Kitchen Promises (Riverside Trilogy, #3) (The Riverside Trilogy)

by Brooke Cumberland

  I bent down on my knees next to her, holding her free hand in mine. “Please. We need to get married. I don’t care where or even how, I just need to know that I didn’t miss the opportunity. Something worse could’ve happened to you and then I would’ve missed it, but I’m not going to miss it this time. I want to marry you, Molly.”

  “I want to marry you, too,” she wept through a huge smile. “Let’s do it.”

  “Oh god, I love you!” I stood up, cupped her face, and placed kisses all over her mouth. “I will make you the happiest woman ever, I promise.”

  “I already am.”

  -----<>-----

  17

  Molly

  Holding the babies finally was the greatest gift ever. Watching them look up at me was the best feeling in the world. They were my little miracle babies.

  “So, what are we going to call baby girl?” Drake asked. I was allowed to sit in the rocking chair now in the NICU and hold them.

  “Since you named River, I want to name her.” I announced.

  “Okay, fair.” He smiled. “So, what’s baby girl’s name?” He rubbed a hand over her little head as I held her.

  It’s been six days since they were born. Her stats went up and down throughout the first three days, making us wonder how much fight she had in her, which apparently she had a lot.

  “She’s a fighter, Molly. Just like her mama.” Drake said as he held me. Seeing them for the first time put me into tears. Baby girl wasn’t doing as well as River and I feared the worst.

  Then yesterday, something incredible happened. Her stats leveled out. They were both on feeding tubes and oxygen, but she finally was up to the same levels as her brother. It was a miracle.

  “Miracle,” I said.

  “What?”

  “Her name is Miracle. Because she truly is one. She’s a fighter.”

  “It’s perfect.” He kissed the top of her head gently.

  “I wanna name her middle name after my grandmother. Miracle Rose.”

  “I love it, baby. River and Miracle.” He smiled.

  * * *

  River and Miracle stayed in the NICU for four weeks. They had to get off oxygen, the feeding tube, gain weight, and start eating from a bottle. It was the most exhausting four weeks I had ever experienced.

  Drake was able to make arrangements to have them transferred to Chicago’s Children Hospital a week after they were born. Michael helped with Stella and Liam, watching them and making sure they got to school. Unfortunately, they didn’t allow children in the NICU, so today would be Stella and Liam’s first time meeting the twins.

  “Yay, they’re home!” I heard Stella yell as Drake and I entered.

  “Baby girl!” I squealed. She jumped into my arms. I had been switching off from sleeping at home to sleeping at the hospital. I tried my best to juggle being with the twins and being with Stella, but this last week I stayed so I could work on nursing them. “I missed you!”

  “Do I get to see the babies now?”

  “Yes, you do! You and Liam can hold them, but you both need to sit on the sofa first.”

  “Okay! Me first!” she yelled, rushing to the living room.

  Drake followed in behind me, carrying a car seat in each hand. “You look pretty good there, daddy.”

  “Hey, free arm workout.” He grinned, pretending to curl each car seat.

  “Can I hold the girl, mommy?” Stella asked as we got each baby out of their seat.

  Watching Stella and Liam hold the twins brought tears to my eyes. God, it was just perfect. Four beautiful children. Four healthy children.

  River and Miracle were both swaddled in blankets, laying peacefully on Stella and Liam.

  “What’s wrong?” Drake approached me and wrapped his arms around my waist. He nuzzled his nose in my neck, inhaling my scent.

  “Nothing.” I cleared my throat. “Absolutely nothing.” I smiled, letting him hold me as I just watched.

  * * *

  The following week was spent getting into a routine. It’s been over five years since I’ve done the getting-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night thing.

  “How ya feeling, mama?” Michael asked, entering my bedroom with a tray of food. “I brought breakfast.”

  “Oh, thank god. The twins are sucking every ounce of food out of me.”

  “Well, you’re doing great. I mean, you need a shower, clean clothes, and probably a vagina tuck, but other than that, you look good as new.”

  “Wow, thanks for cheering me up.”

  “It’s what I do.” He grinned. He set down the tray, and I didn’t wait to dig into the eggs, bacon, and pancakes. “Damn, this is good.”

  “That was supposed to be for you and Drake, you know?”

  “Screw Drake. Did he become a human milk machine?”

  “It’s fine,” Drake chimed in, entering the bedroom in just a towel. “I have a business brunch.”

  “What?” I dropped my fork. “You’re going back to work already? You’re leaving me alone with two crying babies?” I panicked.

  “Sweetheart, stop worrying. It’s just for an hour. I swear, I’ll be back soon. It’s for…” he cleared his throat and swallowed. “It’s about Denny.”

  My eyes shot open. I’ve been so preoccupied, my brain hadn’t even thought about him. I hadn’t asked and he didn’t tell me how exactly he ‘got rid of him’

  “Oh, well don’t be too long, okay?”

  “Of course not.”

  After Drake got dressed, he kissed me goodbye and left for the morning.

  “Please tell me you aren’t leaving me,” I pleaded with Michael who was still sitting on the bed next to me. “They team up and have their scream fests at the same time.”

  He laughed and promised to help. Michael had been super helpful, getting Stella to and from school, making dinner, checking her homework, cleaning up baby poop. I mean really, he was like a second husband. And he wasn’t allowed to leave. Ever.

  On cue, both of the twins started crying at the same time. Michael grabbed River from his basinet and handed him to me. He then grabbed Miracle and started patting her on the back to soothe her.

  “I think she likes me the best,” he teased. She always quiets down for me.

  “Well, that’s a first. Usually girls scream and run away from you.”

  “Except you,” he laughed. “Must be the Woods’ blood. Can’t get enough of me.”

  “Yeah, that must be it.” I laughed. I finished changing River then switched with Michael to change Miracle.

  “Alright, you two. Who wants to eat first?” They both lay on the bed smiling up at me.

  “Well, holler if you need me. I’m gonna shower.”

  “K, thanks Michael,” I called out as he left.

  “Just you guys and me, huh? We can do this, right? Sure, we got this.”

  After a full morning of nursing, changing, burping, and spit up, I was exhausted. I did need a shower and some clean clothes, badly.

  “Where the heck is your daddy?” I cooed to them. “He’s late. Very, very late.”

  The twins eventually fell back asleep in their bassinets, giving me a little free time to brush my teeth and brush through my rat’s nest on top of my head.

  Ugh, I forgot what newborns do to you. Stretch you out, make a grand exit out of you, then tire you out to the point where you forget if you flossed or not.

  “Molly?” I heard Drake call out.

  “In here.”

  “Oh perfect,” he said as he rounded the bathroom. “Get in the shower. Don’t ask questions, just do what I say.”

  I eyed him suspiciously. What is he up to?

  “What about the babies?”

  “Don’t worry. They’re sleeping. I’ll watch them. Just shower, get dressed, do your girly thing or whatever, and I’ll be out here waiting.” He smiled wide. He was definitely up to something.

  “Where are we going?”

  “Nah ah. No questions.” He pecked me on the lips and rushed out.
“Hurry up!”

  Well, that was odd. I did as he said. Twenty peaceful minutes in the shower? Yes, please.

  I continued getting ready. Put on some makeup, brushed through my hair, and flossed again.

  “What should I wear?” I called out as I searched through the closet.

  “Something pretty. Pink or something,” he answered casually.

  Hmm, he was acting suspicious, but I decided to let it go. I found a pink dress that was fitted at the waist, giving me enough room to feel comfortable. It’d be a while yet before I got my figure back, or rather, if I got it back. But they were worth it—every stretch mark and pound gained.

  “Okay, I think I’m ready,” I called out, making an entrance into the bedroom where he sat waiting. “Good enough?”

  He stood up as his eyes roamed over me. “You look perfect, sweetheart. Breathtaking.”

  He grabbed me and kissed me deeply. “You look stunning.”

  “Well, thank you. Now do I get to know where we’re going?”

  “Not yet.” He reached over to the bed where a bouquet of a dozen roses lay. “These are for you.”

  “Wow, these are beautiful! What’s the occasion?”

  “Like there has to be,” he quipped. “But if you must know, it’s for Valentine’s Day. I have a very special night planned.”

  “Oh my god, it’s Valentine’s Day?” I screeched. My days and nights have been mixed up. I didn’t even realize. “I feel horrible, I forgot.”

  “Don’t you worry. Tonight is all about you.”

  “But what about the babies?”

  “I better get paid for this,” a voice interrupted behind me.

  I turned as I recognized the voice. “Oh my god, Blakely! What is she doing here?”

  “She is saving your ass. I’m here to baby watch.”

  “You mean babysit,” Drake corrected her.

  My eyes grew wide. “You asked Blakely to babysit?” I gasped.

  “Don’t worry, Molly. I dragged Colin with me. He’s a dad, he knows what to do.” I wasn’t sure about leaving the twins already. They were only five weeks old.

  “Are you sure?” I whispered so only Drake would hear me.

  “Sweetheart, it’ll be fine, I promise.”

  I nodded, trusting him. I was dying for a night out, especially with Drake. After saying goodbye to the twins for a good ten minutes, Drake escorted me into his limo. Rose petals were scattered everywhere and champagne was cooling in the ice box.

  “You are always filled with surprises, aren’t you?” I smiled as he handed me a glass of champagne.

  “Just for you, sweetheart. I want this to be a night you won’t forget.”

  As we drove to the restaurant, I enjoyed just laying on him, taking in the peace and quiet. It was chilly out so Drake wrapped us in a heated blanket. I was so comfortable that I could have easily fallen asleep.

  “Hope you’re hungry. I made reservations.”

  “You mean we get to eat in an actual restaurant with no kids sticking seeds up their noses or babies screaming?”

  Drake laughed as he helped me out of the limo. I tripped on my heel, missing the curb. Fortunately, Drake was used to catching me.

  “Wow, too much champagne?”

  “I had one. It’s these damn heels.”

  His arms were still wrapped around me, as he looked me intently in the eyes. “You look beautiful, future Mrs. Stagliano.”

  “Well, thank you, Mr. Stagliano. You are very handsome, yourself.” And he was. Hell, he always was, but Drake in a suit and tie was delicious. If I weren’t sleep deprived and starving, I’d tell him to stay in the limo with me.

  Drake walked us right in, not even stopping at the hostess station. It was a restaurant I hadn’t been to yet, but it was amazing. It was darker inside, giving a more romantic mood setting. The waiters and waitresses were all dressed in suits and ties with large white aprons around their waists.

  “Oh, I miss work.” I missed the cooking part. I missed losing myself in the recipe, getting it just right as I added in the ingredients.

  “No shop talk tonight.”

  “Okay, fine.” I wrinkled my nose at him. I hadn’t even thought of when I’d go back or if I’d go back. It would be too hard leaving the twins.

  Drake slid out my chair, helping me in. I watched as his hand glided down his tie as he sat across from me. I couldn’t get enough of how good he looked tonight.

  “You look extra good tonight,” I commented as he took a sip of his water.

  “Don’t get any ideas in that pretty little head of yours,” he warned.

  “What? I can’t compliment you?”

  “Yes, but yours comes with a double meaning.”

  I laughed, knowing I had been caught. I wanted to rip his clothes off and have my way with him. I didn’t care that we were in a restaurant. It’d been way too long.

  “Well, I can at least fantasize about it, can’t I?” Before he could respond, our waiter introduced himself and read off the specials.

  We enjoyed an amazing dinner. It had felt like way too long since Drake and I had a night alone together. It was nice to rekindle our relationship after everything that had happened.

  “So, do I at least get lucky tonight?” I teased as I dug into my dessert.

  “It’s a possibility. Keep showing off your boobs like that, and we won’t make it back to the house.”

  “No way, they’re my secret weapon.”

  His head fell back as he laughed. My boobs had doubled in size since the twins were born, not that he minded one bit. I on the other hand, was suffering from back pain and extreme soreness.

  “Thank you for dinner. It was a pleasant surprise,” I said as he helped put my coat on.

  “Oh, there’s another surprise.” His voice was deep and I could tell he was up to something.

  As we road in the limo, I noticed we were headed toward the inner city by Millennium Park. It was already dark out, but I could see the park more than a block away with all the lights.

  “Where are we going?” I asked, peeking out the window.

  The limo parked right out in the front of the park, giving me my answer. “It’s a surprise.”

  “You and your surprises.” I laughed nervously.

  He grabbed my hand and guided me out of the limo. I couldn’t imagine what else he could have up his sleeve, but I was anxious to find out.

  He finally turned and faced me. We ended up in the middle of the ice rink, where lights and pink rose petals were scattered over the ice. He grabbed both my hands, softly kissed them, and said, “This is where I proposed to you less than a year ago. And sweetheart, this is where I want to marry you. This is where I want to share my vows and promises with you. This is where I want our lives to begin.”

  I kept eye contact with him, confused on what he was implying. He finally grabbed my shoulders and turned me around.

  “Oh my god! What did you do?” I squealed. My hands covered my mouth in shock and awe.

  In front of me was a complete set up for a wedding. Pink rose petals lay on the ice as an aisle with three rows of white chairs on each side and three white wedding arches decorated with pink roses and tulling.

  “Wh-what is this?” I asked, turning back around to face him.

  “This is your wedding day.” His smile reached his eyes, sparkling in the moonlight. “I didn’t want to wait another day.”

  “Really? But what about our family and friends?”

  Before he answered, music sounded over the speakers.

  “Oh my god. We’re really doing this, aren’t we?”

  “Molly?” Drake’s soothing voice broke my attention back. “Look.” He nodded his head behind me, smirking.

  I spun around and saw everyone standing there—Michael, Stella, Liam, my parents, Drake’s parents, Blakely, Colin, and the twins—I was too in shock to even speak.

  “Happy wedding day, sweetheart,” he whispered in my ear behind me, making my body shiver.
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  “Really?” I cried. “Really?”

  “Yes. Time to take our places.” I could feel his mouth smile against me.

  I watched as Blakely walked toward me. Without a word, she placed a veil on top of my hand and adjusted it around my hair. She then dug inside her pocket, revealing a string of pearls and a charm bracelet.

  “Oh my god! My grandmother’s pearls!” I cried in shock. “And the charm bracelet from Liam. How did you know?”

  “Michael told me,” she replied, locking it around my neck.

  “Told you what?” Drake asked.

  “These were my grandmother’s.” I held the pearls up to show him. “And this…this was from Liam.” I squeezed the bracelet tight in my fist. “I wore it every day until…until the first day of my internship.” I looked down at them, remembering the moment Liam gave them to me. “I didn’t want it to get ruined, so I put them in my picture box,” I explained.

  “That’s what was in there?” he asked curiously.

  “Yeah,” I said holding them.

  “The pearls can be your something old.” Blakely smiled.

  “Yeah, I guess they can be.” I smiled back. “She gave them to me when I was a little girl and said to wear them on my wedding day, and then to pass them on my daughter some day. She wore them on her wedding day, that way the tradition would be that the women in the family wear these pearls only on their wedding days.”

  He reached and cupped my face, kissing my mouth lightly. “Wow, I had no idea.”

  I shrugged lightly. “I only told Michael, I guess. After you proposed, I got the box out.”

  “And the charms can be your something blue,” Blakely instructed.”

  “Well, then, it’s perfect. Let’s get married.” He kissed me again, filled with passion and lust.

  “Wait…I need something borrowed,” I mused, looking at everyone.

  “Here,” Blakely interrupted. She dug in her purse and got out her lipstick. “You can borrow some of this.” She held it out.

  I laughed. “Okay…this will do.” I grabbed it from her, lining my lips out in her red gloss. “There. I think I’m ready.” I smiled.

  “You look beautiful,” Drake whispered, his lips barely touching mine.

  I looked out into the ice and asked, “Why three arches?”