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A warmth fills my chest at his words. “I absolutely do. I’m in love with your son, Mr. Keith. Meeting him was the best thing to ever happen to me.”
Kaison laughs. “Well, you’ve sure changed your mind about that. Did you know she rejected me when I tried to flirt with her at the club when I first met her?”
Mr. Keith laughs. “I bet you weren’t used to that.”
“It’s what made me want her. I knew she was different right from the start. Definitely a keeper.” He threads his fingers through mine, and the warm fuzzies travel from my head to my toes.
I look up into his blue eyes, and my heart overflows with love for this man who started out as my enemy. Boy, things have changed now. I don’t know what I would have done without him. I’m a changed woman, and so very happy.
We have a bright future ahead of us, and I, for one, can’t wait to find out what’s in store. Maybe babies with Kaison’s eyes and a very happy grandma.
* * *
Callie and Weston sit at the foot of the twenty-foot-tall tree as Angel rips the wrapping paper from the set of stacking cups Grandma has brought her. She squeals in delight and claps her hands and then proceeds to figure out how to open the plastic packaging. Eventually she gives up and just sucks on it instead.
Mittens and Zeb are chasing each other through the discarded wrapping paper, occasionally attacking each other and rolling around like one giant bundle of gray-stiped fur. It reminds me of the old fashioned cartoons that show a cloud of dust with an occasional leg or arm protruding when people get into a fight. TV sure was a lot more violent for kids back then.
Angel grabs ahold of Zeb’s tail, and he turns around and gently licks at her hand, like he knows she’s a baby and he has to be careful with her. But he’s not exactly enjoying having his tail pulled, either.
“No, no, Angel,” Callie says, prying her little fingers loose.
Kaison and I are snuggled up on the couch, taking in the joyful scene around us.
“Kaison, you have a ring under that tree for Ariana?” his mom asks.
Kaison laughs. “I think we’re going to take things a little slower than that. We’ve only been together a few weeks. And if I did have a ring under the tree, you would have ruined a pretty great surprise.”
I know I would have said yes if Kaison popped the question now, but I’m glad he’s not rushing things. I want to take my time to get to know him better, to open up to each other on a deep, meaningful level. Things like that can take a while. And I’m okay with that. As long as I get to see Kaison.
The software had its official launch last week before everyone started their holiday vacation time, and it’s already showing a significant amount of savings for the company. Kaison and I went out to celebrate the night after the program launched, and I quickly learned that I’m going to need to expand my wardrobe quite a bit more if I’m going to be Kaison’s girlfriend. Not that I need to. I want to. Because he’s taking me to one fabulous restaurant after the other, and I’m having way too much fun getting dressed up.
And the more I dress up, the more I want to buy more cute clothes. Farah has had a heyday going shopping with me, and Kaison’s mom got wind of it, too, and now all my presents have been jewelry and clothes and shoes. Stuff I never would have picked out, but totally love now that I’m seeing them. I don’t even want to think about how much some of the items cost. But it’s important to Mrs. Keith to give the gifts to me. It’s one of the ways she shows love.
Kaison finally told all his family about his book series, and he went public with it. He even landed a few tv interviews after his mom blasted social media with the news of his identity.
They’ve had to tighten security on the property because there were some paparazzi sneaking around the grounds.
Langston and Brensen are the next two to get gifts. They rip open the packages, and each of them hold up something knitted and ivory-colored.
“What is this?” Langston asks. Mittens runs up to it and bats at the dangling corner like Langston is playing a game just for her.
His mom just giggles. “You won’t need it just yet, but if all goes well, you’ll be glad you have it.”
“It looks like some sort of blanket,” Brensen says. “But it’s tiny.”
“That’s because it’s a baby blanket, you bozos,” Weston says.
Langston tosses his to the side like it’s burned his fingers. “No way am I getting some girl knocked up anytime soon.”
“Mom,” Brensen complains. “Are you serious?”
“Well, all my friends get to knit baby blankets. It’s only fair that I get to make some too. You won’t even have to hold onto them. I’ll keep them safe for you.”
“Good, because I don’t want some girl finding that at my place and thinking I’m desperate for a kid,” Langston says.
“Well, Jenni already knows Mom wants you to give her grandbabies, so it’s too late there,” Weston teases.
“I told you already. Jenni is off limits. Her brother would come after me if I tried to date his sister. I don’t want to mess with Ronnie. I don’t care how much you want me to date Jenni.”