39. Kai
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Kai
If there was one thing we’d all agreed on, it was that Sadie deserved a damn good night.
Between everything she’d been through, the ups, the downs, the absolute chaos that seemed to follow us, she hadn’t had much time to just enjoy being happy.
To celebrate.
And now, with the baby on the way, it felt more important than ever to make sure she knew just how much she meant to us.
So we planned.
And if we went a little overboard? Well, she was worth it.
I leaned against the counter of The Brewed Bean, watching as Samuel double-checked the last-minute details with Samantha.
The café had cleared out for the evening, giving us the perfect quiet start to the night.
“She’s gonna love this,” Adam said, nudging my arm. “You nervous?”
I scoffed. “Nervous? Man, please. We nailed this.”
And we had. With the help of the town, of course. It felt like everyone had pitched in, eager to do something special for Sadie.
“Alright, let’s get to our spots,” Adam said, checking his watch. “Lila just texted me. She’s on her way.”
I exhaled, shoving my hands into my jacket pockets as we stepped outside. The night was cool but not cold, the kind of perfect autumn evening that made Medford feel even cozier than usual. As we moved into place, the anticipation buzzed between us.
And then, there she was.
Sadie stepped onto Maple Avenue, her eyes widening as she took everything in. The twinkling lights. The familiar faces waiting just for her. The warmth of home wrapped up in every little detail.
Adam was the first to greet her, pressing a kiss to her forehead before guiding her toward The Brewed Bean.
“First stop,” he said, smirking. “Figured you’d need a little something sweet to start the night.”
She laughed, shaking her head. “What is going on?”
“It’s date night,” I said simply. “For you.”
Sadie blinked, her lips parting as she looked between us, then at The Brewed Bean’s softly shining windows. “You guys did all this… for me?”
“For you,” Samuel confirmed, giving her a warm smile. “Figured it was about time we did something to celebrate you.”
She exhaled a small, disbelieving laugh, her hand brushing over her stomach instinctively. “I don’t even know what to say.”
Adam smirked, nudging her toward the café door. “Try ‘thank you’ after you see what’s inside.”
Still shaking her head, she let us lead her in.
The café smelled like fresh espresso and warm vanilla, a comforting mix that wrapped around us the second we stepped inside.
The counter had been set up with a selection of her favorite drinks and pastries, and just to the side, Aurora’s carefully crafted gift basket sat waiting on a small table near the best window seat in the place.
Sadie’s hands flew to her mouth the second she saw it.
“Oh my god.”
Her eyes shimmered, her gaze darting over the details: the hand-tied bow on the basket, the hardcover books stacked neatly inside, the little bundle of cozy socks and chocolate tucked beside them.
Aurora had outdone herself.
“Go ahead,” I said, nudging her toward it. “Open it.”
She stepped forward, hesitating like she wasn’t sure this was real, before finally reaching for the card tucked into the ribbon. Her fingers trembled slightly as she opened it, and I watched her expression soften as she read Aurora’s familiar handwriting.
You deserve to be celebrated, Sadie. Enjoy every second of it.
She swallowed hard, pressing the card to her chest. “You guys…”
Adam wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pressing a kiss against her temple. “You’re loved, sugar. You better get used to it.”
She let out a watery laugh, then turned to Samuel and me, her eyes bright. “I don’t even know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say anything,” Samuel said. “Just enjoy it.”
She did.
We settled into our usual corner, the one near the window where we could watch the stars twinkling over Maple Avenue. Sadie curled up in the chair, her fingers tracing over the spines of the books Aurora had chosen for her.
“You did good,” she murmured after a moment, her gaze flicking between the three of us.
I smirked. “We always do.”
Adam leaned back in his chair, his hands laced behind his head. “Yeah, we kinda nailed this.”
Sadie rolled her eyes, but she was smiling.
Just then, the bell over the door jingled and Harriet Cooper strolled in, carrying a tray with a covered plate and a steaming mug.
“Well, well,” she teased, grinning at us. “Look at this cozy little bunch.”
Sadie straightened, smiling at her. “Harriet, what are you doing here?”
Harriet set the tray down in front of Sadie with a wink. “Couldn’t let the night pass without bringing you the real ‘Sadie and Kai Special.’”
Sadie’s eyes popped wide. “The ‘Sadie and Kai Special’?”
I chuckled. “You know it!”
Harriet uncovered the plate with a flourish, revealing the famous maple donut, piled high with glossy icing and a generous scattering of bright sprinkles.
Sadie’s mouth dropped open. “No way.”
“Oh, yes.” Harriet patted her shoulder. “I think it’s time we put it on the menu… even if only for a night!”
Sadie looked between us, her throat working as she blinked rapidly.
“Harriet…” she started, her voice a little wobbly.
“Now, now,” Harriet said, squeezing her shoulder. “No tears tonight, sweetheart. Just smiles.”
Sadie inhaled deeply, then let out a shaky laugh. “I love you guys.”
Adam grinned, lifting his coffee. “To Sadie.”
“To Sadie,” Samuel echoed.
I clinked my cup against theirs. “To us.”
Sadie picked up the donut, shaking her head as she took a bite. The moment she tasted it, her eyes closed, and a quiet sound of happiness slipped past her lips.
I exchanged a glance with Adam and Samuel, and yeah… this night was perfect.
She deserved every second of it.
After The Brewed Bean, we took her to The Starry Night Movie Theatre, where the owner, Charlie Dunn, had agreed to give us a private showing. Just us, with Sadie curled between us in the plush seats, watching her favorite classic film on the big screen.
She’d started the night in disbelief, shaking her head every time we surprised her with another small, thoughtful detail. But by the time the opening credits rolled, she was leaning against Samuel, her hand curled over mine, and I could feel the tension finally ease from her body.
She was happy. Just… happy. And that was all we wanted.
Halfway through the movie, Adam reached over and stole some of her popcorn, grinning when she swatted at his hand. Samuel just chuckled, shaking his head, and I tightened my grip on her fingers, rubbing my thumb over her knuckles.
It was easy, effortless. Us.
By the time the credits rolled, she was full of popcorn, laughter, and about a gallon of cherry soda. She let out a slow breath as she stretched her arms overhead, turning to look at each of us.
“That was perfect,” she murmured.
Adam smirked. “Well, we’re not done yet.”
Her brows lifted. “You’re kidding.”
Samuel stood, offering her a hand. “Come on, sweetheart. One more stop.”
She groaned playfully but let him pull her up. “You guys really don’t know when to quit, huh?”
I grinned, tossing an arm over her shoulder. “Not when it comes to you.”
By the time we made it back to the house, it was late, the stars bright and scattered across the sky. Sadie sighed as she stepped inside, kicking off her shoes and stretching.
“Okay,” she said, flopping onto the couch. “Now I’m exhausted.”
Adam chuckled, dropping down beside her, tucking her into his side. Samuel leaned against the doorway, watching her with quiet amusement, and I sat on the coffee table in front of her, resting my elbows on my knees.
There was a beat of silence, the weight of the moment settling in.
Then Samuel cleared his throat. “We, uh… we actually had one last thing we wanted to talk to you about.”
Sadie blinked, her brows drawing together. “Oh?”
Adam pressed a kiss to her hair. “Yeah, sugar. It’s kinda important.”
She sat up a little, her gaze darting between us. “Okay… now I’m nervous.”
I exhaled a soft laugh, shaking my head. “Don’t be. Just…” I hesitated, rubbing the back of my neck. “Just hear us out.”
Samuel pushed off the doorframe and moved to sit beside her, his hand resting against her knee. “We want you to move in.”
Sadie’s breath hitched. “What?”
Adam squeezed her hand. “You. Here. With us.”
Her lips parted, her expression flickering between surprise, disbelief, and joy. “You guys…”
I leaned forward, catching her gaze. “You already spend most of your time here. Hell, your stuff is basically here anyway. And with the baby coming, it just… it makes sense.”
Samuel nodded. “But more than that, we want you here, darlin’. Every day. Every night.”
Sadie swallowed hard, her fingers curling into the hem of her sweater.
Adam nudged her. “Say something, sugar.”
She exhaled sharply, shaking her head. “I just… I don’t know what to say.”
I reached for her, taking both of her hands in mine. “Say yes.”