by Kate, Jiffy
“To fatherhood,” we echo, tossing them back.
We both stare at the empty glasses for a brief moment, lost in thought.
It’s Owen who speaks first. “It’s worth it though,” he says thoughtfully. “All the sleepless nights and diapers… bottles and spit-up. My mom told me with my first one that everything is a phase and it’s over before you know it. One day, you’ll look back and realize it all happened in the blink of an eye. Honestly, even on the hard days, when I think about how big my two are getting, it makes me a little sad.”
“How’s the nanny working out?” I ask, remembering him telling me he finally found one right before the season was over.
He groans, pushing his shot glass back across the bar in a silent request for a refill.
Shaw obliges, filling mine in the process.
“We’re currently on nanny number two… and I’m afraid to say, things aren’t looking so great.”
“Shit, man, I’m sorry,” I tell him, clinking my shot glass with his before we throw them back. “If there’s anything we can do, let us know. I know we have a new baby, but Casey is great with kids and she’d be more than happy to watch them if you need her to.”
Sighing, he runs a hand through his hair. “I appreciate the offer, but I’ve got the off-season to figure this shit out. I can’t be worrying about my kids while I’m on a road trip or playing a game. You and I both know the season is long and when you’ve got personal stuff going on, it messes with your head… which means throwing for shit… and I need this…”
This more vulnerable side of Owen Thatcher isn’t something most people see. To everyone else, he’s a broody son of a bitch who walks around with a chip on his shoulder, but underneath it all, he’s a little troubled, kind of where I was before this season started, except I didn’t have two kids to worry about.
“You’ll figure it out,” I encourage. “And like I said, we’re here if you need us, especially during the off-season.”
“And drinks are always on me,” Shaw says, tossing a towel over his shoulder. “Solidarity and all that.”
Solidarity.
“Thanks,” Owen says, lifting his glass to Shaw and then to me.
Before the night’s over, I’ve had more beers and shots of Jack Daniels than I’ve had in a long time, a new friend in Shaw O’Sullivan, and some awesome shit. The guys give me a set of Revelers onesies with my number on the back, a tiny ball and glove, and a carrier I can strap onto my chest and carry Sam around in.
It’s fucking awesome.
Just like my team.
And my life.
This past year might’ve been unplanned, throwing curveballs right and left, but it ended up being everything I needed and wanted—Casey, Samuel… a family of my own. A great season. I honestly couldn’t ask for more.
Except making Casey my wife and having all the babies.
But we’ll get to that.
Casey
Christmas in New Orleans is my absolute favorite.
Lights are strung up over anything standing, giving the city a warm glow, and there’s little to no humidity, which makes it perfect for all the outside activities available. There are bonfires along the levee, holiday light tours, and my personal favorite, caroling by candlelight in Jackson Square. I can’t wait to stand in front of the Cathedral and soak in the holiday spirit with my family, especially Ross and Baby Sam.
Samuel was born on the eve of his father’s first no-hitter.
Ross told me later that he felt a shift in the atmosphere and knew he had to finish the game and get to me. I’m not sure if I believe all of that, but he did get there fast. So did my parents, who flew into New Orleans just in time to see their first grandchild born.
It was a magical day, even though nothing went as planned.
My epidural was even a bust, but none of that mattered the second I held my baby. My entire world righted itself. Colors seemed more vibrant. Emotions felt more real. And the future looked clear. Because in that moment, I realized the only two things that mattered were right there with me—Sam and Ross—and as long as we were together, everything else would continue to work itself out.
This evening, we’re all meeting at Neutral Grounds, a coffee shop in the French Quarter where Ross and I occasionally meet up with Phil, the contractor from the guest house, and his wife. They’ve become a third set of grandparents to Sam and will be joining us tonight.
My parents are back for Christmas. This is the most I’ve seen them in person since Charlotte and I moved back to New Orleans. I wasn’t sure what to expect once Sam arrived, but like everything else, it’s worked out better than I could’ve planned.
They’re not the super hands-on grandparents that Jack and Joann are. My mom still hasn’t changed a diaper or been spit-up on, but she’s here and that’s all I could ask for. Her nurturing skills have kicked in a little more with each visit and she actually put Sam to sleep last night while the rest of us sat around and snacked on a smorgasbord of our favorite holiday foods.
“Are you almost ready?” Ross asks, walking into the bathroom where I’m putting on a little mascara and lip gloss. I’ve never been a super heavy makeup person, but since Sam arrived, I’ve dropped my usual moderate makeup to minimal.
“Almost,” I say, finally catching a glimpse of Ross in the mirror and nearly swallowing my tongue.
He’s standing there in a pullover sweater that’s the perfect shade of green to match his eyes. His scruff is neatly trimmed, allowing the definition of his jawline to show through. And as my eyes travel down, I see he’s wearing my favorite pair of jeans that hug his muscular thighs and incredible backside.
But the piece de resistance is what’s strapped to his chest.
Sam is already nestled down in his baby carrier and fast asleep with a beanie on his head that matches Ross’s sweater.
Smirking, I bite my lip to keep from groaning.
Our parents are downstairs and our baby is asleep on his chest. This definitely isn’t the time for the thoughts I’m having, but I’m finding it impossible to ignore them.
“I think we should take your mom up on her offer of Sam sleeping in the guest house tonight.”
Ross cocks his head and steps closer, placing a hand on my waist. “I like the way you think,” he murmurs, dipping his head low and pulling the collar of my sweater over so he can kiss the exposed skin. “Actually…” he continues, peppering kisses up my neck. “I already told her yes.”
“Well aren’t you a cocky little planner,” I mutter.
His eyes find mine in the mirror and he quirks an eyebrow. “Why, Casey Carradine, did you just say cock?”
My cheeks immediately go red at his accusation and my eyes go wide as they dart to our sleeping son, his little head barely peeking out of the carrier. “Um… I,” I begin stuttering and stop, huffing out a laugh. “No, I didn’t. I said cocky… two completely different words.”
“I just heard cock,” he mutters, leaning closer. “And so did my dick.”
“Oh, my God, Ross.” Turning, I can’t help the laugh that escapes. “You’re so bad and when Sam gets a note sent home on his first day of preschool for saying a bad word, my conscience will be clear because I’ll know I had no hand in that.”
With a wicked grin, he leans down and captures my lips. “He’ll be perfect, just like his mama.”
“I’m not perfect,” I tell him as I look down at Sam and kiss him on the head. “But he is.”
“You’re perfect for him,” Ross says, wrapping his arms around me and encasing the three of us in a warm embrace. “And you’re perfect for me.”
Sighing in contentment, I kiss his jaw and then pull away. “We better get down there. Charlotte is always complaining about us running late and I want to prove to her that parents of newborns can still be on time to something.”
He chuckles, following me out of the bathroom.
An hour later, we’re walking into Neutral Grounds to find Phil and his wife alre
ady at a table, thankfully, because the place is packed. I also spotted Charlotte and Bo walking up the sidewalk as we were coming through the front door. Naturally, I hurried inside so I could say I beat her here.
“Casey,” Phil says with a smile as we approach the table. “Merry Christmas!”
“Merry Christmas,” I tell him, leaning in for a hug, then moving over to give his wife, Sandy, one as well. When Joann and my mom aren’t around, Sandy has become my go-to for baby advice. They have four daughters, so she’s had lots of experience.
“How’s Baby Sam been sleeping this week?” she asks, walking around to take a peek at him.
“Much better,” I tell her, admiring him from where he’s still sleeping in the baby carrier. I’m not the only one who thinks a man like Ross walking around with a baby strapped to his chest is basically porn. I’m pretty sure at least two sets of ovaries exploded on our short walk here.
“Swaddling him like you suggested definitely helped. He’s been averaging about six hours at a time and that feels like the best Christmas gift ever.”
“That’s wonderful,” she coos, more to Sam than me. “Whenever you’re ready to stay with Phil and Sandy, you give us a call.”
Babysitters will never be an issue around here.
Speaking of, Charlotte and Bo walk in about that time and join our growing group. As I look around the table, I see all the people I care about the most gathered together and my heart overflows.
“I’m going to grab a coffee,” Bo says. “Does anyone else want anything?”
“I’ve heard they have an amazing egg nog latte,” Charlotte says, standing on her tiptoes to see the menu board. “I’ll have that.”
“Me too,” I chime in. “But make mine a decaf.” Even though I’m no longer pregnant, I still try to limit my caffeine since I’m breastfeeding.
“I’ll have what they’re having,” Ross says absentmindedly, most of his attention on Sam.
Jack goes with Bo to help him carry everything and the rest of us find a spot around the long table.
“Have I introduced y’all to the owners of this fine establishment?” Phil asks as a woman with dark hair and gorgeous eyes walks up, followed by a taller man with blond hair. It’s obvious they’re together and in love. The way he touches her back and practically orbits around her makes it blatantly obvious.
Funny, now that I’ve found love myself, it’s easier to identify it in other people.
“This is CeCe and Shep,” he says, reaching an arm out to them. CeCe smiles, stepping into his embrace, and then Shep reaches over to shake his hand. Phil then introduces everyone at the table. If CeCe or Shep recognize my sister or Ross or Bo, they don’t act like it.
We visit for a few minutes as they tell us about a new coffee roastery they’re opening up next door and then ooh and ahh over Sam. By the time Bo and Jack show up with our drinks, we all feel like old friends.
“Please come back soon and take a tour,” CeCe says.
“We’d love that,” my mom says, taking her americano from Bo with a grateful smile. “I was just telling Dean that we find something else to love about New Orleans every time we visit.”
“The city has a way of pulling you in,” Shep says, looking down at CeCe. For a second, I wonder if they’re married, but then I see the rock on her hand as it catches the dim light. “The next thing you know, you never want to leave.”
My heart does a fluttery thing at his words.
I want that… marriage, forever… I know Ross does too and it’ll happen when the time is right, or if it’s anything like the rest of our relationship, when we least expect it.
Laughing to myself, I draw Ross’s attention and he silently asks me what’s so funny. Shaking my head, I fight back a smile, because, yeah, we do that now… speak without speaking, read each other’s body language…
It’s like when I found Ross, I found the other half of myself.
When the sun begins to set, we all venture across the street to Jackson Square. Jack and my dad head off in search of candles and song sheets, while the rest of us find a spot where we can all stand together.
Sam woke up for a bit while we were at Neutral Grounds, but after a fresh diaper and some milk, he’s now back asleep. He tends to sleep well around loud noises, so he might sleep through all of the caroling. Ross says it’s because of all the baseball games and me yelling at the umpires, which could be true. But I think it’s because he’s so chill, just like his dad.
As the candles are lit and the entire square begins to glow in a warm light, I can’t help but smile.
I also can’t imagine a more perfect Christmas.
When the singing begins, Ross’s hand finds mine and he laces our fingers together.
Somewhere between Silent Night and O’ Holy Night, he lets go of my hand and leans down until his lips are at my ear. “I have something for you,” he whispers, discreetly blowing out his candle and placing it on the ground at his feet.
When he stands back up, I catch his green eyes in the light of the candle I’m still holding and they’re patient and kind, and full of so much love. The same love I feel, reflected back to me.
“I’ve had this for a while and I was trying to think of the perfect time to give it to you, but with this guy,” he says, kissing the top of Samuel’s head as he squirms a little. “We haven’t had a lot of time to ourselves. And well, Bo told me he’s going to ask your sister to marry him tomorrow…”
I gasp, my eyes growing wide as my heart begins to pound in my chest, not only from the news that my sister will be getting engaged tomorrow, but also from what I have a feeling he’s getting ready to give me.
As my hand comes up to cover my mouth, he pulls it back and places a ring on my finger… the fourth finger on my left hand.
“I realized, regardless of where we are or how this happens, the only thing that really matters is that you know how much I love you and that I don’t want to spend another day where our two last names aren’t the same,” he says, slipping the ring further onto my finger.
The crowd around us continues to sing, ignorant to the fact I’m experiencing the second-best moment of my life. The first being the moment we met our son for the first time.
“Casey Marie Carradine,” he continues. “I love you more than anything in the world. I love Samuel with a kind of love I didn’t even know existed… I want this forever… I want us forever.”
He pauses for a moment, his voice growing thick with emotion as he holds the ring in place. Leaning forward, I rest my forehead against his, soaking in this magical moment.
“Please make me the happiest man on earth and be my wife.”
“Of course I’ll marry you,” I gush, a tear slipping down my cheek as I take in the gorgeous ring on my finger. It’s simple, not too big or flashy, and exactly something I would’ve picked for myself. “If I could marry you right now, I would.”
“Let’s not wait,” he says, taking both of my hands in his. “All of our family is here… we can do it the day after Christmas, before our parents fly back home.”
A rush of excitement floods my body. “Are you serious?” I ask, unable to stop looking at my ring. I want to show it off and scream from the rooftops—ROSS DAVIES JUST ASKED ME TO MARRY HIM!
“I would’ve married you months ago,” he chuckles. “Don’t make me wait any longer… marry me.”
“I can’t freaking wait.”
Ross slips Samuel off his chest and passes him off to his mom, then he takes me into his arms, lifts me off my feet, and kisses me like I’m his last breath… and his first… and every single one in between. There are so many promises packed into that kiss—to love, to cherish, for better, or worse… forever.
The End
Acknowledgements
First and foremost, we’d like to thank our families. They’re the ones who have to put up with our lack of domesticity while writing words. Thank you for being so understanding and supporting our dreams.
We�
�d also like to thank our pre-reader and amazing friend, Pamela, we’re so thankful for your continued support and encouragement. Thank you for being the best cheerleader!
As always, we’d like to thank our editor, Nichole. Thank you for all you do! We appreciate your insight and that you always push us to do our best.
A big “thank you” to Juliana Cabrera for doing an awesome job on this cover… and the recover of The Rookie and The Rockstar!
And YOU… we’re so thankful for you. Writing is what we love to do, but having readers is what makes it worthwhile. Thank you for reading our words!
Much Love,
Jiff and Jenny Kate
More Books by Jiffy Kate
Finding Focus Series:
Finding Focus
Chasing Castles
Fighting Fire
Taming Trouble
French Quarter Collection:
Turn of Fate
Blue Bayou
Come Again
Neutral Grounds
Good Times
Table 10 Novella Series:
Table 10 part 1
Table 10 part 2
Table 10 part 3
New Orleans Revelers:
The Rookie and The Rockstar
The Ace and The Assistant
Smartypants Romance:
Stud Muffin (Fighting For Love, book 1)
Beef Cake (Fighting For Love, book 2)
Eye Candy (Fighting For Love, book 3)
Standalones:
Watch and See
No Strings Attached
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About the Authors
Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman.
Jiff was born and raised in Louisiana, but she now lives in Texas with her two teenagers and her two English Bulldogs, Georgia Rose and Jake. She loves Project Runway, Queen, 80’s music and movies, and the color purple. When she’s not shaping the lives of our future generation, you can find her planning her next vacation to Disney.
