Page 3 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

"That sounds like a wonderful plan."

"What sounds like a wonderful plan?" Mom asks, startling us.

"Grilling out tonight and seeing if you want to make some sides," Ezra says.

"You know my love language is feeding you all. Of course I'm down with this plan." Mom beams as she gives each of us a kiss, then hustles inside to start cooking.

"Good save, Ez. You know she'll drive you nuts if she thinks you're going to propose."

"I know. Plus, other than you, Daphne should be the one to experience this with me first."

"Agreed."

We fall into a comfortable silence.

Dad shows up not long after and executes a perfect cannonball, which starts a competition between him and the kids. He may be in his sixties, but he's a giant kid at heart and the best papa we could ever ask for.

"How are you doing with everything? Is the dick leaving you alone?" Ezra bursts my blissed-out state, ruining the only peace I've had in days.

I want to be annoyed, but I know he's just being the typical overprotective big brother.

"Nope. I haven't heard from him since a week after our divorce proceedings started and he realized that he wasn't getting any of my money or assets, no matter how many temper tantrums he threw.

"He signed over all of his rights for the kids, so I don't have to worry about him in that regard either.

His mom was trying to push for him to have some time with them, but his dad was the voice of reason and put a stop to that.

He knows I won't keep their grandbabies from them just because his son sucks.

We agreed to meet at a public location at least one a month, so they can see the kids while I keep the privacy of my home.

I'm not worried about his dad knowing where I live, but I wouldn't put it past his mom to tell Chad where our new house is.

Their house is off limits as well because I can't guarantee she wouldn't have him show up there unannounced.

Thankfully, his dad understood and is fine with me meeting them elsewhere without letting his wife know ahead of time. "

"That sounds like a lot." Ezra's brows are furrowed as he runs his fingers over Layla's back.

"It is a lot, but it's doable for one or two visits a month.

I've always liked Chad's dad. It was his mom who helped Chad become the entitled asshat he is today, and from conversations we've had, his father is well aware of that.

I don't want to penalize him because of that.

He's great with the kids, and they adore him.

I can deal with her for one afternoon for their sake. "

"You're a saint, Cel. I don't know if I could have half as much grace as you've had during all of this. You've handled yourself so well and have been so damn strong. I'm really proud of you."

I blink rapidly behind my sunglasses to stop the tears from spilling from my eyes. Leave it to my big brother to tell me the words I didn't know I needed to hear, when I've been struggling so much lately. "Thanks, Ez."

"Are you guys all settled into the house, getting used to a new routine?"

"We are. I love the house, and so do the kids. It feels like home, which is exactly what we needed, especially after living here. I was afraid the kids were going to have a hard time adjusting, but they've done great."

"That's awesome. And retirement?"

I wrinkle my nose at the term, even though he's technically accurate.

"It's alright. I miss some aspects of modeling, but being home with the kids is more fulfilling."

"Would you go back?" Ezra's attention shifts from me to a stirring Layla, which gives me a moment to think about my answer.

"I don't know. For one, I don't know if I would book any jobs after being out of the business for so long, and my body has changed. I've had three babies."

"Celeste…"

"No, Ezra. It's true. I'm not body shaming because I still love my body, but I have to be realistic as well.

My body isn't top model quality anymore.

I'd be limited in what I could do as a model now.

I love couture and walking the runway for those shows, but my body has filled out.

It wouldn't be the right fit anymore. But… "

"But what?"

"Well, I have been thinking that maybe it's time to put my PR degree to use and see about becoming a modeling agent.

I've worked all aspects of the business and have had great and horrible agents.

It could be amazing to help someone new to the business build their career without being taken advantage of or put in harmful situations, like me and so many of my friends found ourselves in because we had shitty agents since that's all we could afford and didn't know any better. "

"I love that idea, Celly. You would be perfect as an agent. You're still well respected in the community and have excellent contacts. Would you work independently, or would you try to get in with an established firm?"

"I have no clue. I've just started kicking the idea around.

I love being home with the kids, but I don't want being their mom to be my entire identity.

Talon's starting school in a few weeks, and Calla will be going to preschool three days a week.

I figured that now is the perfect time to think about what I want to do before all of my babies are out of the house, in school, and I'm left floundering at home for the eight hours they're gone. "

"Well, whichever direction you decide to go, I know you'll do great."

"Thanks, Ez."

"Mama?" Layla stirs on Ezra's chest.

"Did you hear Mommy's voice, sweet girl?" Ezra croons.

Layla sits up and rubs her eyes. The moment she realizes he's holding her, she buries her face in his neck and squeezes her little chubby arms around him.

"Hi, my little Layla Bug. You want to go swimming?" Ezra climbs from the chair with a smiling Layla in his arms.

I get the sunscreen from the bag and on her, then put on Layla's sun hat and give her a quick kiss.

Ezra pulls me in for a hug as Layla wraps her little arm around my neck and babbles happily.

"Love you, girls," Ezra mutters as he places a kiss on each of our foreheads.

"We love you too, Ez."

"Alright, let's go swim, Bug." Ezra walks into the shallow end of the pool with Layla.

I relax back on the lounger.

The kids, my dad, and Ezra enjoy the hot summer day and the cool pool while I take in just how lucky I am to have these amazing men in my life. Chad might not have been the father and husband I wanted for myself or the kids, but I no longer feel like I'm drowning on my own.

I don't know what our future holds, but I know the kids and I will be just fine as long as we have our family by our side.