My steps are slow as I make my way into the living room. “Look who’s here to see you,” I tell Camden.
Jenny, Baker’s mom, stands and walks toward us. She has tears in her eyes. I assume she’s coming to take Camden, but she surprises me when she pulls us both into a hug. She holds us for a long time. However, when Camden starts to squirm, she steps back.
“Hey, sweetie,” Jenny coos to Camden.
He looks at me, and I smile and nod. “Do you want to go say hi to Grandma?” I ask him. He turns his head, burying it into my shoulder. “I’m sorry,” I tell Jenny. “He just woke up from a nap that was shorter than what he usually takes.”
“Oh, dear, it’s been too long, and I know how kids can be. He doesn’t know us well, and I was telling Jared the other day that we need to move closer. It breaks my heart that he’s shying away from me, but I understand.”
“Hey, bud.” Baker steps up behind me, placing one hand on the small of my back and the other on Camden’s back. “Why don’t we play with your trucks?” he suggests, trying to bring him out of his shell.
“Swoan, truck?” His hazel eyes, the same color as his daddy’s, peer up at me.
“Absolutely,” I tell him, placing a kiss on his temple, as Baker leans in and does the same, kissing mine. I move to the center of the room, where he has a rug racetrack laid out for his cars and trucks, and carefully lower to the floor with him in my arms. Baker sits next to me, and his parents sit on the opposite side. It only takes a few minutes of playing before he loosens his hold on me, crawls out of my lap, and starts interacting with his grandparents.
“I’m going to go get the rest of dinner started,” I tell Baker.
“Do you need help?”
“No, it’s quick and easy. I’ll be right back.” I turn to look at his parents. “Would either of you like something to drink?”
“Oh, no, we’re good for now,” Jenny says, looking at Jared for confirmation, and he also shakes his head.
Climbing to my feet, I head toward the kitchen, and Camden calls out, “Swoan!” He toddles to his feet and comes running, smashing into my legs.
“Hey, bud. I’m going to work on dinner. I’ll be right back.” He’s not having any of it, so I lift him into my arms and face them. “I’m sorry. Let me get this going, and I’ll be right back.”
“I’ll help. You can tell me what needs to be done,” Jenny says, climbing to her feet and following me into the kitchen.
I try to put Camden in his booster seat, but he clings to me with all he’s got.
“He loves you,” Jenny says, smiling.
“I love him, too.” Both of them.
“We heard you, you know. When you were upstairs. The baby monitor was still on down here.”
My mind races through everything I said while upstairs with Camden.
“I’m so glad they have you, Sloane. It’s plain as day, not only in how much both my boys look at you, but in your actions. You’re good for them, and I’m so happy for both of you.”
“Thank you,” I tell her, as Baker and his dad join us.
“Come see Daddy,” Baker says, and this time, Camden goes to him.
“Mom, Dad, I know I told you while she was upstairs, but I’d officially like to introduce you to my girlfriend, Sloane,” he says, leaning over to kiss my cheek, which Camden also insists on doing.
“Don’t embarrass the girl, Baker,” Jenny says, winking at me. “Now, what can I do?”
“Nothing. Just sit and tell us about your trip. I just have to shred this chicken and toss in a few more ingredients, and dinner will be ready in two hours.”
“Oh, well, she’ll need at least that long to tell you all about the trip,” Jared teases.
They both launch into telling us all about their three-month-long adventure while I get the rest of dinner in the Crock-Pot and make a snack of peanut butter toast for Camden.
I was worried how they would take me working for him, and us being together, but they didn’t even bat an eye. They welcomed me into their life as an important part of their son’s and grandson’s lives, which has me feeling all warm and gooey inside.
We have a great visit, and Camden eventually warms up to them, laughing and playing with no reservation. It’s a great night, and a glimpse of what our future together could be.
