Chapter 31 – Kenna-Present #2
Cohen climbs onto my lap, wrapping his arms around my neck. “So… does this mean the best birthday ever is going to be the bestest-ever-ever birthday? Like, better than a million volcano eruptions?”
I laugh, kissing his hair. “Yes, love. This year, it’s going to be bigger than you can imagine.”
Cole crouches down next to us. “And we’re going to make sure it’s perfect. For you. For all of us.”
There’s something sacred in this moment, the three of us tangled together on the bed, the air thick with promises and new beginnings.
I glance over at Cole, at the man who came back when I least expected but most needed him, and I know that whatever comes next, we’re ready.
Because family isn’t just blood. It’s love. It’s choosing each other, every day.
And today? Today is just the start of everything beautiful.
We make our way to my parents’ house, the excitement still buzzing between us like electricity in the air after a summer storm.
The late afternoon sun filters through the trees, casting long shadows that dance alongside our footsteps.
Cohen’s small hand is tucked tightly into mine, and Cole walks just behind us, his arm brushing lightly against my back every few steps—like a silent promise of support.
The moment we step inside, the familiar warmth of home wraps around us—the scent of old wood, my mom’s favorite cinnamon candle flickering softly on the kitchen counter, and the quiet hum of life that has always made this place a sanctuary.
Cohen’s eyes gleam with mischief and joy as he suddenly clears his throat and announces loudly, “Cole is my dad, and Mom and Dad are getting married!”
For a split second, the entire room freezes.
Plates halfway to mouths pause mid-air. Glasses stop clinking against the table.
It’s as if the world has held its breath.
Then, as if the silence breaks a dam, Millie is the first to react—her face lighting up with a radiant smile as she rushes over to pull me into a tight hug.
She’s glowing, her cheeks flushed with pregnancy and a soft halo of light seeming to surround her like she’s carrying the sun inside her.
Her hands rest protectively on her nearly nine-month belly as she whispers, voice trembling with emotion, “I’m so happy for you, Kenna. This...this is everything.”
Lucie chimes in, “Well, it’s about time.” Her voice is playful, but there’s undeniable warmth behind the tease, a sisterly approval that means more than words.
Reuben and Asher come forward together, their smiles wide and genuine. Reuben pulls me into a brotherly hug, his voice soft but full of meaning. “You finally got the life you dreamed of, Kenna.”
I feel a lump form in my throat as I look around at everyone gathered here. This evening—this moment—is more than just a dinner. It’s a turning point.
The house is alive with laughter and chatter, the kind that fills every nook and cranny, making even the walls seem to breathe with joy.
Millie sits at the head of the table, gently stroking her belly, Gabriel by her side with his hand resting on her lower back in that steady, protective way only he can manage.
Their eyes meet occasionally, sharing silent conversations only they understand—like they’ve been waiting for this moment their entire lives.
Aura, Millie’s toddler, is perched on her lap, a small bundle of brown curls and big blue eyes that dart around the room with wide-eyed wonder.
She’s clutching a half-chewed cracker in one tiny hand, her other hand gripping Millie’s shirt as if to anchor herself in the warmth of family.
Her innocence and curiosity add a beautiful softness to the bustling room.
Dinner is served, the familiar aroma of my mom’s famous meatballs filling the air. The smell wraps around us like a hug—warm, comforting, nostalgic. Plates clatter softly as we all dig in, the table quickly becoming a mess of sauce-spattered napkins and half-eaten spaghetti strands.
“Can I have more pasta, please?” Cohen asks, his eyes fixed on his plate as he forks up the last of his spaghetti.
I glance over at him, a smile tugging at my lips. “Just one more scoop, okay? You’re going to get a stomach ache if you eat any more.”
He pouts dramatically. “Mom,” he protests, “I’m growing. I need to be strong and healthy for my birthday!”
I laugh, shaking my head. “That’s true, but we don’t need a stomach ache to go along with your strength.”
Millie, who’s sitting across from me, looks over at Cohen with a laugh. “I don’t think he’s ever going to stop talking about that boat birthday party.”
Cohen beams, practically vibrating with excitement. “I can’t wait! The Mentos ones. The volcanoes will be bigger than last year!”
Laughter bubbles up around the table, the energy warm and electric.
I glance at Cole, who’s sitting next to me with his hand resting casually on my knee.
His eyes are soft, almost lost in the happiness of the moment.
That look—the one where his walls come down and I see the purest version of him—makes my heart flutter wildly.
It’s a feeling I want to bottle up and keep forever.
We’re here, surrounded by the people we love, and the future looks brighter than it ever has.
Suddenly, Millie shifts in her chair, her hand moving instinctively to her belly. Her face tightens for a brief moment, a flicker of discomfort crossing her features. I catch it immediately.
Gabriel, sensing it too, leans in, his voice low and soothing as he rubs gentle circles on her back. “You alright, Bumper?”
Millie bites her lip. “Yeah, just...a cramp,” she murmurs, trying to smile through the pain. “Probably just one of those annoying pregnancy things.”
But then her face pales, the cramp deepening, and she shifts again, eyes wide with sudden alarm.
Before anyone can react, a sharp, unmistakable sound splits the air—the unmistakable gush of water breaking.
“Millie?” My mom’s voice rises, a blend of surprise and concern. “Oh, my God.”
Millie gasps, clutching her belly with both hands. “I think...I think it’s time.”
The room falls completely silent, a silence that feels thick and heavy. Gabriel jumps to his feet immediately, his usually calm demeanor flickering with panic, but there’s a determination in his eyes. “I need to get the car ready,” he says, voice trembling but resolute.
Lucie is already at Millie’s side, helping her stand. “Let’s get you to the hospital.”
Millie nods, her breath quickening, the reality of the situation setting in. Gabriel is pacing, looking between Millie and the door, clearly trying to keep himself together for her.
“Is there anything we can do?” I ask, standing up, moving toward Millie as I place a hand on her shoulder.
“I’m good,” she says, her voice tight but trying to stay calm. “Just get me to the hospital, please. We don’t have much time.”
My dad, who’s been standing frozen for a few seconds, suddenly jumps into action. “Someone get the car keys! Gabriel, do you need help with the car seat?”
“It’s ready,” Gabriel says, nodding toward the entryway, his voice steadier now. “I’ve got everything set.”
The house erupts into organized chaos. Lucie grabs her purse, Reuben throws on his jacket, my mom is on the phone with the hospital, and I’m holding Millie’s hand, feeling the rapid beat of her pulse beneath my palm.
My mom scoops Aura up, her sleepy face scrunching in confusion, but unbothered, already looking forward to her first trip to meet her baby sister. She babbles softly, oblivious to the whirlwind of activity, but already eyes are bright with wonder at the new adventure.
As everyone rushes around, Millie’s hand finds mine. “Kenna, I’m scared,” she admits, her voice trembling.
I squeeze her hand, my voice steady even as I feel the adrenaline in my own veins. “You’re strong, and Gabriel’s right here. We’ve got you.”
She nods, but there’s a flicker of anxiety in her eyes. I glance at Gabriel, who’s already on the phone with someone, making sure everything’s in place for Millie’s arrival at the hospital. But when he looks up at me, there’s nothing but calm assurance in his eyes.
“Let’s go,” he says, and there’s an unspoken promise that no matter what happens, they’ll be okay.
And just like that, the frenzy continues. We’re all in motion, rushing to help Millie get into the car and on her way to the hospital.
Cohen stands next to me, eyes wide as saucers. “Mom, is Aunt Millie really having the baby right now?”
I nod, ruffling his hair affectionately. “Yep. The baby is coming right now.”
He looks over at Cole, his eyes lighting up with something like excitement. “Dad, that’s so cool. I think I want to be a doctor when I grow up.”
I laugh, pulling him close. “Maybe one day, lovebug.”
As we head to the car, Cole’s hand slips into mine, his fingers brushing gently against mine like an unspoken promise. Despite the chaos, this moment feels perfect. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of and more—family, love, new beginnings.
Later at the hospital, Gabriel paces like a caged animal, eyes flicking constantly to the clock on the wall. Millie’s contractions are relentless now—closer, faster, a clear sign the baby is ready.
We sit in the waiting room, the air heavy with anticipation. No one talks much. The silence feels sacred. Aura is asleep in my mom’s arms, her small face calm in the storm of emotions surrounding us.
It’s a moment of quiet before the storm.
Eventually, the door to the delivery room opens, and Gabriel bursts through with the most radiant smile I’ve ever seen. He’s shaking, his eyes shining with tears of happiness.
“It’s a girl!” he exclaims, voice full of emotion. “We have a baby girl! Mars Celestial Sirolli.”
There’s a collective cheer from everyone in the room.
Tears well up in my eyes as I hug Cole, my heart full of joy for Millie, and for all of us.
In the end, everything that seemed like a whirlwind, every chaotic moment tonight, was worth it.
Because we were here together. And that’s all that matters.
Tonight, our family grew even stronger, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like everything was falling into place. My heart swells with gratitude, knowing that this love—this family—is the best thing I’ve ever known. And this life, chaotic as it is, is perfect.
Later that night, in the quiet waiting room of the hospital, the noise of the outside world feels distant. Cole and I sit side by side, fingers intertwined. The world outside fades to a distant hum.
I sip the raspberry iced tea he brought me earlier.
The iced tea is cold and sweet, exactly the way I like it.
The warmth of his hand in mine is a grounding comfort, a reminder that amidst all the chaos, we’ve found each other.
And in that moment, I can’t help but wonder about what lies ahead for us.
I glance over at him, his brow furrowed in thought, his eyes reflecting the soft hospital lights.
He’s been so present, so steadfast today, never once wavering from my side.
His love for me has always been clear, but today?
Today, I can feel it in everything he does.
From the way he holds me when I’m overwhelmed, to the way he gently strokes my hair when the noise around us gets too loud.
There’s nothing that could shake the foundation of this love.
“Do you want more kids?” I ask, slipping out with little thought. I’m not sure why I’ve been wondering. Maybe it’s the quiet of the hospital, the weight of everything happening. Maybe it’s the reality of having a child, of building a family.
He looks at me, his eyes searching mine for a moment, as though weighing the question. “Before I knew about Cohen, I wasn’t sure if I wanted kids,” he says slowly, his voice thoughtful. “But now? Now that I know about him, I want as many as you’re willing to have, Kenna.”
My heart swells when I hear his words. Knowing he would love Cohen like his own was one thing, but hearing him say it aloud so freely brings a warmth to my chest I never thought I’d feel.
I smile, biting my lip to hold back the tears that are threatening to spill.
“I want to have another baby. Cohen is going to be a good big brother someday.”
Cole’s grin is wide and full of joy, and I can see it in his eyes. The same love, the same devotion, the same certainty that I feel in my bones. “Then we’ll have as many as you want, Sunshine.”
The simplicity of the promise settles in my chest. With him, I feel like anything is possible. I’ve spent so long feeling like my life was a puzzle, pieces scattered everywhere. But now? Now I see the image clearly. I know what I want. And he’s right there beside me, ready to make it happen.
Breathing deeply, the pressure lifts, and I feel lighter than before. “I also don’t want a big wedding,” I add, which came to me without hesitation. “I just want to go to the courthouse. My love for you is unconditional. Why wait?”
His eyes soften, and I swear I see something shimmer in them. A quiet wonder, maybe even disbelief, at how far we’ve come. “We’ll do whatever makes you happy, Kenna,” he says, his voice steady and filled with love. “And I’ll be right there with you, for all of it.”
Resting my head on his shoulder, I lean into him, feeling the words sink deep.
I don’t need a big, elaborate wedding. The world doesn’t need to know what Cole and I have.
I already know it. Our love is strong, undeniable, and it’s always been that way, even when we were apart. Our bond is unbreakable.
The world feels quiet around us as I close my eyes, feeling the steady rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek. In this moment, with Cole by my side, I feel like I’ve found my forever.
And as the night stretches on, I feel the weight of our future. One full of children, love, and a lifetime of memories settles comfortably in my heart. It’s scary, sure. But it’s also the most beautiful thing I’ve ever known.