39
Beckett
T wo days later, Bobby and Natalie are on their way into town from New York, taking the same route we did with the company jet to Redland, before driving to Upwood.
Selah spent the entire time I was working fussing over what to wear, cleaning the rental cabin, and prepping for a special dinner she wanted to host for them in the evening. We invited Evy and Rockwell to join us for dinner as well tonight, so she really wants everything to be perfect for everyone.
I watch her hustling around the kitchen now as we wait for them to arrive, wearing an apron over her dress, her hair brushed up into a tight bun on top of her head.
I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her waist, resting my head on top of hers. “Angel,” I coo, kissing her head. “Stop stressing yourself out over this dinner. I already told you that Bobby and his wife will love you. How could they not?”
She sets down the plate in her hands, turning around and looking up at me before letting out a heavy breath. “I just want to make a great first impression. He’s your best friend,” she responds, the corner of her mouth lifting. “I know you don’t really care much about first impressions with people considering the dinner we had with my mom the other night, but I do.”
I laugh, pinching her on her butt, and she wiggles away from me. “Very funny. Just trust me, sweetheart, ok? Now, I’ve set the table, and we are done making all of the things you wanted,” I say, untying her apron and pulling it off of her. “Come and sit here at the island and have some water. You need to settle your mind a bit.”
She pouts her pretty lips, reluctantly sitting down while I go to get her some water. I bring it back over to her and Edison comes sliding into the kitchen on his socks.
“Ms. Selah! Do you like my outfit?” he calls out, pulling down the bottom of his shirt for her to see it.
He’s wearing a short-sleeved polo shirt that is his favorite color, “Ninja Turtle green”, with some khaki shorts. He looks very nice, but there are some obvious small hints that he dressed himself, like the fact that the collar of his shirt is rolled inward, and his socks are mismatched colors.
“I love this outfit, Edi!” Selah gushes, unfurling his collar for him. “You look very handsome.”
“Thank you!” Edison exclaims, beaming up at her. “I want to look good for our guests. I even drew everyone pictures! There’s one for Uncle Bobby and Aunt Natalie, and one for Uncle Rocky and Aunt Evy too!”
I smile and watch him run off into the living room. He quickly returns holding up two pieces of paper. On one piece of paper there’s a picture of an airplane, and then a car driving up a mountain. The other picture is of two people standing outside of a house with smiles on their faces.
I smile looking over them, pulling him in against my side. He really has a talent for drawing that I’ve seen develop increasingly since I’ve met him. I have been trying to take more time lately to teach him little techniques to help him progress and hopefully advance his talent. Maybe one day he will be helping me do designs for Kade Technology.
“This is awesome, Edi. They are so colorful, and detailed. I bet everyone will love them,” I tell him.
“Thank you!” he chirps, smiling proudly.
The doorbell rings and Selah stands up quickly, smoothing down her dress. I squeeze Edison’s shoulder, “Edi, how about you go get Gana from her room. Let her know our guests are here,” I say.
He nods and takes off, and I thread my fingers through Selah’s, pulling her with me to the front door. I look down at her and give her a reassuring smile, and a quick kiss.
I open the door and we are greeted with Natalie and Bobby’s cheerful smiles. Natalie is all decked out in her usual head to toe sleek black designer attire, while Bobby looks like he just came from the office in his dress shirt and slacks.
I usher them inside, and we all exchange greetings, shaking hands and hugging.
“My goodness, you are so pretty!” Natalie exclaims in her sing-song voice, clasping Selah’s hands in hers. “ Isn’t she gorgeous , Bobby?”
Bobby rubs the back of his neck, glancing at me wearily like he’s afraid to answer. “Yes, Natalie.. I can see her. But I’m not looking too hard. I don’t need Beckett to gouge my eyeballs out,” he responds, taking Natalie by the waist and gently pulling her away. “Come here, you’re going to scare her away.”
Selah laughs, looking a little embarrassed, “Thank you Natalie. It’s so good to meet you both,” she says, as I come to wrap my arm around her shoulders.
“Beckett has told me so much about you, that I feel like we’ve already met,” Bobby says as we lead them into the living room.
“He’s told me a lot about both of you too. It’s so good to finally meet you in person,” Selah responds.
“Well, everything good he said is true, and all of the terrible things he said are blown way out of proportion. I swear,” Bobby jokes.
Selah laughs again, and I frown over at Bobby, not loving the way she is cracking up at all of his lame jokes. But at least she is less nervous than she was before they came, so I decide not to intervene.
For now.
Bobby and Natalie settle in on the couches and Edison comes into the living room with Gana. Gana gives Bobby and Natalie both a hug, happy to see them again. Edison gets a little shy when I introduce him to them, but they quickly help put him at ease by gushing over the drawing he made them.
A little bit later, Rockwell and Evy come over, and the house is full of chattering and the smell of delicious food. We all sit down for dinner and start a conversation while we share our meal.
I’m not surprised seeing how well Bobby gets along with everyone, he’s always been a people person, and if there’s one thing living in Upwood has taught me is that you can find some common ground with anyone, no matter where they are from.
After dinner and an amazing batch of chocolate chip, and oatmeal raisin cookies for dessert, Rockwell and Evy say their goodbyes, and get ready to head home. Evy is still on her pregnancy bedtime schedule that Rockwell has set for her, but she’s not very happy about it.
She argues with him at the door as he helps her put on her shoes, and ignores her protests. “You were practically falling asleep eating your cookies,” he grunts, standing up and taking her hand. “When you are too tired to finish eating dessert, I know for sure that it’s time to get you to bed.”
Evy rolls her eyes and I hear Selah stifling a laugh. “Goodnight you all. Thanks so much for everything,” Evy says, reluctantly shuffling to the door. “Let’s go have lunch next week, Selah!”
“Of course Ev! I’ll text you,” Selah responds, giving her another hug goodbye.
I close the door behind them, and pull Selah into a hug, brushing my thumbs over her cheeks. “I’m going to have a drink with Bobby and talk for a few. Will you be good without me for a while?” I ask.
She gives me a reassuring smile, “Of course, Beck. I’ll take everyone in the living room to hang out until you two finish.”
“Thank you, angel,” I say, then give her a kiss and go to find Bobby.
I bring him into the kitchen, then go open a cabinet. “I got your favorite Cognac from Charlestown,” I say, smiling as I take out two glasses and pour us both drinks. “I was shocked they had it there, honestly.”
“You’re too kind, brother,” he sighs happily, lifting his glass and clinking it against mine. “Maybe this place isn’t half bad after all.”
“Come on, let’s go out back,” I say, motioning for him to follow me.
We settle into two Adirondack chairs, and stare out at the yard and woods behind us. It is another peaceful night, and I never get over how calm and enchanting it is here. I only experienced an environment like this when my father would take us to upstate New York once or twice a year.
“So..have you been thinking about a date you want to come back? Natalie was telling me she has a contact at a school close to the office, and she can get you and Edison in for an interview,” Bobby says, drawing my attention over to him.
I set my glass down on the table between us, knowing it’s the perfect time to let him in on my thoughts. “Actually, I was going to ask you for the name of your real estate agent, man. I think I’m ready to put my penthouse on the market.”
He pauses with his glass halfway to his mouth, blinking at me for a moment before he begins to laugh. “I knew it! I could have predicted this weeks ago, but I was waiting for you to figure it out. Beckett Dillon Kade is truly in love,” he announces, holding his glass up to me before draining the rest of it.
I chuckle, shrugging my shoulder, “I am, Bobby. More than I ever thought was even possible,” I admit, my face turning serious again. “I mean, you know what kind of example of romantic love I had growing up. I just never thought that kind of love was actually attainable until I met Selah. I’m not going to risk losing her, and honestly, Edison is happy here too. He’s finally coming into his own, building really good friendships, and experiencing a positive childhood. This is just a better place to raise children.”
“ C-children ?” Bobby sputters, gawking over at me.
“Yes, as in multiple . Have you seen Selah?” I ask, and he pretends to zip his lips closed, making me laugh.
“I’m ready to make every commitment she needs, Bobby,” I say, feeling the decision settle into my soul. “There’s truly nothing I’ve ever wanted more than this. Not the collaboration with Global Games, not the Fortune 500 cover, not all of the accolades in the world could compare to the life I’ve started building here.”
Bobby sits quietly for a moment, the smile on his face fading as he nods at me. As happy as I am, I think we both understand that this means we won’t be as involved in each other’s everyday lives for the first time since we were boys.
He clears his throat, sitting forward in his chair. “Well, I’m happy for you, but the city won’t be the same without you, brother. Regardless, we will get everything figured out if this is what you really want. So just tell me, what’s the plan?”
My shoulders relax, relief filling me knowing that he understands and is ready to move forward with me, even if it’s not physically side-by-side anymore.
“The first step is to go over some things I need to change for work,” I respond, rubbing my hands together, the smile on my face growing. “And for the second step, I’m going to need Natalie’s help.”