“Thank you, but he’ll eat just about anything. We’ll just make sure it’s in small enough pieces for him.”
“Well, we’re ready. Let’s make our plates,” Carl tells us.
“You can set the diaper bag in the living room.” Sloane nods to the couch that’s visible from the open-floor concept.
By the time I get back to the kitchen, I’m shocked to see Nancy cutting up some grilled chicken, adding some mashed potatoes and mac and cheese to a plate with Camden’s favorite cartoon character.
“You didn’t have to do that,” I say, my heart warming at the same time I realize this is where my girl's huge heart came from.
“We wanted him to feel welcome. I wasn’t sure you all would be with Sloane, but we’re glad you are.” Nancy smiles kindly. “Camden, look at this.” She holds up the matching fork and spoon, and that earns her a full-on grin as he reaches out for them. “Let’s get you set up at the table.”
“I’ll hold him,” I tell Sloane. “I didn’t think to bring the booster seat. All my friends keep one at their place for him, and so do my parents. Rookie mistake.”
“No need,” Carl says. “We got the little one a booster seat. It says ages two and up. He’s two, right?” he asks.
“He is. Thank you for that. That was very nice of you. You didn’t have to.”
“Of course, we did. We hope to be seeing more of this little guy,” Nancy says.
Sloane places Camden in his seat, which is between us, and he digs right into his food. He makes all kinds of noises and says, “Yummy, yummy,” when he tries the potatoes, and Sloane’s parents just ooh and ahh over him.
Dinner is easy, as if the five of us have been dining together for years. It was similar when my parents were in town, which is just one more reason I love this woman. She just fits. We fit, and I can’t imagine my life without her.
After dinner, Sloane and her mom give Camden Carl’s gifts to deliver, and he claps each time he does. I stopped at the liquor store on the way over and bought him a bottle of bourbon, which Sloane told me was his favorite. Sloane got him a new shop light to use when he’s working in the garage—his old one is on its last leg, Carl’s words, not mine—and Nancy got him some clothes, and they’re going to dinner next weekend with friends.
“Well, this has been the best birthday,” Carl says, after opening the final gift.
“Happy Birthday,” we all say at once.
Cam moves to the couch, crawls up in my lap, and rubs his eyes. “You tired, bud?” I ask him.
“Swoan, book.”
Sloane chuckles. “We like our bedtime stories, don’t we?” she asks him, and he nods. “We should get him to bed.” She stands and hugs her dad, then her mom.
“Thank you for having us, and for all of the special accommodations you made for Camden. I truly appreciate you welcoming us into your home, especially on such a special day.”
Nancy waves me off, and she and Sloane move toward the front door. “She’s been smiling more lately. Even over the phone, I can hear it,” Carl tells me.
“She’s special,” I tell him. I should say to him that I’m in love with her, but she needs to hear those words from me first.
“She is. Take care of her.” His tone is light, but there’s so much meaning behind it. Not a threat. Not at all. Just a father, telling the man with whom his daughter is dating to keep her heart safe.
“Always,” I assure him. It’s the best I can do right now, but one day, I’ll be back in this living room, asking for his daughter’s hand in marriage. It’s too soon, but I know she’s it. She’s ours, and we’re keeping her forever.
Chapter Twenty
Sloane
* * *
“How do you feel about me picking up a costume for Camden for Halloween today?” I ask Baker. We’ve just finished breakfast, and I’m getting ready to meet the girls for a day of shopping. It’s a bye week for the team, and we’re taking full advantage of some overdue girl time.
“Shit, is it that time already?” he asks.
“Close enough. It’s the first Saturday in October. We have a few weeks yet, but I thought while I was out, I could pick one up. I know that Bellamy is going to be looking for Coral’s.”
“Do you mind?”
