We don't speak of having another baby again, but I can feel the weight of Kade's words on me every time we talk. He wants a big family. Who am I to stop him? I'll just have to get over my fear of the world. Maybe another baby would help. Maybe I'd feel better if I was surrounded by the chatter of two kids. Maybe... Maybe I could move on from what happened in that tomb once and for all.
"I'm home!" Kade calls out from downstairs, and I grin at Theo, who's sitting in my lap and looks delighted at the sound of his daddy's voice.
"Daddy's home!" I tell him excitedly, hoisting him up on my hip and taking the stairs into the main hall where Kade is waiting with a bright smile. He kisses Theo on the cheek, and our son laughs. Then he presses another kiss on the top of my head, cradling me against him. I let myself have that moment of pure pleasure, the happiness soaking through my skin like warm rays of sunshine.
"Missed you," I whisper in Kade's ear. "You were gone for such a long time.”
"I was gone for three hours," Kade objects with a grin, to which I reply with a pout.
"But it's Saturday."
He smiles apologetically. "I'm sorry, darling. Work can't wait some days. You know that." Next, he heads into the kitchen, and I follow in his steps like a lost puppy. Our nanny, Dierdre, comes up to us, and I gratefully hand her our son, who coos with delight. Dierdre takes him to the upper floor to give him a bath, and give me a much-needed break. I've spent all day with our son, even cradling him in my arms while I went through some accounts.
A lot has changed since those early days when our parents died and left us the company. At first, I acted as the head of the company, but it was pretty apparent I didn't have a clue what I was doing. So instead, we decided I would stay at home and help with the bigger decisions, still keeping an eye on things from home while Kade works in the office. It also gives me the chance to spend as much time as possible with Theo. But still, I miss my husband. I wish the company wasn't taking quite as much of his time as it is.
But that all means Kade is the head of the company now, and also that he will be called to work at the most outrageous time of day when there is a crisis—and lately, it seems like there's one after another. I wonder how the business is even staying afloat with all these terrible problems we seem to be facing. I listen to Kade chat about work, but I don't mind. And not only because this is the man I love, and I would listen to him telling me a story about grilled cheese. It's because my mother and Kade’s father started the company, and it's their only legacy. It is essential to both Kade and me to keep it afloat and as successful as it can be.
"I have a surprise for you," Kade finally says, mischief sparkling in his eyes, and my pupils dilate as I stare up at him with excitement.
"What is it?" I wonder, and he comes closer, hiding something behind his back.
"Close your eyes," he tells me, and I obey, shaking slightly. I know I'm just a big kid, but I freaking love surprises. This makes me happy, and he knows it, which I love about my man. Pulling my hands to my front, he puts something thin and papery in them and allows me to look. I do so, stopping on his face first before my eyes fly to the object in my hand. It is indeed a piece of paper and it says 'Congratulations' on it. I look up at Kade, feeling more than a little confused but giddy at the same time. I know this is going to be good, whatever it is.
"What is this?" I ask, barely holding back my excitement.
Kade wraps me in a big hug, pressing another kiss against my lips. "Remember that charity auction we did?"
I think back a few weeks, remembering an auction we held for a local kids charity. We ended up raising a lot of money by selling some paintings, and if I recall correctly, there were some raffles for prizes for the guests as well.
"We won the raffle?" I ask with surprise. "I thought that wasn't allowed."
Kade shrugs before explaining what happened. "Guess they just pulled our name when they had the drawing. We won a romantic trip for two to Hawaii."
"Hawaii?" I look at him, my eyes widening with excitement. "Can we go?" I ask hesitantly, fully expecting him to postpone the entire thing because of work. But what he says next takes me completely by surprise.