23. A New Beginning
23
A NEW BEGINNING
KENZIE
I wake up wrapped in Everett's arms, his steady breathing a comforting rhythm against my back. Sunlight streams through the curtains, painting the room in a warm glow. For a moment, I bask in the peace of this moment, savoring the feeling of safety and love.
Then reality crashes in. My hand drifts to my stomach, holding our little secret. My heart races. How do I tell him? What if he freaks out?
"Mornin', beautiful," Everett's sleep-roughened voice rumbles against my ear. Then he kisses the back of my neck.
I turn in his arms, meeting those piercing blue eyes. "Hey there, handsome."
He leans in for a kiss, but I dodge, suddenly self- conscious about morning breath. He chuckles, pulling me closer.
"You okay?" he asks, brow furrowing. "You seem... tense."
I force a smile. "Just... processing everything, I guess."
It's not a lie, not really. But guilt gnaws at me for holding back the truth.
Everett nods, his expression softening. "Take all the time you need. I'm not going anywhere."
My heart swells at his words, even as anxiety churns in my gut. I need to tell him. Soon .
We get up, falling into an easy morning routine. It's strange how quickly this has become normal—making coffee together, Everett setting out cereal for the girls while I pack their lunches. It feels like home in a way I never expected.
As we sit down to breakfast, waiting for the girls to come down, the words bubble up inside me, demanding to be spoken. I can't hold it in any longer.
"Everett, I..." I start, then falter. How do you drop a bombshell like this over Cheerios?
He sets down his coffee mug, giving me his full attention. "What is it, Kenz?"
I take a deep breath, steeling myself. "I'm pregnant."
The words hang in the air between us. Everett's face goes blank, and my stomach drops. Oh God, he hates this. He's gonna kick me out. I've ruined everything.
Then, slowly, a smile spreads across his face. It's like watching the sun come out from behind a cloud, warming me from the inside out.
"You're... we're having a baby?" he asks, his voice filled with wonder.
I nod, tears pricking at my eyes. "Yeah. We are."
I feel a surge of emotions threaten to spill over. I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts.
"Everett, about the rumor with Ian?—"
"I know," he says, his voice low and steady. "I heard, and you don't need to explain."
A sense of relief washes over me, but the nagging fear still lingers. I clasp my hands tightly, my fingers fidgeting despite my efforts to stay still, a quiet tension settling in as I keep my gaze low.
"I'm sorry you had to deal with that."
Everett's brow furrows with concern. "How are you feeling, Kenzie? I mean, really feeling?"
I hesitate for a moment and look into his eyes. "It's been tough. The nausea is getting to me, especially in the mornings. I thought it was just nerves at first, but it’s like my stomach has a mind of its own." I bite my lip, unsure if I should share more.
Everett reaches out, brushing his thumb along my cheek. "What about the morning sickness? Is it bad?"
"Yeah, every time I think I’m okay, it comes back to remind me that I’m not. It feels like a constant reminder that things are changing, and I just..." I pause, searching his face for reassurance. "It's overwhelming."
"How does that make you feel?"
I take a moment to gather my thoughts as he watches me closely.
"Honestly? A little helpless," I admit. "I never expected to be in this position, and it scares me. But at the same time, there's a flicker of hope buried in there, too. I want this, Everett. I really do."
He nods, fully absorbing my words, his grip on me tightening as if to bolster my courage. "You're going to be an incredible mom, Kenzie. And the girls are going to lose their minds."
We chuckle. The warmth in his eyes makes me believe him. Then Everett's out of his chair in an instant, pulling me into his arms. He lifts me off my feet, spinning us around the kitchen.
"Kenzie, this is... God, I can't even find the words," he says, setting me down gently. His hands cup my face, thumbs brushing away tears I didn't realize had fallen. "I love you so much."
Relief washes over me, leaving me lightheaded. "I love you too," I whisper.
He kisses me, soft and sweet and full of promise. When we break apart, I see a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes.
"There's something I need to tell you,” he says. "About the girls, and... my past."
I nod and wait. It seems I'm not the only one with a secret.
Everett takes a deep breath, and I hold his hand tight. There's nothing we can't overcome.
"Jillian and I... we weren't in a good place when she got pregnant," he starts. "She'd been on a mission, and... well, the girls aren't biologically mine."
My eyes widen, but I stay silent, letting him speak.
"Their birth father died on that mission. Jillian was a mess. She couldn't handle being a mother, so I stepped up. Adopted them at birth." His voice cracks slightly. "They're my girls in every way that matters."
I squeeze his hand. "Of course they are. You're an amazing father, Everett."
My heart aches for him, for the girls. I think of my own mother and how her absence left scars that still haven't fully healed.
"I'm so sorry," I whisper.
Everett shakes his head. "Don't be. It led me here, to you. Kenzie, you've made this house a home. The girls adore you. And I... I can't imagine my life without you in it."
Tears blur my vision. "Everett..."
"The last couple of weeks have been rocky, but I want you to stay," he says, voice low and intense. "Not just for now, not just because of the baby. I want to spend the rest of my days with you, building a life together. If you'll have me."
"Yes," I breathe. My heart feels like it might burst.
We come together in a kiss that's equal parts passion and tenderness. When we break apart, we're both breathing heavily.
"Bedroom?" Everett growls.
I grin, feeling bold. "Race you there."
We stumble up the stairs, laughing and stealing kisses along the way. As soon as the bedroom door closes behind us, Everett's lips are on mine, hungry and demanding.
I melt into him, reveling in the feel of his strong arms around me. His hands roam my body, leaving trails of fire in their wake. I tug at his shirt, desperate to feel skin on skin.
We undress each other slowly, savoring every touch, every kiss. When Everett lays me down on the bed, his gaze is full of reverence.
"You're so beautiful," he murmurs, pressing kisses along my collarbone .
I arch into him, craving more. "Please, Everett. I need you."
He enters me slowly, our bodies joining as one. We move together, finding a rhythm that's our own. Every touch, every kiss is charged with emotion.
What are the chances that I run almost two thousand miles away to find him ?
As we reach our peak together, I feel complete in a way I never have before. Everett collapses beside me, pulling me close.
"I love you," he whispers against my hair.
"I love you too," I reply, snuggling into his warmth.
My mind drifts to the future—our future. A life in Silver Ridge, raising the girls and our baby together. It's more than I ever dared to dream of.
"What are you thinking about?" Everett asks, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin.
I smile up at him. "Our life together. The house, the kids, all of it."
His eyes crinkle at the corners. "Sounds perfect."
"It does, doesn't it?" I say, marveling at how right this feels. "I never thought I'd have this, you know? A real family, a place to belong."
Everett's arms tighten around me. "You belong here, Kenzie. With me, with the girls. This is your home now."
Tears prick at my eyes. "Thank you," I whisper. "For loving me, for giving me a chance."
He kisses my forehead. "Thank you for staying. For making us whole."
We spend the rest of the morning talking about our future. Baby names, nursery ideas, plans for the house. It's surreal and wonderful all at once.
I stare out the window, looking out at the beautiful Montana landscape. I feel a sense of peace settles over me. This is where I'm meant to be. This is home.
We lay there in comfortable silence, almost asleep, until I hear…
"Miss Kenzie! We're hungry!"
Everett and I stare at each other and bust out laughing.
"I'll get them." Everett stands and quickly dresses. But before he leaves, he doubles back and kisses me with his hands resting protectively over my stomach.
"Ready for this adventure?"
I smile. "With you? Always."