Chapter 11 #2
After they ate in silence for a few more minutes, Deacon said, “Let’s talk about the guy that stole from you and how we’re going to get your money back.”
“I like him for Julia,” Sarah said as she and Charlie emerged into warm sunshine on the hotel’s front porch. They’d spent time with each of her children before they were due to take the ferry back to their real lives and had the rest of the day free to spend together.
“He seems like a very nice young man.”
“If he’s anything like his brother, she’d be very lucky to have him in her life.”
Charlie put his arm around her and brought her in close to him, where she fit perfectly in the shelter of his muscular body. “Do I need to be concerned about this crush you seem to have on Blaine Taylor?”
Sarah giggled like a girl. She did that a lot around him. “Don’t be silly. I’m old enough to be his mother.”
“That doesn’t mean anything in this day and age.”
“Blaine was a very good friend to me when I desperately needed one, and he’ll always have a special place in my heart. But as you know, most of my heart belongs only to you.”
“I know, babe.”
“Today was so great, wasn’t it?”
“One of the best days of my life. If you’d asked me a couple years ago if I’d ever get married again, I would’ve said no freaking way.”
“Me, too. Last thing I thought I’d ever want to do again.” Her first marriage had been a complete nightmare from start to finish, except for the seven beautiful children who had come from it. Thank God for them.
“But along came my sweet, sexy Sarah, and suddenly, the only thing I wanted was a ring on my finger and promises of forever with you.”
He made her feel things she never had before. “I want everyone we love to be as happy as we are.”
“I do, too, but today, on our day, I think we need to focus on our happiness.” As he spoke, he directed them toward his truck, which was parked in the lot behind the hotel.
“And how would you like to do that?”
He held the passenger door for her and waited for her to get settled. “First of all, I’d like to go home for a while to be alone with my wife.”
“Your wife would like that very much.”
“After that? We can do whatever we want. Anything at all. Every day. Forever.”
“I can’t think of anything better than that.”
He leaned in to kiss her. “Neither can I.”
Kevin had forgotten how all-consuming caring for a new infant could be.
In truth, he’d never really known how all-consuming it was the first time around because his wife had done most of the heavy lifting.
Everything was different now. He was older, wiser and well aware of how precious this time was with his baby daughter.
He had a daughter.
The thrill of saying that word continued the day after Summer’s early arrival.
Chelsea had wanted to come home as soon as possible, and when David declared mother and daughter good to go, Kevin had brought them home first thing that morning.
Victoria would be by to check on them later, but otherwise, they were on their own with their little bundle of joy.
Chelsea was still wiped out from the delivery, and other than waking up to breastfeed the baby, she’d been sleeping a lot.
Which meant Kevin was on duty with his little angel, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.
His brothers had been by the clinic to visit earlier and had promised to check on them later.
Kevin had received a text from Katie asking him to please fit her sister Julia into his schedule as soon as possible. He planned to reach out to Julia when Chelsea was awake again. There was no way Katie would’ve asked for his assistance right now unless it was badly needed.
The screen door opened with a telltale squeak that had Kevin turning to see who was there. He smiled at Finn and Chloe as they tiptoed into the house.
“We weren’t sure if it was okay to come by,” Finn whispered, gazing at the baby sleeping in his father’s arms.
“Of course it is.” Kevin carefully transferred the baby to her brother, who took her into his arms with a look of pure awe.
“Are you sure I should be holding her?” Finn asked. “She’s so little. I’m afraid I’ll break her.”
“She won’t break,” Kevin assured him, amused by Finn’s reaction to her.
Finn sat on the sofa, and Chloe perched next to him, both of them completely focused on the baby.
“How’s Chelsea?” Chloe asked.
“Tired, but she’s doing great.”
“And you?” Finn glanced at Kevin. “How’re you holding up?”
“I’m tired, too, but it’s the best kind of tired. She’s a doll.”
“I can’t believe I have a sister. It’s so cool.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Of course I do. She’s awesome. Riley and I are going to spoil her rotten. We’ve already got a puppy picked out for her.”
“No puppies until she’s at least three, you hear me?”
“We’ll see about that.”
“What’re you two up to today?”
“Going to the official grand opening of the Wayfarer,” Finn said. “From what Riley told me, things are crazy over there. Nikki worked all night to get ready.”
“I’m sure she’ll be glad to get the grand opening behind them,” Kevin said.
Finn nodded in agreement. “They both will. She’s been so insanely busy that poor Riley is feeling neglected.”
Chloe rolled her eyes. “Poor Riley. Whatever. Nikki is a master multitasker. I’m sure he’s not suffering too badly.”
“Do you guys mind if I grab a quick shower while you’re here?” Kevin asked.
Finn’s eyes bugged. “You mean leave her alone with us?”
Kevin laughed. “Just for a minute. I promise.”
“We got it,” Chloe said. “Go ahead, Kev.”
“I ain’t got it,” Finn said. “Not even kinda.”
“You will,” Kevin assured his son. “Before long, it’ll be routine to have a little one around.
It’ll be good training for when you have kids of your own.
” With both his “boys” settling into committed relationships in recent months, Kevin knew it probably wouldn’t be long before he added grandfather to his list of titles.
As he took a quick shower and shaved the scruff off his face, he marveled at how his whole life had changed in the last couple of years. Had he expected to be newly married with a new baby at nearly fifty-three? Hell no, but the joy Chelsea and now Summer brought to his life was immeasurable.
After he was dressed, he took a minute to text Katie’s sister Julia, asking when she might be available to get together. He’d planned to take a few weeks off from work to be with Chelsea and the baby, but he would squeeze Julia in, even if she had to come to the house.
When he rejoined Finn and Chloe in the living room, he found that Chloe was holding the baby while Finn watched over them. Finn was madly in love with Chloe and had recently moved into her place. He expected to hear they were engaged any time now.
Riley and Nikki were already engaged and planning a fall wedding at the Chesterfield.
Things had fallen into place for all of them since he and his sons came to Gansett Island for Kevin’s niece Laura’s wedding two summers ago and decided to stay for a while.
Spending time on the island had helped to heal the wounds from the unexpected end of Kevin’s marriage and had led him to a new, unexpected love with Chelsea.
And now they had a daughter, and his sons had a sister.
If a heart could overflow with love, Kevin’s was at the tipping point.
“Why’s he looking at us like that?” Finn asked Chloe.
“I suspect he’s overwhelmed by everything that’s happened in the last few days.”
“You suspect correctly,” Kevin said, sitting across from them.
“She sure is beautiful,” Chloe said.
Kevin thought Summer was the most beautiful baby girl he’d ever seen. “Thank you. We think so, too.”
Chloe got up and carefully transferred the sleeping baby back to Kevin’s arms. “I’m going to need to see her again very soon.”
“Any time you want. We’re here, and the company is always welcome.”
Chloe kissed his cheek. “Congrats again, Kev. She’s a stunner.”
“Thankfully, she looks just like her mother.”
Finn smiled as he bent to kiss the baby’s forehead. “I see you in her, too, Dad. We’ll be back soon.”
“Tell Nikki that Chelsea and I said good luck today.”
“We will.”
After they left, Kevin went into the bedroom to check on Chelsea, who was just stirring from a long nap. She opened her eyes and looked at him, her smile lighting up her face.
“There’re my two favorite people. How is she?”
“She’s delightful. She just had a nice visit with her brother Finn and Chloe. They’re absolutely smitten.”
“Of course they are. Who wouldn’t be?” She sat up and grimaced as she tried to find a comfortable position. Then she reached for the baby.
Seeing the two of them together, Kevin realized that even though he was sleep-deprived and loopy, he was also happier than he’d been in a very long time.
Since meeting Chelsea, he’d come to realize how much he’d missed out on by staying in a bad marriage for far too long.
Now he understood there was a huge difference between existing and truly living.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked Chelsea.
She looked up at him, eyes brimming with emotion and unshed tears. “You’ve already given me everything I ever wanted and then some.”
Kevin leaned in to kiss her and then leaned his forehead against hers as they gazed down at the wonder they’d created together.