Unexpected Odds (Unexpected Arrivals 5)

“Can I?” he asks me.

I nod.

He smiles.

My heart flips over in my chest.

I watch as he opens the door, and unstraps her seat as if he’s done it hundreds of times. Then again, maybe he has. He does have several nieces and nephews running around. He surprises me when he lifts her from the car and settles her on his hip. My little girl, our little girl grins widely. Being carried is a luxury for her; she’s too big for me to pack her around all the time. Kenton, he lifts her as if she weighs nothing.

“Tell Mommy goodbye.” He leans into me, letting her give me a hug before jerking her away with a bounce, making her laugh. He does it again, and this time lets her get her arms around me in a hug through her giggles.

“Take care of her,” I tell him, suddenly extremely emotional that I’m leaving the two of them here. I want to be here for this.

“What’s wrong?” he asks immediately, sensing my hesitation.

“I just… wish I was staying.”

“Then stay. We want Mommy to make cookies with us, don’t we, kiddo?” he asks her.

Kendrix bobs her little head up and down. “We can teached you.”

“Teach,” I correct her.

“The whole purpose was to talk to Mom without—” I nod toward Kendrix.

“Just come in for a few minutes. Let yourself see where she’s going to be and what we’re going to be doing. Then you can go. I can bring her home, or you can come back. Whichever you think is best.”

“She has to have a car seat.”

“I know. I have one.”

“What?”

“I have one.”

“When did you find time to order a car seat?”

“Amazon. Two-day shipping. It was at the house last night when I got home.”

“I… I don’t know what to say to that.”

“There is nothing to say. I wanted to be able to help with her and have her with me, and I needed her to be safe.” He shrugs like it’s not a big deal.

It’s a big damn deal.

Huge.

So huge, in fact, I want nothing more than to kiss him. With our daughter in his arms, both of them smiling down at me, that’s what I want. More than that, I want this life. I want a partner, someone who can share the good and the bad.

“Come on, Momma, cookies,” Kendrix urges me.

“Okay.” I smile at her. Reaching into the car, I shut off the engine and close the door. I trail behind the two of them while sending my mother a text message, which she hates.Me: Going to be a little longer than I thought. Decided to stay for a little while.Mom: This is nonsense, Delaney. Both of you come back here so we can discuss what you think you might know.Mom: How can you believe a complete stranger?I ignore her and slide my phone in my back pocket. I know her. She’s had time to think about this, and we no longer have an audience. It’s just me, and when my pocket vibrates four times in a row, I continue to ignore her and her rant.

“Let’s make some cookies,” Kenton calls out as we enter the house.

“Uncle Kent!” Knox and Everly come running.

If you’re impressed that I remembered their names, don’t be. Last night, when Kenton dropped me off, I had him go through each of them and their kids’ names so I could learn them. I made a note on my phone. I want to be a part of his life, his family, and messing up names and parents isn’t a good way to start. He assured me I was putting too much pressure on myself and that it would all work out with time. However, the need to know each of them, to be an active participant in his life, in their lives is strong.

Walking into Kendall and Ridge’s home, seeing how warm and inviting it is, seeing the kids run and play… it’s just like last night at Seth and Mara’s. My mother would have a field day with this—she always complains if Kendrix gets too rowdy. She’s a kid, that’s kind of her job. Anyway, I know that what he said is right. I’m acting like my mother putting too much pressure on myself. That’s not how I want to live the rest of my life. That’s not how I’m going to live the rest of my life.

“Hey, are you ready to make some cookies?” he asks them.

“What’s your name?” Knox looks up at Kendrix.

“Kendrix.”

Kenton bends down to set her on her feet, and Knox holds his hand out for her and then to his little sister. “If you don’t know how to do it, I can show you. My mommy showed me how lots of times.”

“My mommy did too.” I hear my daughter answer as they disappear into the kitchen.