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Kelsey hugged the woman back.

“Please, call me, Marti,” she said, letting Kelsey go. “How was the trip?”

“It was great,” Isabella replied, looking over at Kelsey.

“Yeah it was,” Kelsey said with a shy smile.

Isabella watched this play out and couldn’t believe the emotions that flowed through her. Kelsey belonged with them. She knew it and now her family did too.

“Can we have pizza tonight?” Gus asked.

“Yeah, Mom,” Wyatt added. “We promised Kelsey we’d get Santini’s when she came to see us!”

Isabella turned to her mother. “One evening when we were talking to Kelsey on the phone, our pizza arrived, which led to quite the discussion on the best toppings.”

“That’s right,” Kelsey agreed. “What toppings are you going to get, Wyatt?”

He gave her a sly look. “Sausage and…onions.”

“Oh, yuck,” Kelsey said, making a face. “Not for me.”

Wyatt laughed. “I was just kidding. I know you don’t like onions, neither does Mom. How about sausage and olives?”

“Ohhh,” Kelsey exclaimed. “I’m in.”

“Wait,” Gus said. “Let’s get one with pepperoni, too.”

“I love pepperoni, Gus,” Kelsey said. “It’s my favorite!”

The little boy beamed a smile at Kelsey. “Do you want to play a video game with me?”

“Oh?” Kelsey narrowed her gaze. “Do I? Are you going to kick my you-know-what?”

Gus giggled. “Yep. I’m gonna dominate!”

“Come on, let’s set the game up,” Wyatt said, putting his arm around Gus’s neck and pulling him towards the TV.

And just like that Kelsey made her place in this family. Dana and Emma were all they were missing.

The next day Kelsey went with Isabella to take the boys to school. Isabella needed to check in with a couple of clients and Kelsey tagged along. They met Marti for lunch then went home to work on the marketing campaign.

After they returned from a trip they usually waited a day before looking back over their posts and reading over all the comments. Now, they sat side by side on Isabella’s couch, both staring at their computers.

“These are all okay,” Kelsey said. “There’s nothing negative. Several have asked what we’re doing in May.”

“Since we’re doing the trip at the end of the month we could make it a graduation trip,” Isabella suggested.

“Or a school’s out celebration,” Kelsey said.

Isabella nodded. “Either would work. I’ll email Carmen and let her choose.”

Kelsey closed her laptop and leaned back on the couch. Once Isabella hit send, she set her computer on the coffee table and turned to Kelsey. She leaned in and softly kissed her.

“Mmm,” Isabella murmured. “Do you have any idea how much I loved waking up this morning with you in my bed?”

Kelsey smiled. “I could get used to waking up with you every morning.”

“Is that so,” Isabella said, pushing Kelsey down on the couch. “You were afraid to make a sound last night.”