Page 34 of Slashed By You (Chicago Steel #5)
Chapter 34
Kenzie
M y parents are here, and they finally get to meet Josh and Issac. I have obviously introduced them over FaceTime many times, but it’s different in person. Josh was here for the first few days, but he had to leave for another road trip. He’s due back two days before Thanksgiving, and I couldn’t be happier. The weekend following it is a home series, so he’ll be here for a longer stretch of time. I’ve been planning some family activities, but because Issac is still so small, there isn’t much to do. My parents watched him while I went to get my hair cut and had a massage. We’ve also taken field trips to CakeStop to check in with Toby and the rest of my staff. Toby is killing it in his new position as the manager.
Last night my dad mentioned he had a craving for a death by chocolate cupcake, so this morning I texted Toby and asked him to set a few aside for us.
Time gets easily skewed when you have a newborn. Leaving the house before noon is an honest-to-goodness miracle. At a quarter past one, we walk into my shop and the familiar buzz of the coffee machine and chattering customers permeate the air. My heart sings. This is what I imagined when I used to daydream about CakeStop before it was a reality.
“Kenz,” Toby shouts from behind the register. Then he stops, whips his head back and forth, and questions in a growl, “Where’s my nugget?” His reaction is adorable, and it causes me to smile.
“Chill, Toby. My parents have him. He’s in the stroller and they’re looking at something outside.” Toby returns to smiling.
“Oh, good. I thought I was going to have to sell your cupcakes as punishment for no baby snuggles.” I just roll my eyes and give him a hug.
The front door chimes and in comes Issac and his entourage. Toby’s met my parents before and he gives them quick hellos before he descends on the baby with flair. “There’s my squishy face. Uncle Toby is here. Did you miss me as much as I missed you? Who on earth dressed you today? Yikes. Too many colors and patterns.”
Laughing, I answer, “I dressed him. Josh is coming home today and I have him in Steel colors since he doesn’t quite fit into child-sized Steel gear.”
Reaching into the stroller and unbuckling Issac like he’s done it a million times, Toby pulls my grinning baby toward him. He baby talks to him, which is the cutest thing. Even though I don’t have any siblings, Toby has filled that void for me. He is the best uncle ever. When Josh was out of town, he came over to hold Issac while I took a much-needed shower. He painted my toenails while I sipped on overpriced smoothies he brought me that were supposed to increase my milk supply. He is the best friend I’ve ever had.
“Hey, Toby. You’re coming over for our non-traditional Thanksgiving dinner, right?” He’s quick to answer yes, but he stops himself from saying more and turns away. “Toby?” I press.
He slowly turns back to me. “Yes.”
I put my hands on my hips. “What aren’t you saying?”
A nervous look appears and disappears in a flash, and I question whether I imagined it.
He grins. “It’s nothing, really. I’m just dreaming about all those creamy carbs and having no dishes to wash.”
Pursing my lips together, I let my inquisition go. “Since the shop is closed the next day, are you going to stay the night and go shopping with me in the morning?”
Toby looks at Issac, then at me and nods his head. “You, my dear, have yourself a date.”
After Toby gets his fill of baby cuddles, we tuck Issac back in his stroller and grab the cupcakes. It’ll be lunchtime for everyone when we get home. And a few hours after that, Josh will be home as well.
Later that night, after dinner and Issac’s bath time, I’m in the nursery folding some clothes while my parents watch Issac before bed. Looking around the room, I can’t help but notice all the special touches Josh put in. At the time, when he decorated the room with the guys, he only knew we were having a baby, not that I was carrying his son. Watching his face light up when he first saw the baby on ultrasound will forever be burned into my memory as one of my favorite days. He held my hand as the 4-D image appeared, squeezing it when he saw the flicker of our baby’s heart. His excitement was palpable, making the room buzz with energy.
I don’t hear Josh enter the nursery, as I’m busy folding and sorting. “Need any help?” he offers in his deep baritone voice.
“I’m good,” I answer, recognizing it’s the first time in weeks I’ve actually felt that way.
T oday is Thanksgiving and we’re having dinner with my parents and Toby. There isn’t much to do other than tidy up. Having my mom and dad here with us has allowed me to keep up with most of my house chores.
As we gather around the table for an early dinner, we share about what we’re thankful for. Toby goes first, saying he’s thankful for me making him the manager of the store. My parents, who’ve spent the entire meal passing Isaac back and forth, admit that they are most thankful for their first grandchild. My mom has tears in her eyes as she adds on her hope that there will be more.
When it’s my turn, I look around the table, and my heart is bursting with love and happiness. “I’m so thankful for each of you. Toby, you are the best friend a girl could ever have. Since we met, you’ve supported and encouraged my dreams.” Looking at my parents, my voice shakes. “Mom. Dad. You have always supported and loved me. You helped me dream and encouraged me to go after what I wanted. You are the best parents and grandparents, and I’m blessed to call you mine.” My mom sniffles and we share a heart-warming smile. I squeeze Josh’s hand. “You are the love of my life. You’ve given me the best gift I could ever ask for. Issac is so fortunate to call you Daddy, and I am lucky to call you mine.” Josh leans over and kisses my cheek. Then he lowers himself to one knee.
“Kenzie, I am so undeserving of you.” He grabs my hand and squeezes. Our eyes lock and everything around us disappears. “Over the last three months, you have made my dreams come true. All but one. And today, I’m rectifying that.
“You are an incredible woman, partner, daughter, friend, and mother. I am blessed to have you in my life. I want to scream from the mountaintops that you’re mine, but first I have to ask you one question.” I stare at him, waiting. “Babe, will you marry me?” Opening the ring box, he shows me an incredible two-carat princess-cut diamond solitaire.
“That’s stunning,” I whisper.
He nods. “Yes, it is… And if you agree to marry me, it’ll be all yours.”
My hand flies up to my mouth. “I didn’t answer you?”
Josh shakes his head no.
Then I laugh. “Yes, Josh. My answer is yes. I’ll marry you.”
He slides the ring on and tugs me into his arms for a passionate kiss. It almost drags me under when a thought strikes me. Pushing back, I ask, “You asked my dad?”
He laughs at me, looks over at my parents, who are all smiles, and answers, “Of course I asked your dad. In fact, both your parents gave me their blessing.”
O ver the next few months, life is busy. Toby is still managing CakeStop like a champ since I’m on maternity leave. The Steel is leading the division and is looking to add another Cup to their resume. When Issac is napping, I’m working with Stephanie on another Steel Your Heart gala. The past few have been a tremendous success in raising a lot of money for Embrace You. Their clients can focus on their breast cancer journey instead of worrying about some basic needs. I’m so grateful to be part of it. This year I’m revealing a handful of new desserts that we don’t carry in CakeStop yet. After the gala we’ll add them to the menu with a portion of the proceeds going to Embrace You for future clients’ needs.
On top of all that, Josh and I are also planning our wedding. It’s set to be a quiet affair with just our best friends and, of course, my parents. Considering all the drama that Josh has had with his parents—his father especially—he isn’t inviting them, and after a long conversation, I understand. And then, after we tie the knot, we’re jetting off to Kauai the following week for our first family vacation. I’ve never been to that Hawaiian island. I hear it’s lush and magical, and I can’t wait.
Most of all, I can’t wait to be Josh’s wife. In my heart, I’m already his, but it’ll be nice to make it official. We’re already a family. I still can’t believe this is my life now. A business owner. A mother. Soon to be a wife. Sometimes I lie awake at night wondering if I’m dreaming. But then I’ll feel Josh curl around me, pulling my body into his, and I’ll hear those cute little baby snuffles from the monitor by the crib, and I know it’s all real. I’m just so incredibly blessed to be living a life I never thought was possible.