soon as she was dressed, followed by Gloria’s husband Darrel who was delivering the tables and chairs. Darrel also brought little Davis to keep Mia occupied, which definitely helped. There was a ton of work to do.
Mrs. Adams took over in the kitchen, prepping the food for the party as soon as she smothered Mia and Davis with kisses. Kat and Gloria followed Darrel out back and opened tablecloths to dress the tables. The kids played under a nearby tree as they set up for the party.
At eleven, Darrel left to go pick up the cake and Gloria and Kat made the punch. Mr. Adams arrived at one with the balloons and then took the kids for a walk to the park. The house smelled delicious and she loved learning all the different ways Tyson’s mom cooked.
Darrel constructed a crooked standing grate that he insisted was a fire pit. They were all a little concerned about the soundness of the lopsided structure, but didn’t want to hurt his feelings. At two o’clock she jumped in the shower and got dressed for the party.
Guests started to arrive at three. Kat greeted them and took their presents to a table out back. Tyson’s mother had set up a buffet and kids could pilfer the bucket of toys and yard games. Gramma Tessa and Mrs. Bradshaw were in charge of supervising the children as they roasted marshmallows over the sad fire pit.
By three-thirty most of Tyson’s family had arrived as well as many of his employees and friends. Jade showed up in an adorable dress. “What do you need me to do?”
Kat filled her arms with party hats and noisemakers. “Take these out and try to get people to wear them.”
“On it!”
Brushing a strand of hair out of her eyes, she turned back to the cookie tray.
“Katherine?”
Her eyes lit. “Daddy.” Abandoning the deserts, she gave him a kiss and hug. “Let me introduce you to Ty’s parents.”
Tyson’s mother was the first to see them as she escorted her father out back. “Mrs. Adams, this is my dad, Edward.”
“Well, aren’t you a handsome thing.” She gripped him in an affectionate hug and her father actually laughed. It was interesting watching Ty’s mom tease her father. The man actually blushed.
Mrs. Adams took over the introductions, pulling her father from one guest to another and handing him a large cup of punch. Taking a deep breath, Kat smiled, as the unimaginable seemed to take place and her father easily mingled.
There was no Vivian, but Kat couldn’t pretend she was surprised. After their conversation the other day, her mother had a choice to make. The important thing was that Kat made it clear it was her mother’s choice and she’d be the one to live with it.
Not wanting her mother’s antics to spoil her good mood, she grabbed a cup of punch and lingered by the gate. Tyson’s car pulled up to the house just after four. “He’s here!” she called, hushing the guests as they gathered by the back gate.
Tyson entered the house. “Kat?” Opening the back door, he grinned.
“Surprise!” they yelled and Mia squealed with excitement.
He bashfully smiled as he walked over to Kat and gave her an affectionate kiss. “Sneaky kitten,” he whispered. Glancing around, he laughed. “You all got me.”
As he mingled and greeted his guests, she finally was able to relax. All her hard work paid off. Tyson seemed thrilled and in phenomenal spirits. Laughter mixed with music as guests enjoyed the food. They sang happy birthday and Jade and Jeremy helped pass out pieces of cake.
When it was time for gifts, everyone gathered around as Tyson opened his presents. Mia sat on his knee and helped him tear the paper, sticking the leftover bows on Tyson’s bald head. Kat gave him her gift last—a homemade blanket and two tickets to see Nora Jones in concert.
As he thanked her with a borderline inappropriate kiss, she smirked and whispered, “Did you get everything you wanted?”
“Almost,” he said and she frowned.
“What did we forget?”
“Nothing that can’t be fixed. Stasia,” he called his young cousin. “I saw another gift inside on the kitchen counter. Will you go get it for me?”
Stasia passed Malcolm to Gramma Tessa and went into the house. She returned a minute later carrying a small, black gift box with a silver bow on top. She handed it to Tyson.
He took a deep breath and exhaled, shaking his head. “This is what I wanted.”
Smiling, she wondered whom it was from. Her face went numb as he dropped to his knee and took her hand. The guests gasped in excitement and she froze.
“Kat, in the past six months, you’ve given me more happiness then I have ever imagined possible. You’re an amazing woman, an incredible mother, and I think I fell in love with you the minute I saw you gawking at me on my roof with my shirt off.”
Her face burned as everyone laughed.
“You let me into your life and made yourself a home in my heart. I couldn’t imagine a day without seeing your smile or hearing Mia giggle. I want to grow old with you, watch Cinderella until my head’s ready to explode, and always keep you cool during heat waves. But most of all, I want to love you for the rest of my life. Let me love you, Kat. I’ve never wanted anything more. Katherine Rose D’Angelo, will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
Blinking through glassy eyes, everyone else disappeared as she stared into the face of the man she loved. He opened the box and there sat the most perfect solitaire diamond engagement ring. Her vision blurred as tears spilled past her lashes.
Swallowing back the lump of emotion clogging her throat, she sniffled and laughed. “You aren’t supposed to buy other people presents on your birthday.”
“You’re all I want,” he softly whispered. “Now, I’m an old man, stop giving me a hard time and say yes.”
She sobbed and gave a tearful laugh then blurted, “Yes, I’ll marry you!”
An explosion of cheers rent the air and as if on cue, Al Green began to play.
Tyson stood and pulled her into his arms, passionately kissing her as the guests went nuts hooting and hollering. He pulled the ring from the box and placed it on her finger. It was a perfect fit, just like him.
“I love you, kitten.”
“I love you too.”
Pulling her into a hug, he kissed her ear and whispered, “First comes love, then comes marriage. Soon enough, we’ll have ourselves another baby in a baby carriage.”
And, once again, she started to cry. Only this time, they were tears of absolute joy.