Unexpected Reality (36 page)

“Yep.” He turns, lifts me up, and sits me on the counter. “You can keep me company.”

“How do you think they’re doing with the little guy?” I ask.

He smiles up at me. “I was just thinking the same thing.”

“Can we call her?”

Drying his hands, he reaches across the counter, grabs his phone, and dials Reagan. Putting it on speaker, he hands it to me with a quick kiss before going back to the salad.

“Hello,” Reagan answers, laughing.

“Hey, sister,” Ridge says. “How’s our boy?”

Our boy.

“Adorable. Tyler is making these crazy-ass faces and his grin is cracking us up. He’s talking up a storm.”

Ridge lifts his head and he’s smiling from ear to ear. “That’s great. Let us talk to him.”

“Sure, hold on a second. Hey, Knox. Daddy and Kendall want to say hi.” I hear rustling, and then his little baby babbles come over the line.

“Hey, buddy. Daddy misses you,” Ridge says into the phone.

Knox coos and babbles some more.

“Say hi,” he whispers to me.

“Hey, little man. Hope you’re being good for Aunt Reagan.” I wait to hear his baby talk back to me, but there’s nothing.

“Hey, who was just talking to him?” Reagan’s back on the line.

“Kendall,” Ridge says.

She laughs. “You should have seen him. He was looking around everywhere, like you were going to be hiding behind him or something. Here he is again.”

“All right, bud. You be good. Daddy and Kendall will see you tomorrow,” Ridge tells him. Greeted with silence.

“Same thing. Kendall again?” Reagan asks.

“Nope. It was me.”

“You two have this little guy spoiled rotten.” She laughs. “All’s good on the home front. He’s getting ready to have his last bottle for the night before we put him down.”

I wait for Ridge to ask if Tyler is staying too, but he doesn’t. I’m sure once it hits him he’ll be wanting answers. It
is
one of his best friends and his little sister, after all.

“Sounds good. We’ll be home early afternoon, in time for the cookout at Mom and Dad’s,” Ridge tells her.

“Gotcha, brother. You two kids behave,” she says, and the line goes dead.

“He sounded happy,” I whisper.

“He is happy. He’s loved.” Ridge kisses me slowly. “I need to go check on the steaks.”

I could not have asked for a better trip. Kendall and I spent the entire time wrapped in each other’s arms, exploring each other’s bodies. It’s a night that I’m sure to never forget.

We left a little earlier than what I planned, but when I woke up this morning with my girl in my arms, something was missing—my son. It’s like she could read my mind, because she asked if we could leave a little early to get back and beat traffic. I knew the real reason why.

Mom and Dad are having another cookout for the Fourth. They love to entertain and now that Dad is retired, Mom doesn’t mind it as much because he’s there to help her. I have one more surprise for Kendall this weekend—I called her parents and invited them. They made up an excuse when she asked them their plans. I want both of our families together. Family is important and she’s a huge part of mine, and I want her parents to be involved in that.

“I almost forgot to tell you.” She turns to face me in the passenger seat of the truck, as much as her seatbelt will allow. “I got Knox the cutest little outfit for today.” She stops. “I mean, if you want him to wear it today.”

“Hey.” I reach over and grab her hand. “Yes, I do. It’s fine, babe. I love that you love him,” I tell her honestly.

She grins. “It’s the cutest little pair of jean shorts, and a red shirt and blue tank top. I even got him a matching fisherman’s hat and a pair of sunglasses.”

Seeing her excitement over an outfit for my son makes me smile. She’s such a sweet person with a heart of gold. I’m a damn lucky man that she chose us.

“We’ll have to make sure Mom gets a picture of the three of us. Not that we’ll need to ask her, since she always has her camera at the ready at these things.”

Ten minutes later, we’re pulling up outside my house. Kendall’s car’s in the drive, and so is Tyler’s truck. I make a mental note to ask him if there’s something going on with him and my sister.

Kendall meets me at the front of the truck, and I hold my hand out for her. She doesn’t hesitate to lace her fingers through mine as we head into the house.

“We’re back!” I yell as soon as we step into the entryway.

“In the living room,” Tyler calls out.

Reagan is asleep on the couch, and Tyler has Knox in the crook of his arm, watching the sports channel. “He was up three times last night. She’s exhausted.” He points to my sister.

“Did you stay here with her?” I ask him.

He hesitates. “Yeah, fell asleep on the couch. She didn’t wake me.”

I look around my living room and see a pillow and blankets that my sister is using. His story seems to add up.

I reach down and take Knox from him. “Hey, bud. You kept Aunt Reagan up?” He coos and smiles at me. “We missed you,” I say, reaching out to snag an arm around Kendall’s waist, pulling her into me.

“Hey, Knox,” Kendall coos, and I swear he lights up. “We’re going to Grandma and Grampa’s for a cookout,” she tells him, tickling his little foot.

“He had a bath,” Reagan says, eyes still closed. “He shit all over himself at six o’clock this morning.”

“Aww, did your belly hurt?” Kendall asks him.

He grins. My boy.

“Tyler, take me home. I have to get ready.” Reagan literally rolls off the couch. After climbing to her feet, she walks toward me and gives all three of us a hug. “I’m proud of you, Ridge.” This time, her voice is serious. “You do this on your own, and never once complain.”

“He probably just missed me, that’s why he didn’t sleep well. Usually, he sleeps at least six, sometimes eight hours, straight.”

“He missed you guys. Look at him, all smiles.” She chucks his chin. “See you in a few hours.”

“You need a ride?” I ask her.

“Nah, man. She’s on my way, so I’ll swing by and pick her up.”

I watch as my sister and Tyler wave over their shoulders as they drag ass out the door. “Something’s going on there,” I tell Kendall.

“Hmmm.”

“What do you know, woman?”

“I know she’s your sister and she’s amazing. I know Tyler must be a great guy because he’s important to you. I know you should stay out if it, and if there
is
something going on, let them figure it out.”

I smack her on the ass. “Go shower and get ready. We men don’t take near as long.”

She stands on tiptoes and kisses my cheek, then gives Knox one on his as well before grabbing her bag and running up the stairs.

“She’s special, Knox.” He babbles. “I’m glad you approve, because Daddy wants to make her a permanent part of our lives.” He coos and moves his little arms. “She loves you too, little man. She loves you too.”

I spend time with my son, trying to pull every smile from him I can. That’s how Kendall finds us, lying on the floor, me acting a fool just to see him smile.

“My boys look happy.” I can see in her face she didn’t mean to let that slip.

Grabbing Knox, we stand to greet her. “Your boys think you look beautiful.” She does. She’s wearing red shorts with a white and blue layered tank top. She’s also wearing a blush from my words. Will she ever get used to me telling her, stop blushing? I hope not.

“My turn.” She opens her arms for Knox. “Let’s get you ready while Daddy takes a shower.”

I kiss her, getting lost in her, in us, until she says “Ow!” Looking down, Knox has her hair tight in his fist. “Guess he was jealous.” I laugh and help free her from his grip before dashing off upstairs.

The driveway is full by the time we make it to my parents.’ I’m glad; maybe she won’t notice her parents’ car. I don’t look for it, because I already know they’re here. Dad texted me just as we were leaving the house.

I grab Knox, seat and all, drape the diaper bag over my shoulder, and reach for her hand. “I have to carry the food.” She laughs.

“No, leave it. I’ll come back out and get it.”

“Ridge, that’s silly. I can carry it.”

“No, I want you with me. Come on.” I tug on her hand to pull her away from the truck. “Let’s say hello, and I’ll come back out and get it.” She shakes her head, but doesn’t say anything else as she laces her fingers through mine and we head inside.

We take all of Knox’s things to his bedroom, as Mom calls it. “You’re gonna have the ladies drooling,” I tell my son.

“He looks so cute. Here, don’t forget the glasses.” Kendall hands me a mini pair of Aviators. Where she found them, I have no idea, but they make him look cute as hell.

Knox in one arm and the other around Kendall, we head out to the back deck.

“What?” She turns to me, mouth hanging open as soon as she sees her parents. “How did you . . . ?”

“I wanted our families to get to know each other. This is us, sweet girl,” I whisper in her ear just as her parents approach us.

“Hey, you two.” She grins, giving each of them a hug. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“It was all Ridge.” Her mom turns to me. “Thank you for the invite.”

I put my arm back around Kendall and pull her to me. “You’re family.” I can see recognition in her eyes from my simple statement. Yeah, I love her and this is permanent.

“Can I hold him?” her mom asks.

I nod and transfer Knox to her arms. He’s good for a few minutes, until his little lip juts out. Kendall is next to him in a flash. “Hey, bud. It’s okay,” she says softly. His eyes follow her voice and then he grins when he finds her.

“Like father, like son,” her dad says, coming to stand next to me.

“She’s amazing,” I tell him.

“That she is, just like her mother.”

“You’re a lucky man.” He is if her mother is anything like her.

“So are you,” he replies.

“I love her.”

“I know. I can see it. You remind me of me.”

“Then you know what I want.”

“I do. She’s my baby and she’s not had the best of luck with men, so take care of her.”

“With everything in me.”

He laughs. “Good talk.” He squeezes my shoulder and leaves me to join my dad back at the grill.

The rest of the day is filled with family and friends, and lots and lots of food. Mom always makes way too much. I keep Kendall and Knox close, touching her every chance I get.

“Hey, I’m going to go check on Knox and help them clean up,” she says, trying to move off my lap. I hold tight.

“He’s fine. Mom is in the house, and I have the monitor.” I point to where it’s sitting on the patio table.

“Ridge.” She laughs. “I’m going to go help your mom.” Her voice is final, so I kiss her shoulder and let her go.

“You haven’t let her out of your sight all day.” Dad says, taking the seat beside me and handing me a beer.

I wave my hand, declining. “Can’t. I’m driving home, and I have Knox tonight. Already had my two for the day,” I tell him.

He nods, a look of approval on his face. “I’m proud of you, son. You’re a damn good father.” He takes a long pull of his beer. “I like her.” He points his bottle to where Mom and Kendall are standing in the kitchen. Her parents left a couple hours ago.

“I love her,” I tell him.

He laughs. “You always did know what you wanted.”

I don’t say anything, because he’s right. I’ve always gone after what I wanted, and Kendall is no exception.

“Hold on to that, Ridge. I can see she cares for you too. It takes work and a hell of a lot of love, but I promise you if she’s the one, it’s all worth it.”

“She’s worth it,” I assure him.

He nods and that’s the end of that. A man of few words, my dad, but when he does talk, you listen. He always has something profound to say.

Today, he didn’t tell me anything I didn’t already know.

Kendall is everything.