Chapter 40
THE brEAKFAST CLUB
NATALIE
The next morning, with the sun creeping in, I turned to face Will, who was still sleeping peacefully. His long lashes rested against his cheekbones, making him look serene, almost tranquil.
I decided to surprise him with breakfast in bed. Carefully, I slipped out from under the covers, trying not to wake him. After brushing my teeth and washing my face, I tiptoed back through the room, only to hear his sleepy voice.
“Hey, pretty girl. Where do you think you’re going?”
I walked over to the bed, leaning down to kiss him softly. “To make you breakfast,” I said with a smile.
“Not so fast,” he murmured, pulling me back onto the bed. I giggled as I landed against his chest.
Will laughed. “I should probably get up and brush my teeth, too, you’re the teeth police,” he said, though he made no move to leave.
I silenced his protest with a kiss, morning breath be damned.
My lips trailed down his chest, then further over the ridges of his stomach, until I reached him.
He drew in a sharp breath, his hands running through my hair as I took him into my mouth.
The teasing was gone, replaced by a low sound that made me want to give him everything, to see him unravel for me.
When I finally came back up, his expression was tender, completely undone, as if I’d given him more than he knew how to hold.
“Good morning,” I said.
“I’ll say,” he replied, his voice warm. “Breakfast in bed, huh? I think I could get used to Saturdays at the Bradfords.”
By the time we both got up, I headed downstairs, expecting to start breakfast, only to find the coffee already brewing and the smell of bacon and eggs filling the air.
Evan and Meredith were in the kitchen, cooking together.
Meredith, wrapped in a robe, looked much better than she had the day before, and Evan looked just as refreshed. Were they… acting like a couple?
“Morning, you two,” I said, pouring myself a cup of coffee.
I grabbed another for Will and started putting together a breakfast tray—a tray we’d only ever used once before, years ago, on a Mother’s Day when Bebe insisted on making me breakfast. That morning, I’d been served soggy cereal, burnt toast, and two sweet cards that made it all worth it.
As I thought about that memory, I wondered about the future. Would Will help my kids make breakfast someday? Was I thinking too far ahead? Or was it time to think about these things?
I pushed the thoughts aside and focused on the present, arranging our breakfast on the tray and adding a small vase of flowers for a nice touch.
“Breakfast in bed?” Meredith asked, her tone teasing.
“What time do I need to get you to the airport?” I asked, changing the subject.
“I can Uber, sweetie.”
“Or I could take you,” Evan chimed in. “I’ll borrow Will’s car.”
“I’ll take you, Meredith,” I insisted.
“Okay, guys, no need to fight over me,” Meredith said with a laugh.
I told her to just text me what she wanted to do as I headed back upstairs with the tray.
When I entered the room, Will was sitting up, scrolling through something on his phone.
“Wow,” he said, smiling. “This looks amazing. I don’t think anyone’s ever done this for me before.”
“Only once for me,” I replied.
“Well,” he said, “let’s make a pact: we’ll take turns making each other breakfast in bed.”
“I can live with that,” I said, sitting beside him.
We ate leisurely, laughing and talking. At one point, he asked, “So, tell me, what else do you love? What do you hate? What do you need from me?”
“Wow,” I said, laughing. “You’re really laying it on thick, Parker.”
“I mean it. You weren’t appreciated before, and I don’t want to make that same mistake. I want to know what you want, what you need, how we make this work.”
I paused, thoughtful. “I guess I haven’t thought that far ahead,” I admitted. “But I do like having my own space sometimes. And I think when the kids aren’t with us, that could be our time.”
Will nodded. “Makes sense. Bebe and Ivy already get along. Madison, though…well, she’s not a monster every day.
The boys all seem easy going if they can play some Nintendo or physical sports.
Madison will come around. This is worth it, Natalie.
What we have is worth figuring out the rocky stuff. Once we do, it’ll get easier.”
Before we could continue, my phone buzzed.
Meredith: Should we all drive to the airport? Evan wants to know if Will can drop him off after me.
I read the text aloud to Will.
“These two,” he said, shaking his head with a grin. “What are they up to?”
“I’ll text her back and let her know we’ll be down in thirty.”
Will got up to shower, and I couldn’t resist joining him. “No funny business, Bradford,” he teased, pulling me into a kiss.
We didn’t make it out of the shower quickly, but eventually, we got dressed and headed downstairs. Meredith looked effortlessly chic in her matching ALO set, while Evan, casual with Bear by his side, couldn’t stop glancing her way.
When we arrived at John Wayne Airport, Evan grabbed Meredith’s luggage, and Will gave her a hug.
“Be good to my sister,” she teased him.
“You know I will,” he replied with a smile.
I hugged her tightly. “Thank you,” I whispered. “I’ll see you in two weeks for Christmas.”
Meredith nodded, her eyes glistening. “I can’t wait, wherever you are, you are my home.”
I hugged her tight one last time.
Just before she walked away, Evan surprised us all by dipping her slightly and giving her a romantic kiss.
Once Meredith was on her way, we dropped Evan off and had time to ourselves.
“How about lunch and a walk on the beach?” Will suggested. “Have you been to Beachcomber Café?”
“I love that place,” I said.
“Perfect. Let’s go.”