“Wow,” he said, smiling. “This looks amazing. I don’t think anyone’s ever done this for me before.”
“Only once for me,” I replied.
“Well,” he said, “let’s make a pact: we’ll take turns making each other breakfast in bed.”
“I can live with that,” I said, sitting beside him.
We ate leisurely, laughing and talking. At one point, he asked, “So, tell me, what else do you love? What do you hate? What do you need from me?”
“Wow,” I said, laughing. “You’re really laying it on thick, Parker.”
“I mean it. You weren’t appreciated before, and I don’t want to make that same mistake. I want to know what you want, what you need, how we make this work.”
I paused, thoughtful. “I guess I haven’t thought that far ahead,” I admitted. “But I do like having my own space sometimes. And I think when the kids aren’t with us, that could be our time.”
Will nodded. “Makes sense. Bebe and Ivy already get along. Madison, though…well, she’s not a monster every day. The boys all seem easy going if they can play some Nintendo or physicalsports. Madison will come around. This is worth it, Natalie. What we have is worth figuring out the rocky stuff. Once we do, it’ll get easier.”
Before we could continue, my phone buzzed.
Meredith: Should we all drive to the airport? Evan wants to know if Will can drop him off after me.
I read the text aloud to Will.
“These two,” he said, shaking his head with a grin. “What are they up to?”
“I’ll text her back and let her know we’ll be down in thirty.”
Will got up to shower, and I couldn’t resist joining him. “No funny business, Bradford,” he teased, pulling me into a kiss.
We didn’t make it out of the shower quickly, but eventually, we got dressed and headed downstairs. Meredith looked effortlessly chic in her matching ALO set, while Evan, casual with Bear by his side, couldn’t stop glancing her way.
When we arrived at John Wayne Airport, Evan grabbed Meredith’s luggage, and Will gave her a hug.
“Be good to my sister,” she teased him.
“You know I will,” he replied with a smile.
I hugged her tightly. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ll see you in two weeks for Christmas.”
Meredith nodded, her eyes glistening. “I can’t wait, wherever you are, you are my home.”
I hugged her tight one last time.
Just before she walked away, Evan surprised us all by dipping her slightly and giving her a romantic kiss.
Once Meredith was on her way, we dropped Evan off and had time to ourselves.
“How about lunch and a walk on the beach?” Will suggested. “Have you been to Beachcomber Café?”
“I love that place,” I said.
“Perfect. Let’s go.”
CHAPTER 41
BLISSFUL BEGINNINGS
NATALIE
