“Okay,” I agree.
The sizzle of meat being flipped makes my stomach growl. I press a hand against the noise, but Crawford notices.
“But first, it sounds like my woman needs to eat. Hungry?”
“The scent is such a tease. Erik needs to grill faster.”
He presses a kiss to my temple. “I’ll get you a burger. Do you think Millie wants one?”
I search for my daughter among the sea of joy. She’s off to the side near her jungle gym, with Alice and Barry. Her blonde braids shimmer under the sun as she gabs openly about who knows what. “She looks well taken care of. I’ll check on her in a bit.”
Once he strides off toward the buffet table, Kellie takes his place by my side. It’s as if the older woman’s ears were burning. “Hello, Keegan. Quite the shindig you have here.”
I greet her with a grin. “Hey, Kellie. I’m glad you could make it.”
“Wouldn’t miss this for anything. Seeing my son settled and smiling is a gift I never thought would be delivered. Thank you for that.”
“He can take most of the credit.” And that’s not me being humble. Crawford has outdone himself at every turn.
“Isn’t it great to see, dear? I told you everything would work out for the best.”
“You certainly did. We’re all doing very well.”
“A happy family.” Kellie sighs, the sound of finding peace.
I peek at her from the corner of my eye. “He’s been a true blessing for us. Blends right into our fold.”
“Are you thinking of expanding?”
“On the house? I glance over my shoulder, studying the two-story rambler. “There’s plenty of room for us.”
“I meant your family, but it’s good to know the home can accommodate.”
It feels like my brain isn’t processing her meaning quite right. She can’t be referring to what I’m assuming. “Okay, sure.”
“This seems oddly familiar, yeah?”
If she’s referring to the invasive topic of conversation, I couldn’t agree more. Regardless of the flutters attacking my stomach, I give her a warm smile. “It does.”
“I’m not actually going to make you eat those doubtful words. As my reward for being right, I’d like to request more grandchildren.”
Oh, she certainly meant what I hoped was a wild misunderstanding. I drop my mouth with an audible pop. “Uh, well…”
“Not immediately. But I’m not getting any younger.” She pauses for a moment while I try to regain normal functioning of my voice. “Something to think about.”
Crawford struts over at that moment, saving me from further interrogation. Both hands are full of plates piled high with food. He passes me one with a wink, but my appetite has been replaced with too many thoughts. His gaze moves to his mother and presses a loud smooch on her cheek. “Hi, Ma.”
Kellie titters under his open display of affection. She pats his scruffy jaw in return. “Such a good boy. I was just talking to your lovely girlfriend about babies. Your future ones, to be specific.”
A blush stains the tan skin of his throat. “Jeez, mom. Thanks for putting on the pressure. All in good time. Right, babe?”
I lock my wide eyes on his. We just discussed our imaginary wedding. There’s more to that fantasy, apparently. “You want kids?”
“Yeah, of course. All part of my grand plan, if you’re willing. Plus, Millie would be a great big sister.” His beaming smile is my undoing. I’ll agree to anything if he keeps looking at me like I hung the moon and stars just for him.
His mother wags her brows at me while edging out of our circle. “Well, I’m sure this gives you two a lot to consider. I’ll leave you alone to discuss.”
I lift a single brow at my boyfriend, who’s intending on being my husband and baby daddy. Soon. “Not sure what to say after all that. You’re a bit of a surprise, Ford.”
He winks, the expression a newfound favorite. A tiny thrill zips through me with each one. “I prefer hopelessly optimistic. It’s my new outlook.”
I gaze up at him, lost in the possibilities of our love. “I’m beginning to believe we’re living out our very own happily ever after.”
Crawford seals my vow between us with a kiss. “And that’s how we will always stay.”
Healing Hug #33: The one meant to carry on through it all.
Sweat coats my palms against the steering wheel, and I almost swerve from the slippery grip. My nerves bathe the air with a pungent tang that anyone with a nose can scent. If that isn’t suspicious, I don’t know what is. I try to be discreet while wiping the dewy evidence away. Crashing Keegan’s new ride will not bode well for me.
There’s no squeak of outrage from my right so I’m probably in the clear. For now. This is probably a stupid plan that I’ll pay for later. But those consequences could really end up being rewards if I play my ace in the hole right. The rapid beat pounding against my ribs is a warning I should listen to.
This doesn’t need to be rushed. I can wait longer. Hell, maybe I should. Keegan probably won’t take too kindly to this idea. But the grand finale should be enough to smooth things over. I allow a smirk to tilt my lips at the mere idea of her reaction. One glance at her sitting so prim and proper in the passenger seat cements the decision into my gut.
The timing is ideal, and all the details are settled. I’ve enlisted the assistance of a certain almost eight-year-old. Speaking of, Millie is practically vibrating in the backseat. There’s no telling how long before she bursts. This morning, she assured me the secret is still safe. Only one way to find out.
We’re halfway home, cruising along a very familiar stretch of interstate. I pull over onto the shoulder at the precise location, kicking up dust and killing the engine. Once the cloud of chalky gravel clears, I get a good look at our surroundings. Just right.
Keegan
