38. Nessa
38
NESSA
JENSEN: Leaving the airport be home in a little while
JENSEN: Don’t panic
I snort as the second message comes in immediately after the first, like he can see me actively hyperventilating over meeting his parents. Because I am.
There’s never been as much at stake as there is with Dottie and Wayne Kade bursting the little bubble Jensen and I have lived in since I’ve been in Blackstone Falls. I want his parents to like me, not just because of Remi but for me too.
And despite Jensen’s reassurance that his mama’s heart is bigger than the state of Tennessee, I still have my doubts.
Remi coos at Scout as the puppy races around the room, the two already thick as thieves, and it makes me smile. Even if he doesn’t realize it yet, Jensen is already an amazing father, creating a home for Remi to grow and thrive in.
My heart squeezes a little at the reminder of how much I’ll miss—the big moments and the things a photo can’t quite capture.
AGENT: Did you look over what they sent back?
NESSA: Yes and I left you notes.
NESSA: I need you to add in there that I won’t be back till the very last minute before training starts
AGENT: You’re making me nervous
NESSA: Just do it
Swallowing down the lump of emotion in my throat, I throw myself into every mundane task in between feeding Remi and putting her down for a nap. I’m nearly crawling out of my skin when I hear Jensen’s truck pull up outside, the headlights shining into the windows.
I shove a chocolate chip cookie, courtesy of my nervous baking, into my mouth as doors open and close, while their muffled voices grow closer.
As the knob turns, I realize I’m woefully unprepared for this moment as panic floods through my veins.
Jensen’s the first through the door, his mouth opening as if to warn me when Dottie bolts around him and makes a beeline in my direction. She’s beautiful—tan and willowy with ombre gray hair flowing around her shoulders and pale green eyes that are warm and filled with so much emotion.
“Oh my goodness, my sweet girl,” Dottie croons as she wraps me in a hug and squeezes me tight. “We are just so incredibly thankful for you.”
“Dottie, let the poor girl take a breath,” Jensen’s father says as he closes the door behind him and places his wife’s purse on the island.
She pulls back but doesn’t let go. It’s probably the most physical contact I’ve endured outside Jensen and Remi, but I realize I don’t hate it.
Not at all.
My own parents are not overly affectionate, but it had never bothered me until right now with Jensen’s mother looking at me like she’s just as excited to get to know me as she is her granddaughter.
“We’re so happy you’re here,” Dottie whispers.
“Mama,” Jensen pleads.
“I know, I know,” she says, taking a step to the side, but squeezing my hand in hers as she wipes a stray tear with the other. Wayne crosses the room and, easing his wife toward their son, offers me his hand with a gentle smile.
“Wayne Kade. We’re real thankful for you, Miss Hart. Heard you been doin’ some fine work over at the university as well.”
His kind words are unexpected and almost too much as I blink like crazy to keep the tears at bay. Jensen has his arm around Dottie’s shoulders as she dabs at her eyes.
I’m not this person.
I’m not emotional.
Remi’s little cries through the monitor are music to my ears, my body seeming to snap back into action as a smile graces my lips.
“I’ll go grab her while y’all get settled,” I say with a smile before scurrying down the hall and practically gasping for air when I’m safely inside her room.
“Are you all right?” Jensen’s voice is a gravelly whisper from behind me, forcing me to turn around and meet his concerned expression.
“I’m fine,” I say quietly as I mute the monitor.
“I told you not to lie to me,” he growls, taking a step forward and forcing my chin up with the side of his finger.
“They’re nice. ”
“Of course they’re nice.”
“No,” I huff, taking a step back and pulling frustratedly at my ponytail. “They’re good, genuine people. You forget how little I see that in my life. I could feel the love pouring out of your mother as she hugged me. It’s a lot, Jensen.”
His face softens as he wraps me in a hug.
I don’t want to be hugged, but the more I struggle, the tighter he holds me until the fight leaves me and I’m melting into his embrace.
I hate that he knows me.
I hate that I like it.
“To be fair, I did warn you that Mama can be a lot.”
She’s wonderful.
Tilting my head back, I catch the way his lips quirk up on one side, his dimple popping the longer he looks at me.
Some might argue that my family is perfect with the myriad of professional athletes but we’re nothing compared to the Kades.
Because this is real—real love and affection and gratitude.
Remi whines, her little body squirming as she tries to break free from the swaddle. Picking her up, I cradle her against my chest and kiss the top of her head, praying for strength and the hope I can keep it together for a little longer.
JENSEN
Nessa changes Remi on autopilot, putting her in the matching leggings and snowman top she’d laid out this morning before handing my daughter to me.
“Stop looking at me like I’m gonna break.”
“I’m not.”
“Who’s lying now?” she sasses but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes.
“I know you want them to like you—and they do, trust me—but I want you to like them too,” I admit, bouncing Remi in my arms.
Nessa’s mouth opens and closes as she stares at me, like she can’t fathom why I’d ever utter the words.
“Your parents are wonderful.”
“And nice,” I add pointedly. “We’re not like the people you’re used to. We’re not flashy here. Some lack a certain finesse but can work the hell out of a tractor, and others pride themselves on whipping up a home-cooked meal to feed everyone in town,” I say more animatedly than I intended.
“Did you think I’d be rude? Be a bitch because of the life I have in Nashville?”
“No, I’m just sayin’ you were worried if they’d like you and I was worried if you’d like them,” I manage, gentling my voice and pressing my lips to hers in a soft kiss. “It’s a lot for everyone, and it’s okay to feel overwhelmed and unsure.”
I just want you to like it here—like us .
She goes in for another kiss, this one unhurried but thorough as she caresses her tongue against mine. Sighing, she pulls back, her body a little more relaxed as she straightens.
“Let’s go before your mama thinks we escaped out an open window.”
I chuckle but she’s right.
“Are you ready?”
“Yeah, but later you’re making me some peanut butter hard rolls,” she says as she pushes me toward the door. “And don’t even make the face; you know you liked them too.”
“I don’t hate them, but I wouldn’t be devastated if I never had one again.”
She gasps and I laugh as we walk into the living room, Mama popping up off the couch as her hand flies up to cover her mouth.
“Oh, Jensen, she’s beautiful.”
“Mama, this is Remi Maeve.”
My heart is in my throat as I pass my daughter to her waiting arms, the raw emotion of the moment so unexpected I can barely breathe.
“I’ll go make her bottle,” Nessa says quietly, squeezing my hand before moving toward the kitchen.
“Congratulations, son,” my father says gruffly, his gaze holding mine a beat before moving to Remi, and a smile splits his cheeks as he stares at his granddaughter.
“Mimi loves you, yes,” Mama says in a singsong voice, as she bounces Remi on her hip, “so very much.”
“Come to PawPaw, darlin’.” My father beams, scooping Remi up from my mother and taking the bottle from Nessa. He settles himself on the couch, talking to her in low soothing tones, her eyes fixed on him and her little hands wrapped around his where he holds the bottle.
“Your daddy always was a pushover when it came to your sister,” Mama muses, a smirk playing on her lips.
“What do you mean was? ” I goad, holding back my laugh.
“Just you wait,” my father says without taking his eyes off Remi. “You’ll be no different.”
“No waiting necessary,” Nessa chimes in from Mama’s other side.
“Hey!” I reply with faux indignation.
“You got her a puppy and she didn’t even need to ask for one.” Nessa’s eyes sparkle like she knows we’ll be addressing her sass later.
And we will because after tonight, I have a feeling we’ll both need it.