I was a trending on a few different social media platforms. Every app I clicked on, pictures of the two of us in matching outfits flooded my feed. The photographer had done a fantastic job. I think this was the best I ever looked in a photoshoot. I said that to Tate as we were finishing our lunch in the kitchen. He rolled off his stool and came over to me. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and put his chin on my shoulder. I sighed, loving it.
“You two look perfect together. I couldn’t wish for a better pair. I love you so much,” he murmured lightly into my ear, sending nice shivers down my spine.
“I love you too.” I reached for his hands around my stomach. I squeezed his fingers. He squeezed back. “We should get some of these framed,” I added.
“Oh, I’m sure by the time we get back to my parent’s place my mom will have already done so. She’ll probably have a set for her and a set for us to bring home,” he chuckled. I did too, knowing that he was probably right.
“I think I’m going to call my parents today. Make it officially known. I think it’s getting past the awkward point. My mom’s feelings will be hurt if she sees these and I don’t call,” I explained.
“Makes sense. I don’t think I’ve formally met her yet. I know for sure I haven’t talked to her since we got together. Maybe when they get home we should see about dinner. Invite them over, I’ll cook.”
I scooted off my own stool and turned around to face him. My eyes were skeptical as I looked up into his smiling face.
“You cook?”
“Not well, but enough to get through one meal. Plus, I’m getting better, I think. When Cara wakes up for her two a.m. feedings and it’s my turn, we come out here and watch the cooking channel together. I’ve watched so many chefs do baked Alaska’s, I’m confident I can make one that’ll knock your socks off.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down. I crossed my arms, still skeptical.
“You watch the cooking channel? Why?”
He shrugged.
“There’s nothing good on that late, and it keeps me awake enough to get Cara fed, changed, and then back to bed. It’s not like I stay up late to do so, it just happens. I think it’s our thing, mine and hers. I like it.” He walked over to her bassinet, where she was awake and kicking her legs. He reached down and squeezed a foot lightly. She coo’d for him.
“I feel the closest to her then. At night. My work schedule is so busy that it’s easy to slip out of dad brain and focus on myself. But at night, when it’s just the two of us, I enjoy watching her watch me. Her eyes are so curious,” he chuckled. I nodded, understanding. I felt the same way. Late night feedings were kind of great. They gave us time to really get to know the little person we were raising.
“Okay, so what else is on the menu besides dessert?” I asked, as I rounded the island. I leaned on the countertop, resting my chin in my hands. He tilted his head to the side in thought.
“Hm, okay. So, I think we’ll start off with appetizers. You have bacon right?” He came around and opened the fridge. I stood up straight and turned to watch him.
“We do. What are you doing with it?”
“I think I’m going to crumble it on... something. No, I’ll make a sauce for dipping.”
“Dipping what?” I laughed at his enthusiasm.
“Mini cheeseburgers.”
“Cheeseburgers and baked Alaska? That is a rather unique menu,” I observed. He gave me a pointed look.
“Okay, Chef Jimmy, you tell me what you’d make for a dinner to meet your parents.”
“Sushi, obviously,” I scoffed.
“Can you make sushi? You have to make whatever we serve, that’s the rules,” he grinned. I laughed and shook my head. I loved it when he was like this.
“Okay, fine. It looks like we’re having breakfast for dinner. Pancakes and bacon all around.”
“Ooh, I can get on board with that. Maybe some chocolate chips,” he licked his lips.
My mind went back to the breakfast we had eaten at the hotel during the romance book convention. Our plates were cavities in the making. I remembered he told me once that the convention weekend was when he realized he really had feelings for me. My stomach fluttered at the memory.
“I’ll call my parents and set something up. I think it will be fun,” I told him. He didn’t look so sure.
“It’ll be something,” he murmured. I rolled my eyes so he added quickly, “but it will be fine. It needs to happen eventually. Plus, I’m sure they’d like to meet their granddaughter.”
The word sent a bad feeling straight to my gut. Would they accept Cara as quickly as I had? I mean, how could they not? My dad was stubborn. If he wasn’t okay with something, then that was it. I hoped they wouldn’t take too much convincing. It would be absolutely mortifying if he caused a scene.
My parents were harder than hell to get ahold of. I had to leave a few voicemails before my mom called me back one morning almost three days after my first call.
