Page 6 of The Winning Hat Trick (The Steel City Knights #1)

Celeste

" A lright, Talon, smile!" my mom calls.

I hold a squirming Layla, who wants to be in the picture with her big brother, in my arms. My life got a whole hell of a lot harder when this sassy little lady started walking a week ago.

"I can't believe he's starting kindergarten already," I whisper as I try to fight the tears.

My dad's arm is wrapped around my shoulders, holding me close while also holding me together.

"I know, sweet girl. Imagine how I felt when my baby had her first baby." He nods towards Talon, who's making funny faces at my mom.

"Am I late?" Ezra comes rushing in the room out of breath as if he ran the whole way here from his house.

"Nope. You're right on time." I step out of my dad's grasp and go to my big brother, who wraps me in his arms.

He places a kiss on the top of my and Layla's heads, then scoops Talon up, tossing him high into the air.

I'm so damn thankful to have such great men in my dad and Ezra, to make the important days like today a little bit easier.

Talon might not miss Chad dick, but the longing I have for a supportive, loving father for my kids hits that much harder on days like today.

"I can't believe you're ditching me for school, little man." He tickles Talon's belly.

"I gots to, Uncle Ezra. I need to learn all the things so I can come work with you and Uncle Matty."

"You have to. And that's right." Ezra ruffles Talon's messy hair. "We'll be so excited when you can join us, ya know that?"

"Yep! Can we go now? I don't wanna be late." Talon fidgets anxiously as he eyes all of us adults.

"Sure. Who do you want to ride with?" I brush the hair out of Talon's eyes. I wanted to cut it, but he refused, and I lost the fight when Daphne said he looked handsome. My son is more than a little smitten with my new friend.

"Can I ride with you, Mommy?"

"Absolutely. Let's get in the car. Has anyone seen Calla?" I try to find my daughter, who's been too quiet for my liking.

"She's in her room. I think she's a little upset that she's losing her best friend." My mom smiles sweetly as my heart breaks for my little girl.

"Can you take Layla?"

"You take Layla and get in the car. I'll get Calla and make sure she's good. We don't want Talon to be late." Mom winks since there's still half an hour until school starts, and it's only about a fifteen-minute drive there.

"Thanks, Mom. Make sure you remind her that it's her turn next week when she starts her preschool classes!" I give her a squeeze, relieved that I have her, my dad, and Ezra by my side on these important days.

"You bet, honey."

With the kids settled, we put on the Z-O-M-B-I-E-S soundtrack and sing our hearts out on our way to the school. Since we're out in the country instead of in a town, Talon is attending Sparrow Falls Elementary.

Once there, we take a million more pictures before we all walk Talon to his classroom.

"Hey, you!" I call out to Spencer then pull her in for a quick hug. I was ecstatic when I found out Spencer was his teacher.

"Hi, Celeste." She squeezes me back before squatting down to Talon's level. "You must be Talon. It's nice to meet you. I'm Mrs. Sanders. I'm so excited to have you in my class this year."

"Pleasure to meet you," Talon says proudly, his shoulders back and his hand held out in front of him. He gives Spencer a confident shake before saying goodbye to his little sisters.

I raise my brow at Ezra and cross my arms. Apparently, my big brother has been giving my son some important life lessons behind my back.

He looks at me sheepishly, his hands tucked into his jeans as he shrugs. "What? Talon understands the importance of a good handshake."

I sigh in exasperation as Spencer chuckles softly beside me.

"Alright, baby, I'm gonna head out. I hope you have the best day ever, and I'll be back this afternoon to pick you up, okay?"

"Okay, Mommy."

"I love you," I whisper in his ear as I squeeze him tight to me.

"Love you more." He pulls back, a mischievous smile on his face as he runs towards the corner where a few boys are playing with some cars.

"Come on, sis. Let's go get some breakfast." Ezra tucks me under his arm, then guides me out of the classroom and back to the parking lot.

Breakfast is fun, but my momma heart is missing my little boy. Logically, I know my kids will grow and need me less as they do, but it feels like I was holding baby Talon in my arms just yesterday. Next week, my Calla girl will start preschool, and then it will be just me and Layla at home.

Maybe it is time to start thinking about what I want to do next with my life instead of feeling sorry for myself that the inevitable is happening.

I make a promise to myself that once the kids and I settle into our new routine, I'll prioritize figuring out what I want to do next and how to make it happen.

"Come on, Calla. You loved this dress last week. Why is it no longer pretty?"

"My fwiend, Stewwa, says yewwow is not pwetty. I no like it no mowe. I am not pwetty in it."

How the fuck, am I already arguing with my toddler about whether she's pretty or not?

How the hell am I going to survive her teenage years if this is already a fight we're having?

And fuck you, Stella. Who the hell do you think you are telling my little girl yellow isn't pretty?

When did three-year-olds become savage fashionistas?

"Calla, baby, you are the prettiest girl I know. You are pretty because you're kind, loving, and so fun. You are not pretty because of the clothes you wear. You are pretty on the inside, which makes you pretty on the outside, understand?"

"Uh-huh."

"Great. Now please put the dress on so we aren't late."

"Otay, Mama."

I watch her warily from the corner of my eye as I get Layla's diaper changed and her clothes on. Calla doesn't fight me any more on the dress, and we're able to get in the car and to school without either of the kids being late.

"Looks like it's just you and me, Layla Bug. What do you want to do this morning?" I look in my rearview mirror at my sweet girl, who's busy gnawing on her hands.

Poor girl's teething and having an awful time of it.

"How do you feel about seeing if Auntie Daphne wants to go get some breakfast?" I know Daphne isn't her aunt yet, but it's inevitable at this point.

Pulling out my phone, I shoot a text asking Daphne to meet at the diner, before leaving the preschool.

I find a spot in front of the diner, so I park, then pull out my phone to see if Daph got back to me. "Looks like Daphne will be here in a few minutes. What do you say we go snag a table?"

Layla babbles from her car seat, so I take that as confirmation.

I love the Sparrow Falls diner. It's the quintessential small town, mom-and-pop place with its retro flooring and bar top, and booths to match.

The decorations are black and white, and there are pictures of the town's history and surrounding area, along with several scenic pictures of popular lookouts on the trails that surround the town.

Layla and I slide into a booth next to the window so we can people watch. The older waitress brings us drinks and a muffin for Layla to start on while we wait for Daphne.

"Hey, how are you?" Daphne greets as she slides into the seat across from us.

Layla lets out a squeal, then lunges across the table towards Daphne, who scoops her up.

"Hi, sweet little Layla Bug. How are you?" She snuggles my baby girl into her embrace, which makes my heart melt.

"We're doing great. Much better now that one of our favorite people is here with us. Isn't that right, Bug?" I tickle Layla's belly while Daphne blushes. "How have you been? I feel like I haven't seen you or Ez in forever!"

"Really busy, but great. Between the shop and our joint project with the foundations, I've had a lot going on."

"I bet. Ezra's told me about your event. What you two are doing for those kids is amazing. I can't wait to see it for myself."

"Oh, well, I haven't done much. It's more the heads of our foundations—"

I raise my hand to stop her. "It was your brain baby, from what I heard. Take credit where you've earned it."

"Thanks, Cel. So, what's new with you?"

"Not a whole lot. Just trying to get a handle on our new schedules. I think the kids and I have finally got the whole routine with school down pat now, thankfully. The first week with Calla and Talon both getting off to school was rough. I'm not gonna lie."

"I can't even imagine. You're, like, a supermom with all you've got going on."

"Hardly." I scoff. "I actually have a ridiculous amount of time on my hands now that two out of the three of my kids are out of the house three days a week.

I don't really know what to do with myself half the time when I'm not being their mom—" I stop, realizing I've admitted more than I ever intended on sharing.

"That's got to be a lot different for you. Ez mentioned you guys talked about you maybe going back to work. Are you still thinking about it?"

"I am, but it's daunting. I've been out of the business for a few years now. A lot can change in the modeling world in a short amount of time. I don't know what kind of reception I would get if I tried to come back. Plus, Chad's still part of that world." I grumble the last part.

I haven't seen or heard from my ex-husband in months, which has been wonderful. I know his dad has him on a tight leash, but there's still the chance of running into him in some aspect if I try to rejoin my old world. I'm not afraid of him by any means. I'd just rather not ever see him again.

"If your work ethic is anything like Ezra's, you won't have to worry about anything when it comes to rejoining the work force in the modeling world."

"Aww, thanks, Daph. That means a lot."

"If you did go back to work, would you want to model again?"

I scrunch my nose up at the idea, which makes Daphne laugh and Layla join in.