Worship Him

28. Destiny

28

DESTINY

I stretch lazily, my eyes fluttering open to the soft morning light filtering through the cottage windows. The space beside me is empty, the sheets cool to the touch.

Where's Adam?

Sitting up, I listen intently. A deep, soothing voice drifts from the other room, accompanied by Avery's soft coos.

My heart swells as I slip out of bed and pad towards the sound.

I pause in the doorway, taking in the sight before me. His tall frame is silhouetted against the window, Avery cradled securely in his arms.

He's speaking to her in a low, gentle tone I've rarely heard from him.

"You're going to be a force to be reckoned with, just like your mama," he murmurs, pressing a kiss to her forehead. "Smart, beautiful, and stubborn as hell."

I can't help but chuckle. "I resemble that remark."

He turns, a rare, unguarded smile on his face. "Morning, beautiful. This little one was getting fussy."

"Looks like you've got it under control," I say, moving closer. "Who would have thought you’d be such a natural with babies."

He shrugs, but I can see the pride in his eyes. "What can I say? Ryder men are good with their hands."

"Is that so?" I tease, reaching out to stroke Avery's cheek. "Well, how about those magic hands make us some coffee while I give this one something to drink?"

"Your wish is my command," he says with a wink, carefully transferring Avery to my arms.

As I settle into the living room armchair to feed her, he bustles around the kitchen. The familiar sounds and scents of brewing coffee fill the air, mingling with Avery's contented sighs.

It feels... right. Like we're a real family.

"So," Adam says, leaning against the counter. "What's the plan for today?"

I raise an eyebrow. "You're asking me? I thought Adam Ryder always had a plan."

He grins, a mischievous glint in his eye. "Maybe I'm turning over a new leaf. Embracing spontaneity."

"Who are you and what have you done with my husband?" I laugh.

The air between us crackles warmly with possibility. I clear my throat. "Well, Mr. Spontaneous, how about we take Avery for a walk by the lake? It's a beautiful morning."

"Sounds perfect," he says, his gaze warm. "Just the three of us."

When I’ve finished my coffee, I step out of the cottage, breathing in the crisp morning air. Adam follows close behind, pushing Avery's stroller with practiced ease.

The path to the lake is dappled with sunlight filtering through the trees, and I can't help but smile at the peacefulness of it all.

"Remember when we used to come here to escape the city?" I ask, glancing over at him.

He nods, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, though I recall a lot less walking and a lot more... indoor activities."

"Adam!" I laugh, swatting his arm playfully. "There are innocent ears present."

He raises an eyebrow. "She's three months old, Des. I don't think she's picking up on our innuendos just yet."

We reach the edge of the lake, the water sparkling in the morning sun. He parks the stroller and scoops Avery up, cradling her against his chest.

"Look at that view, princess," he murmurs to her. "One day, this'll all be yours."

I roll my eyes. "Planning on buying the lake now, Moneybags?"

"Why not?" he shrugs, that confident grin I know so well spreading across his face. "Could be a good investment."

"You're impossible," I say, but I can't keep the affection out of my voice.

We walk along the shoreline, Avery cooing softly as she takes in the sights and sounds around her. It's surreal, being here with them both. Like a dream I never dared to hope for.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asks, nudging me gently.

I shake my head, smiling. "Just... happy. It feels right, being here with you two."

His free arm wraps around my waist, pulling me close. "It does. We should've done this a long time ago."

"Better late than never," I reply, leaning into his warmth, smiling like the cat that got the cream.

We linger there, just the three of us, watching the gentle waves lap at the shore.

After a really peaceful hour at the lake, we return to the cottage. Adam lulls Avery to sleep while I make us a cup of tea.

He sets her down and I feel his arms circle me from behind when I pour the milk.

I smile, my hand resting on his. He kisses my neck, sending a delicious shiver down my spine.

"Your tea, Mr. Spontaneous." I slide his cup to my right before looking up at him and giving him a quick kiss on the cheek.

We settle on the couch, our warm drinks set on the table, perhaps to be forgotten.

I lean back against his chest, feeling the steady rise and fall of his breathing. I can tell from the baby monitor that Avery's fast asleep in her portable crib, her tiny fists clenched tightly.

The fire—not quite necessary but still a welcome addition to the room’s atmosphere—crackles in the hearth, casting a warm glow across the room. It feels just like old times, and I can't believe we ever spent so much time apart.

"You’re going quiet again. What're you thinking about this time?" his deep voice rumbles through me.

I tilt my head back to look at him. "Us. How we almost threw this away."

He tightens his arms around me. "We were idiots."

"Speak for yourself," I tease, elbowing him gently.

"Fine. I was an idiot," he concedes with a chuckle. "But you have to admit, keeping our daughter a secret wasn't your brightest move either."

I wince. "Touché. God, we really messed up, didn't we?"

"Yeah, but look where we are now." His hand finds mine, intertwining our fingers. "Second chances don't come along every day. We'd be fools not to grab this one with both hands."

I nod, feeling a lump form in my throat. "I'm glad we got another shot at this. At us."

"Me too, Des." He presses a kiss to my temple. "And this time, we're not letting go."

We sit in comfortable silence for a while, watching the flames dance. It's surreal how easily we've fallen back into sync, like the past year of separation never happened.

Yet it did, and in some ways, I think we needed it.

"You know," I muse, breaking the quiet, "maybe we needed that time apart. To grow. To realize what we really wanted."

He raises an eyebrow. "Look at you, getting all philosophical. Next thing I know, you'll be telling me the universe has a plan."

I laugh, swatting his arm. "Hey, don't mock my newfound wisdom. I'm a mom now, you know. That automatically makes me sage and all-knowing."

"Oh really?" His eyes sparkle with mischief. "Then tell me, O Wise One, what does the future hold for us?"

I pretend to think hard, tapping my chin. "I see... diaper changes. Lots and lots of diaper changes."

He groans dramatically. "And here I thought you'd predict something more exciting. Like me buying out my competitors and becoming the tech overlord of the world."

"Nope, sorry. Just poop in your future, Mr. Ryder."

We dissolve into laughter, and I'm struck by how light I feel. How right. We may have taken a detour, but we've found our way back to each other.

When the afternoon sun filters through the cottage windows, I find myself in the kitchen, rummaging through the cabinets.

Adam had just returned from shopping for supplies—buying things we probably won’t even use— and is leaning against the counter, Avery nestled in his arms, watching me with an amused smirk.

"You know, we could just order in," he suggests, raising an eyebrow.

I shoot him a playful glare. "There’s no way there’s delivery way out here. Plus, this gives me an opportunity to christen our newly reunited family with a home-cooked meal."

"Alright, alright," he chuckles. "What's on the menu, Chef Lewis?"

I pull out a dusty cookbook, flipping through the pages. "How about that pasta dish we used to make? The one with the fancy Italian name I could never pronounce?"

"Ah, Pasta al Limone," he says, his accent flawless. Show-off. "I'm impressed you remember."

"Please," I scoff, gathering ingredients. "As if I could forget anything about our time here."

I start preparing the meal and he entertains Avery, his deep voice rumbling through the kitchen as he tells her elaborate stories about his latest tech ventures.

I can't help but smile, watching them together.

"And that, princess, is how Daddy's going to revolutionize the entire industry," he concludes, pressing a kiss to her forehead.

I roll my eyes. "You're incorrigible. She's three months old, not a board member."

"Never too early to start," he winks. "Right, baby girl?"

Our daughter responds with a happy gurgle, and we both laugh.

The kitchen fills with the aroma of lemon and garlic as I finish cooking. Adam sets the table, one-handed, Avery still tucked against his chest. It's a sight that makes my heart swell.

As we sit down to eat, I can't help but feel a surge of excitement for our future. This is what I've been missing, what we've both been missing. The simple joy of being together, of being a family.

"You outdid yourself, Des," he says, taking a bite. "Almost as good as I remember."

I kick him lightly under the table. "Watch it, mister. I'll have you know my culinary skills have only improved with time."

He grins, that cocky, self-assured smile that used to drive me crazy—and still does, if I'm honest. "Oh, I don't doubt it. You've always been full of surprises."

As we eat and talk, laughing over old memories and making plans for the future, I feel a sense of rightness settle over me.

This is where we belong.