December 12th #4
“And we’d love to gift you the nursery,” both Jennifer and Damon’s mom say at the same time.
They stop, look at each other, and start laughing.
I laugh too. “Well, seeing as we’re probably going to need two of them, that might work out fabulously.
My job, if I get to keep it, will require me to be in the office here in Kansas City a couple of days a week.
So, in theory, I’d drive up with the baby to Lincoln, or Damon would come down here on weekends.
I think a three-hour drive with a baby is going to be stressful enough without having to pack up everything she’ll need for each trip. ”
Jennifer grins big, causing Damon’s mom to go, “You’re up to something.”
She giggles. “I may have a secret of my own. And I haven’t told Danny yet because I want to surprise him. So, you guys have to promise me that you won’t tell him.”
“I promise,” I say while Lori goes, “What did you do?”
“I bought my own jet,” Jennifer says.
“What?! When?” Lori asks.
“I know, right? We’ve been lucky enough to tag along on Jadyn and Phillip’s plane, but now that the girls are a little older and I’ve been traveling more internationally for work, I decided it makes sense.
And as you know, I’ve never really spent any of the money I’ve earned.
And I’m trying not to feel guilty about it, but I want to be able to take Danny and the girls with me comfortably.
I want them to see the world. And, Ainsley, I want to let you know that when I’m not using it, I will still be paying my pilots, and it will sit in a hangar, and I think traveling back and forth to Lincoln would be much easier and safer in it than driving.
So, you and Damon are welcome to use it at your convenience. ”
“Wow, that is amazing. Thank you,” I say.
Damon’s mom slips her arm around Jennifer and pulls her into a squeeze. “Congratulations,” she says. “I’m proud of you.”
“For spending way too much money on a total luxury and very conspicuous consumption?” Jennifer replies.
“You did it for the right reasons. To make your family more comfortable. Having flown commercial with our kids over the years to Danny’s events while he was on the team’s private plane was, in one word, exhausting.
And stressful. And although I was always glad to even have the opportunity to be there and the kids were always well behaved, it was a lot. ”
“Thank you,” she says, beaming.
“I heard you have some really pretty cars,” I say to Jennifer.
“Oh, I do. Did Damon tell you that we’re building out here?
And we’ve talked Phillip into it too. He bought the lot across the street from us.
” Her eyes get huge, and she slaps her hand over her mouth.
“Shit! Forget I said that! It’s supposed to be a surprise.
Jadyn doesn’t know yet and won’t know until their anniversary in January. ”
“I guess I fit into the family well,” I tease.
“I’m thrilled you’ll be living close,” Damon’s mom says to her, then turns to me. “And speaking of Jadyn, I have a stack of house plans for Damon. Do you want to look at them?”
“Maybe in the morning?” I ask.
“I bet you’re tired,” Jennifer says. “I could barely make it till nine when I was pregnant, and I’ve always been a night owl.”
“How about some dessert, and then I’ll show you up to your room?” Damon’s mom asks.
“I’d love that. Thank you.”
While she’s in the kitchen, I take a moment to glance at my phone and see a text from my mom.
Mom: You doing okay?
Me: Yes, I am. We told his parents, and they’re thrilled. Is it okay if I fill you in tomorrow?
Mom: Of course. Just wanted to check on my baby.
Me: I love you.
Mom: So, can I share the news with the world?!
Me: That’s the real reason for your text, isn’t it?
Mom: Kinda.
Me: Can you wait until Monday? I want Chase, Dani, and Haley to hear it from us first. Then maybe we can send out a text to the rest of the family.
Mom: Sounds good.
Me: But you can tell Hayes if you want.
Mom: Oh, thank you! I’m so excited!
“I’m exhausted,” I say, sliding into bed next to Damon.
“Me too,” he replies.
“How were the cigars? Your mom expected your dad to ask you a lot of questions.”
“And he did,” Damon says, rolling his eyes.
“Good way or bad way?”
“Just a lot of questions we don’t have the answers to yet, you know. I just found out myself, so while you and I have sort of mapped out a plan, I haven’t had the time to wrap my head around it all.”
“I heard a couple of secrets tonight,” I tell him.
“Like what?”
“That Jadyn sent your house plans here.”
“Did she? That’s amazing. She was going to email them to me.
I was planning to show you all of this over the holidays and thought we could pick one out and decide when to commence construction.
But now I’m really glad the builder suggested getting it going this year instead of waiting.
Things work out sometimes that way. Like the universe knows before you do and guides your decisions.
I can’t wait to pick one out with you tomorrow. ”
“I can’t wait either. This all feels like a dream.”
“You’re having my baby. We’re in love. And we’re going to build a house for our future. I’d say we’re quite lucky,” he says.
I give him a kiss, then lay my head on his shoulder.