by D. Kelly
“Good to know you have a limit. You’re an interesting man, Jake, that’s for sure.”
“I love you.”
“I love you, too. Always,” she replies softly and within a few minutes, she’s fast asleep. It’s a good thing tomorrow is Sunday. I’m going to find a real estate agent to find us a big house in Connor’s neighborhood if it’s the last thing I do. I’ve got a feeling we’ll have plenty of kids to fill it with after all.
Carefully, so I don’t wake April, I reach for my phone on the bedside table and send a text to Daniel.
You were right about the house. I need a real estate agent in your neighborhood. Know anyone?
Since he’s in the construction business, I figure he’d be a good person to try first. He’ll also keep his mouth shut about it. Discretion is Daniel’s middle name.
April was up early and left to go have breakfast with Kate. I’m glad they’re becoming closer. Out of all the girls, Kate is the one who has the best head on her shoulders. Not that Jess and Misty don’t; they’re just more passionate and tend to lead with their emotions and think about the consequences later. April and Kate typically think before they react, considering the feelings of others before making a decision.
It’s rare when they go out just the two of them. Normally, all four girls go out together but Jess and Connor are spending the weekend with Maryanne, Jess’s aunt, and Misty is spending the weekend catching up on sleep while Mike is around. Can’t say I blame her; I’d like to catch up on some sleep but I’ve got important things to do today.
First of which is finding a real estate agent. While I’m waiting for my computer to boot up, my phone rings. It’s Daniel.
“Hey, man, what’s up?” I pop the phone on speaker so I can pour myself a second cup of coffee.
“Maybe your luck, actually. I just got back from taking Haven and Lucas to the park and on our walk back, I noticed one of the houses across the street from the park is up for sale.”
“Seriously? A park house in your neighborhood won’t last long.”
“No, it won’t, so you better jump on it. I took a picture of the sign with the agent’s info on it and texted it to you.”
Haven is suddenly screaming in the background and she sounds pissed. I love her to pieces but damn, does she have a set of lungs on her.
“Thanks, Daniel, I appreciate it. I’ll let you go take care of little miss.”
He laughs. “This will be your life soon enough. Talk to you later. Good luck.”
Daniel not only sent me pictures of the sign, he sent me photos of the house. It’s incredible. When I pull up the website and read the stats on the house, I know it’s perfect. Five bedrooms, six bathrooms, gated pool, a good sized yard, fully remodeled—it’s completely turn-key. Even though I’m going to do this for April and Jaxson, possibly Mia, I can’t help but think about the long drive to work and back.
Although I could telecommute like a few of our employees do, I like being in the office. I love the family atmosphere of our company and spending time with my dad.
My dad is all about the future, though, and part of that is me being a dad to my kids. He worked out of the house when we were kids but as busy as he was, he never once missed a game, awards ceremony, or time to love on my mom.
Knowing I can make this work, I get an appointment to see the house later this afternoon and text April.
Got us an appointment to see a house today. Go home with Kate and I’ll meet you there at noon.
Her response, however, wasn’t exactly what I imagined.
Great! Got us an appointment to visit Mia today at three. I can’t wait!
Today? She’s not wasting any time with this Mia business. I thought I’d have a few weeks to either adjust to the idea or talk her out of it. I should have known better; when April sets her mind on something there’s no stopping her.
God help me.
April
Kate and I decided to meet up at the diner where Misty used to work. It’s close to Kate’s house so she can run home if she needs to, but it’s also become sort of a sentimental spot to us all since Mike and Misty reunited.
Ever since the night Mike met Hailey here, it’s become his favorite place. For a while, I was worried he’d eventually harbor some bad feelings toward this place and Misty but I couldn’t have been more wrong. The only memories Mike associates with this place are happy ones. It’s where he set eyes on his daughter for the very first time, and ultimately, it’s also the place that gave Misty a job which allowed her to take care of Hailey.
Mike said he will always be grateful for that and if he can keep this place open by eating here, all the better. Out of all our friends, Mike has to be the one who surprises me the most and continues to surprise me. Although I always knew there was more to his story, I would have never guessed underneath the manwhore was an amazing man. Getting Kate back into his life was the best thing that could have possibly happened. For both of them, I think.
Even though they didn’t end up together, I couldn’t imagine them apart. I’ve never felt like that before but those two have something about them—a kindred friendship which I have no doubt will last forever. Sometimes, I wonder if it makes Misty or Daniel jealous, but they seem to take it in stride. Mike and Kate would never cheat—they’re blissfully happy in their relationships—but if that were my husband, I’d find their closeness a bit unsettling.
Then again, considering Daniel slept in my bed the other night, comforting me, maybe I shouldn’t be such a judgy bitch.
Kate went through a rough patch after she had Haven. It was right around the time we announced our pregnancy to the family. The only person who could get her to open up was Mike. Daniel understood but you could tell it made him sad and since he’s my best friend, it pissed me off a bit. So much so, I actually had words with Kate and Mike one day.
Thankfully, they weren’t angry with me and actually explained things to me the best way they knew how. Losing Lila Hope and launching the center closed a huge chapter in Kate’s life and created a gaping hole she didn’t know how to fill.
The only other person who understood her grief was Mike. Even though he hadn’t been around, he’d imagined their child so many times, their loss was devastating to him. Kate went through some depression as she tried to learn how to accept she had these beautiful children with Daniel and Mike had two beautiful kids, as well, but neither Lila nor Vanessa were around to share in their joy. All of that, compounded with finally opening the center, was all a little too much for Kate.
Mike knew exactly how to handle her and how to make her okay again. Sometimes when you’re married you have to do what is best for your spouse. Which is why Daniel stepped back and let Mike get Kate through what he couldn’t… and why I’m meeting Kate this morning. I desperately need her help with Jake and Connor. Kate’s intuitive and I’m hoping I can get the information out without actually betraying Jake’s confidence. I’m walking a fine line and can only pray it will be worth it.
“Good morning!” Kate exclaims cheerfully as she sits down in the chair across from me with a beaming smile.
“Good morning. You sound much better than you did on the phone yesterday.” She’s absolutely glowing, her natural beauty always shining through.
“Haven is finally feeling better and Daniel took the night shift last night. I actually got a full twelve hours of sleep. Of course, I think Haven needed to catch up on her sleep, too, because she only woke up twice. Daniel got lucky.”
“From the look on your face, he got lucky in more ways than one.”
Her answering blush is all the confirmation I need.
“Are you two planning for more anytime soon?” We haven’t really talked about their plans for more kids. At first, Kate was hesitant to get pregnant because of Lucas.
“Yes,” she says, still blushing. “I’d like to try again next year once Haven is at least sleeping through the night. I’m not sure how many more I want, but I know I want at least one mor
e.”
“Do you think you’ll be okay this time?”
Kate smiles with a grace only she can possess. “I do. It was rough after Haven, but Daniel got me through it.”
My face immediately turns to a scowl; I’ve never been good at hiding my feelings.
“Something on your mind, April?”
“Well, I wouldn’t exactly say Daniel got you through that last crisis. Do you have pregnancy brain fog?”
Our waitress brings the coffee for Kate and water for me that I ordered right before she got here.
“Mike got me through it to a degree, but if I wouldn’t have had Daniel every step of the way, if he hadn’t stepped aside so Mike could help me, it might have been a completely different outcome. If it weren’t for my husband’s unwavering love and faith in us and our relationship, Mike would have never been able to make me see what I was too sad to realize. I’m a very blessed woman, April, and I’ll never take that for granted ever again.”
God, I’m such a bitch.
“I’m sorry, I overstepped.”
“It’s okay. You’re protecting your best friend, as you should. I wouldn’t have it any other way.” This is exactly why I love Kate; even when you’re snippy with her, she’s always so forgiving. She’s got a grace about her I’ve never experienced before and I’m very blessed to be able to call her my friend.
“Thanks. My moods are so crazy lately, I feel like I have multiple personalities.”
She chuckles, trying not to choke on her coffee. “You don’t have to tell me. I don’t miss that part of pregnancy at all.”
“How is Lucas doing? Is he sick, too?”
“Lucas is amazing. He’s so smart and has such an amazing energy, he’s always so happy. He makes this face at Haven that makes her burst into laughter. It’s the cutest thing ever.”
Kate loves Lucas and she’s extremely protective of him. He’s a lucky little boy to have her as his mom.
“So there’s no sibling rivalry with them yet?”
“Well… I wouldn’t say that. Lucas is very protective of his mommy and when he wants cuddle time, he tells Haven very sternly it’s his turn for mommy, but it’s not just with Haven. Last week, Daniel and I were watching a movie and Lucas woke up. Daniel had his arm around me and we were cuddling. Lucas crawled between us and pushed Daniel away, telling him with a scowley face ‘my mommy, daddy, you go away!’”
“That is so cute. What did Daniel do?”
“He pulled us both into a massive hug and told him ‘my mommy and my Lucas’ which made Lucas laugh like it was the funniest thing ever.”
“Oh, that is the cutest. I feel like we’re missing all of the kids growing up but hopefully, not for much longer.”
Kate looks at me quizzically. “Care to elaborate?”
“Did Daniel tell you about the fight Jake and I had?”
“Not too much. He just said Jake was acting idiotic and needed to get his shit together. He did mention Jake’s been having some problems at work but he didn’t know what it was all about.”
Our conversation pauses long enough to place our order which also gives me an opening to talk about what’s going on.
“Have you ever thought everything you thought you wanted for your life isn’t really want you want at all?”
“Hmmm… For life, no, but for love, yes. What’s going on, April?”
“I’ve been thinking about a lot of things lately, especially with…” I almost let his name slip. “With the baby on the way.”
“Damn,” Kate says, lifting her fingers into an inch. “You were this close to telling me his name!”
“I know, I’m glad I caught myself or Jake would have killed me. Anyway, I’m not really close with my family, but I want to be. Realistically, you guys are the closest family we have and I want our kids to grow up together.”
“Are you moving closer to us?” Kate asks excitedly, and I nod.
“We’re trying to. Jake is looking into it this morning.”
“I thought you guys loved your house.”
“We do, but I think I’d be happier closer to you guys and the kids. Connor should be by his nephew and our baby should grow up with all his cousins. It’s ridiculous for us to be way out there when you all are out here. Aside from Daniel’s parents and Jake’s parents, everyone is closer to you.”
“Good point, but what about your jobs? You guys are both working out there.”
The waitress brings our food and my stomach grumbles, reminding me how hungry I really am. Kate laughs. “I remember that noise very well. I never knew I could consume so much food until I was pregnant with Haven.”
After a few bites, I circle back to her question. “I’m actually thinking of taking some time off from work.”
With a raised eyebrow, Kate motions at me with her fork to continue.
“I’ve always been so independent and needed to work for everything I have. It’s in my nature. This is going to make me sound like a horrible person, and please don’t mention to anyone what I’m about to say because it’s not public knowledge.”
She nods in agreement.
“All this time, I’d never thought about quitting my job. I’m confident I can be a good mom to our baby and continue to work but the other day, I was in the right place at the right time. I met a recently orphaned little girl.”
Kate’s eyes sparkle with realization.
“She’s adorable, Kate, and fate keeps throwing us together. She’s got no family left at all, her name is Mia, and she’s five years old. Get this… she even has a stuffed animal named Tank.”
Kate is well aware of Jake’s plight to get Luvbug to answer to Tank.
“Is it a wrinkly bulldog, too?”
“No, it’s actually a polar bear, but what are the odds?”
“Probably pretty small.”
“It’s like everything I’ve worked for my whole life has brought me to this point in time for a reason. She’s meant to be our daughter, I can feel it.”
“So why would that make you a horrible person? Adoption is a wonderful thing.”
“Because… I don’t feel as if I can be a good mom to Mia and work. She’s suffered so much loss and I genuinely feel she’s going to need a constant in her life. Someone she isn’t afraid she’s going to lose, too.”
“April, that’s not horrible, it’s honest.”
“But I don’t feel that way about our baby and that makes me a horrible mother.”
“April, no, stop.” Kate reaches across the table, taking my hand in hers. “Children, all children, are precious gifts. God gave you your baby for you to love and protect with your mama bear instinct. He’s yours. Mia was someone else’s and her family was taken from her way too soon. Your mama bear instinct is rolling into her at warp speed. Not because you love her more, or care for her more, but because her protectors aren’t there for her.”
“You really think so?”
She nods emphatically. “I do. It’s how I feel about Lucas. Of course, he has Daniel, and I’m his mom in every single way, but I couldn’t love him any less than I love Haven. You might have noticed I’m fiercely protective of Lucas and although I am with Haven, too, it’s different.”
“Why do you think that is?”
“I’ve actually thought about this a lot. Haven is mine by blood. We conceived her, she grew inside of me, she’s mine and God willing, nothing will ever be able to take her away from me. Lucas was given to me by fate and I’m going to move heaven and earth to keep him. I will make sure he knows every single day that I not only love him, but I chose him. The only way to do that is to love him fiercely.”
She pauses to sip her coffee as I consider her words. It makes sense and I feel a lot better.
“Does Jake know you’re thinking about quitting?”
“No, he doesn’t. We haven’t gotten that far yet since things have been a bit rough lately.”
“But he’s on board with adopting?”
“Not exactly, but he�
�s open to meeting her and seeing how he feels. If the work situation was resolved, I think all of this would be so much easier.”
“So what’s going on at work? Can you say?”
As I shake my head, she asks, “Can we question around it? Maybe I can help somehow?”
This is why I came here, so what can it hurt?
Everything, April, it can hurt everything.
“Are you hiring at Lila’s Place?”
“We’re always hiring. Actually, things are going so well right now and we’ve secured enough funding, we might be able to open more locations.”
“That’s amazing! I’m so happy for you. How did that happen?”
“Connor is brilliant. He’s secured so much funding we could run this location for the next fifteen years without fundraising another penny.”
“Wow, Jake said Connor was amazing but I had no idea. Why not hire him on full-time?”
She hesitates; I’m pretty sure she’s on to me now.
“I’ve tried, actually, more than once. He feels like he owes it to Brian to stay where he is.”
“Oh.” My disappointed response doesn’t escape her.
“Do you think Connor would be happier working for me?” she asks with an easy smile.
Yup, she gets it.
“I’m not sure, but I have a feeling it’s where his heart and mind are most of the time.”
With a sigh, she gives me her own confession. “Honestly, I’m worried about him. The drive to work is killing him. He’s burning the candle at three ends, if that’s even possible. Between Jess, the twins, work, and working for me, he’s going to lose it. Something has to give, but without something pushing him in my direction, I’m not sure how much I can do.”
“Have you mentioned it to Linda?”
“Has Jake mentioned it to Brian?” she asks, matching my questioning glance.
“No, he doesn’t want to be a tattletale.”
She responds with a long laugh. “Me, either. Connor is a grown man and unfortunately, he’s going to have to come to this choice on his own. I can continue to wave freedom under his nose, but it’s up to him to accept it.”
