29. Adam
29
ADAM
I stand in the kitchen, watching Destiny expertly navigate her way around. The aroma of seared salmon fills the air, mingling with the fresh scent of basil from the pesto.
"Need any help?" I ask, leaning against the counter.
She glances over her shoulder, a smile playing on her lips. "I've got it under control. But you could open that bottle of wine."
I grab the corkscrew and get to work. "So, tell me about these friends of yours. Jackie and Barrett, right? He is, was, your lawyer, if I'm not mistaken."
She nods. "They're amazing," she says, flipping the salmon with practiced ease. "Barrett may have been my lawyer, but he and Jackie became so much more than that. They were my rock this past year."
I nod, pouring two glasses of wine. "And now I get to thank them for taking care of my girls."
Destiny pauses, her eyes meeting mine. "Adam, I?—"
The doorbell interrupts her. I set down the wine and head for the door. "I'll get it. You focus on not burning my favorite meal."
"As if I would," she calls after me, laughing.
I swing the door open and I’m greeted by Jackie and Barrett's smiling faces, their kids in tow.
Barrett extends his hand. "Adam, it's good to finally meet you properly."
I shake his hand firmly. "Likewise. Come in, please."
They step inside and I catch Jackie eyeing me curiously. "So, you're the man who's had our Destiny in such a tizzy these past two weeks."
I can't help but grin. "Guilty as charged. Though I'd say she's had me in quite the state as well."
Barrett chuckles. "I can imagine. It's been quite the journey for all of us."
"That is true. Welcome to our humble abode," I say, ushering them in. "Hope you're hungry. Destiny's been cooking up a storm."
Barrett chuckles. "Wouldn't miss it for the world. The smell alone is worth the drive."
Destiny emerges from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a towel. Her face lights up when she sees our guests. She hugs them both, and I notice the easy familiarity between them. It's clear these people mean a lot to her.
"Dinner's almost ready," she announces. "Adam, could you check on Avery? She should be waking up from her nap soon."
I nod, heading upstairs to the nursery. As I reach the top of the stairs, I hear Jackie's voice drift up.
"So, how are you two settling in? Everything going okay?"
I pause, curious to hear Destiny's response.
"It's... perfect," she says, her voice soft but sure. "I can't believe we wasted so much time apart."
When we make our way to the dining room, Avery' draws Jackie and Marionette's attention like moths to a flame. They're at her side in an instant, cooing and fawning over her.
"Oh my goodness, look at those cheeks!" Jackie gushes, tickling Avery's chin.
Marionette leans in, her eyes wide with wonder. "Can I hold her, please?"
Destiny laughs, carefully transferring Avery to Marionette's arms. "Of course, honey. I know you can handle her just fine."
I can't help but smile at the scene. "Ladies, I hate to interrupt this love fest, but the food's getting cold."
Jackie looks up, seemingly remembering why we're here. "Oh! Right, dinner. Sorry, Adam. It's just... she's so precious."
"No worries," I say, guiding everyone to their seats. "I get it. She takes after her old man, after all."
The table erupts in laughter, and I catch Destiny rolling her eyes playfully.
We dig into our meal with the conversation flowing easily.
After dinner, I stand on the back porch, leaning against the railing with a glass of whiskey in hand. Jackie and Barrett join me, each holding their own drinks.
"So, Adam," Barrett starts, his tone casual but his eyes sharp. "How's it feel to be back in the family game?"
I take a sip of my drink, savoring the burn. "Feels damn good. Should've never left it."
Destiny steps closer, her arm brushing against mine. "We both made mistakes," she says softly.
"Yeah, well, some bigger than others," I reply, giving her a pointed look. She winces, but I squeeze her hand to soften the blow.
Jackie chuckles, breaking the tension. "You two are something else. One minute at each other's throats, the next... well, let's just say I'm glad the kids are inside."
"Speaking of kids," Barrett interjects, "how's Avery adjusting to all this?"
I shrug. "She's three months old. Her biggest concern is when her next meal's coming."
"Trust me," Jackie says, "that won't last. Before you know it, she'll be running circles around you both."
"Like Mimi?" Destiny asks, a smile in her voice.
Barrett groans. "Don't remind me. I swear, that kid's got more energy than a nuclear reactor."
"You know," I say, turning to Barrett, "I never properly thanked you for looking out for Destiny and Avery."
Barrett waves his hand dismissively. "No need. It's what friends do."
"Still," I insist, "I owe you one. Both of you," I add, nodding at Jackie.
"Well," Jackie says with a mischievous glint in her eye, "you could always babysit Mimi for a weekend. Give us a little break."
I laugh. "Nice try. I think I'll stick to my own kid for now."
Jackie pretends to be disappointed, and everyone chuckles, the atmosphere of the night becoming even lighter.
"Alright, folks," I announce, grabbing a bottle of tropical coconut rum. "Who's ready for some real drinks?"
Barrett smirks, settling into one of the Adirondack chairs. "Pour me a double, Adam. I've earned it after dealing with your stubborn ass in court."
I grin, filling his glass generously. "Careful there, counselor. I might just hire you full-time to keep you in line."
Jackie rolls her eyes, accepting a glass of wine from Destiny. "Please don't. I'd like to keep my husband, thank you very much."
Destiny leans against the porch railing, nursing her own glass of wine. "Don't worry, Jackie. Adam's bark is worse than his bite."
I raise an eyebrow at her. "Is that so? I seem to recall you enjoying my bite quite a bit, Mrs. Ryder."
She nearly chokes on her wine, and I can't help but grin. God, I've missed this banter.
"So," Jackie interjects, clearly trying to change the subject. "How's it feel to be back together? I mean, after everything..."
I glance at Destiny, catching her eye. There's a moment of understanding between us before I answer. "It feels right. Like we've finally found our way back home."
Barrett nods, swirling his whiskey. "I gotta say, when Destiny first walked into my office, I never thought we'd end up here. But I'm damn glad we did."
As the evening progresses, I find myself watching Destiny. She's laughing at something Jackie said, her dark skin shining beautifully in the moonlight. I'm struck by how beautiful she is, how much I've missed her.
"Earth to Adam," Barrett's voice cuts through my thoughts. "You still with us, man?"
I blink, realizing I've been caught staring. "Just admiring the view," I say, not taking my eyes off Destiny.
She meets my gaze, a slow smile spreading across her face. "Smooth talker," she murmurs, but I can see the flush creeping up her neck.
"Always," I wink.
We settle back into easy conversation and I can't help but feel grateful for this moment.
"So, counselor," I say, leaning back in my chair. "Ready to admit you missed going toe-to-toe with me in court?"
Barrett chuckles, shaking his head. "I'd sooner admit to enjoying root canals, Ryder."
We share a laugh, the tension from our past encounters melting away. Barrett takes a sip of his drink, his expression turning serious.
"You know, Adam, I gotta be honest. When Destiny first told me you two had made up, I was worried as hell."
I raise an eyebrow, my grip tightening slightly on my glass. "Oh yeah? Afraid I'd corrupt your star client?"
"More like afraid you'd break her heart again," he says, his tone matter-of-fact. "But seeing you two together... it's clear how much you love each other."
I nod. "She's everything to me. Always has been."
"I can see that now," he admits. "And I gotta say, I'm happy for her. For both of you."
I raise my glass in a toast. "To new beginnings and unlikely friendships?"
Barrett clinks his glass against mine. "I'll drink to that. You know, you're not half bad, Ryder. When you're not being a pain in my ass in court, that is."
"Don't go soft on me now," I tease.
We both laugh, the sound carrying across the porch.
I lean back in my chair, nursing my whiskey as I watch Destiny and Jackie chatting animatedly. The soft glow of the porch lights illuminates Destiny's face, highlighting her radiant smile.
As I observe her, a thought crystallizes in my mind.
I want to propose. Again.
It might seem ridiculous, considering we're technically still married, but it feels right. We've been through hell and back, and now we're stronger for it. This is our fresh start, our second chance at forever.
"What's got you looking so serious?" Barrett asks, nudging my arm.
I smirk, not taking my eyes off Destiny. "Just thinking about how lucky I am."
"Careful there, Ryder. Your soft side is showing," he chuckles.
"Don't worry," I reply, downing the rest of my whiskey. "I've got plenty of hard edges left."
The conversation drifts on, but my mind is already racing with plans. I want this proposal to be perfect, meaningful. Something that shows Destiny how much she means to me, how committed I am to our future together.
As the night winds down, I stand up, stretching. "Alright, folks. As much as I'd love to keep drinking Barrett under the table, I think it's time we called it a night."
Jackie laughs, getting to her feet. "Good call. I don't think my husband could take much more of your 'hospitality'."
We all start making our way inside, the chilling night air nipping at our heels. I fall into step beside Destiny, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her close.
"You good?" she asks, looking up at me with those big brown eyes.
I nod, planting a kiss on her forehead. "Never better."