Can't Let Go

  “Nice to see you, too,” I call out to the five of them walking into the house.

  “Hi, Trey. Hi, Kailey.” They wave to us, opening their front door.

  Kailey and I grab the bags, laughing on our way in. “How about we sneak to the tree house tonight?” I whisper in her ear and a flush rises up her neck.

  “Do you think your parents would mind?” she questions, and I stare directly at her.

  “I think they’d prefer it,” I joke and my eyes lingering on her.

  “Well then, I’d love to.” She seductively licks her lips and bites her bottom one, knowing exactly what that does to me.

  “Be careful, two can play that game,” I remind her.

  “You know I’m always game.” She starts walking faster to the door.

  “You do remember that I always catch you,” I call out, and she turns around.

  “Catch me now.” She drops her bags and jumps into my arms. My own bags fall to the cement driveway, and my hands grab her ass immediately. “What is it about your parents’ house that has me not being able to keep my hands off you?” she asks right before my mouth smashes against hers. I’m not sure my body will win the fight until we make it to the tree house, because with three kids in the house, it isn’t often she can scream my name when I make her come.

  After too short of a kiss, I pull back. “I don’t know, but I might have to move us all here.” I kiss her again, and she sneaks her tongue into my mouth. I’m not about to deny her, so I mingle mine with hers and her hands find the back of my hairline. Since I’ve grown it out a little, she loves tugging at the strands a little now.

  Eventually, we make our way into the house and place the bags in the designated rooms. We have dinner with my parents while Kailey’s giving baths, I give my mom the last of the directions in regards to what needs to be prepared for tomorrow.

  “Oh, it’s so romantic. I’m so happy for you,” my mom fawns over me, hugging and kissing my cheek.

  “Okay, they’re all bathed and ready for their songs and bed time story.” Kailey comes in and notices my moms face. “Elena, what’s the matter? Why are you crying?” She rushes over to her side and places her hand on my mom’s shoulder.

  “Nothing, Kailey. Trey was telling me a story about the kids. You know these menopause hormones have my emotions everywhere,” she lies.

  “Oh, I’ve heard about that and the hormone replacements—” Kailey begins to chime in.

  “And that’s my cue to leave,” I say, walking out of the room.

  My dad and I read a few stories, and I sing lullabies. Although Chloe has her own, the others wanted ones of their own too. Tara and Drew prefer the typical twinkle, twinkle little star and traditional lullabies, but I’m working on finding songs that fit them as well.

  When I make my way downstairs, I grab the duffle bag my mom packed me, double checking the ring is tucked inside the zipped pocket. Swinging it over my shoulders, I go in search of my girl. She’s talking with my mom when I step into the kitchen. The sight of them laughing and carrying on makes my heart swell that much more for her.

  “You ready?” I call out, and Kailey immediately stands up.

  “Yep,” she says, smiling widely and then turns to my mom. “Are you sure you don’t mind?” she asks.

  “Not at all. You guys go have fun. We’ll be fine.” She ushers us out. My parents come up to Western all the time, and we come out here pretty often, so the kids are comfortable with them, and since Chloe’s nightmares have been subsiding there shouldn’t be any problems.

  “I’ll have my phone—”

  “GO!” My mom motions for us to leave.

  I enter the garage code and head over to the key box. “Green Monster?” I ask her.

  “My favorite.” She hops on the back.

  We make the ride to the tree house with Kailey’s body pressed against mine while her fingers roam up my shirt. I may have made it in record time with the eagerness of having her naked in my arms and me being buried inside of her.

  We climb the stairs, groping and grabbing each other while sneaking kisses at each landing. Once we get inside, I lay down the blanket, but see someone has been here before me. There are rose petals strewn across the wooden floor with two candle sticks ready to be lit next to a dish containing an assortment of small cakes and strawberries. There’s a sign taped to a switch. It reads ‘Turn on here’, so I flip the switch and hundreds of twinkle lights shine throughout the tree house.

  “Trey!” she exclaims while placing her hand over her chest.

  “It wasn’t me,” I admit. I didn’t ask anyone to do this, but it’s going to make this that much better!

  She rushes over and sits down perusing the different cakes while I fumble around in the bag. “Oh my God, this strawberry one is so good,” she mumbles as cake crumbs fall from her mouth, but she catches them in her hand.

  She looks adorable, and I can’t wait anymore. I don’t want to waste our night with the pit of my stomach in knots. I want to know she’s agreed to be mine, so we can lazily lie on this blanket, making love all night while feeding each other cake and strawberries. So, without much thought, I pull the ring out from the box and hold it tight in my hand.

  Walking over, I take a seat next to her, and she feeds me part of the strawberry one. “Um … that is good. Did you try the others?” I attempt to distract her. She turns back to the plate and her head bobs back and forth, trying to decide on which one to try next. Using one hand, I turn her face toward me and distract her with a long, hard kiss while I prop the ring in one of the cakes. My heart races with excitement for what I’m about to do.

  “Mmmm, you taste delicious. Maybe I should pick the next one.” We both look down at the selection of cakes, but one stands out now.

  “How about that one?” I say, and her shaking hand picks up the diamond solitaire settled in white gold. She turns toward me and wetness glosses over her green gems of eyes.

  “Kailey, please take me as your husband. I can promise you I’ll never give up trying to give you anything your heart desires. I know I’ll never stop loving you. You said whenever I was ready, I’m ready. What do you say, let’s take the next step in our happily ever after?” I take the ring from her hand and place it at the tip of her left ring finger.

  She nods as tears fall down her cheeks. “Yes,” she whispers, and I slide the ring onto her finger.

  “Thank you for trusting me with your heart,” I say, cupping her cheeks with my hands. I wipe the tears from her eyes with my thumbs, excited to take this next step with her.“Thank you for accepting it,” she stutters and more tears escape.

  “I never had a choice. It’s only meant for me, just took me a while to find it.”

  “I love you, Trey,” she whispers.

  “I love you the very soon-to-be Mrs. Trey Michaels.” I end the talking because I need her now.

  We kiss and soon clothes are being taken off. I make love to my soon-to-be wife numerous times, cherishing her body and trying to convey how much it means to me that she’s trusting me with her future.

  THE NEXT MORNING, I let Kailey sleep a little while I text instructions to everyone under the sun. I glance at the plate of cakes, noticing all the strawberry ones are gone. Popping a vanilla one in my mouth, my fingers continue to type away. Today has to be a surprise, otherwise this was all for naught.

  Kailey stirs, and I shove my phone in my bag, finding my way over to her. Kissing her forehead, I cozy up next her, and she nuzzles into me. “Good morning, beautiful,” I say, and she kisses my cheek.

  “Good morning, handsome,” she groggily responds. “I really hope your parents can help us with the kids today because you wore me out last night.” She wraps her arms around me, and the warmth spreads from our naked bodies.

  “Oh, I’m sure you’ll have some relaxation time today,” I slyly say. “So, I have another question for you,” I say while my fingers gently move up and down her arm.

  “No, Chloe cannot get r
ollerblades,” she jokes, since it’s been the argument around the house for a few weeks now.

  Ignoring her, “Will you marry me?” I ask.

  “Wasn’t that the question last night? Because if it wasn’t, we definitely need to work on our communication skills,” she comments, inching closer, making me hard again.

  “Let me clarify. Will you marry me today?” I ask, and she bolts up.

  “Today?”

  “Yes,” I say, sitting up to join her.

  “What? How?” She starts rambling questions as her head shakes back and forth.

  “Details are all taken care of. You just need to meet me there,” I assure her.

  “What about my dress?” She shuts her mouth and bites the inside of her cheek.

  “You mean the dress you bought a few weeks ago?” I ask, cocking my eyebrow at her.

  “How did you—”

  “It doesn’t matter, but it’s arriving as we speak.”

  “Did you see it?” Her face sulks down into a frown.

  “No, I would never spoil the sight of you on your way down the aisle to become my wife.” I place my finger under her chin and lift it up to me. “I love you, Kailey. Become my wife this evening at five-thirty.”

  She sits there on her knees, her naked body bare for me to admire. “Yes.” She encases her arms around my shoulders and I pull her down to me. “Wait, we don’t have a marriage license.”

  “My parents’ pastor is going to do it, and he’ll sign off on the paperwork once we go to the court house and get the papers.”

  “Oh my God, I’m getting married today!” she happily exclaims, and then she looks down at me. “To the most amazing man.” Then her lips brush against mine, but I need a little more than that before I have to share her with others. So, my hands bring her into me more, and she gladly joins me on one last time before we become Mr. and Mrs.

  I SIT ON the bed in the guest room alternating between staring down at the ring Trey gave me just five hours ago and my dress that Jessa brought with her. Contemplating how changed my life has become, tears fill my eyes with a happiness I never thought I could have with anyone, let alone Trey.

  Chloe opens the door and comes in and sits on the bed. Her hair is all curled in twirls and pinned back with ribbon throughout. “Sadie do your hair, Chloe?” I ask her, and she nods. “It’s beautiful.” She nods again. This is so very unlike Chloe not to be talking, especially when she’s been all dolled up.

  “Are you okay, sweetie?”

  “So, are thinks going to change?” she asks in a low voice.

  “Why would they change?”

  “You’re marrying Trey. Do you love him more than us?”

  “NO!” I screech before calming my voice. “Chloe, just because I love Trey doesn’t mean I love you any less.”

  “How do you know you love Trey?” she asks me, sitting up on the bed and crossing her legs.

  I touch my hand to her heart. “I feel it here,” I say. “Just like I did when you came home and when Tara and Drew were born.”

  “There’s enough room for all of us?”

  “Yes, more than enough.”

  “Now you and Trey will become a mommy and a daddy?”

  “We sort of are already. But eventually maybe we’ll have a baby one day.”

  “And your heart will grow more?” she asks.

  “Yep, it will just keep growing.”

  We’re interrupted by a knock on the door. Sadie peeks her head in. “You ready for hair and make-up?”

  “Not just yet. Can you do me a favor and ask Trey to meet me in his room?”

  “Is everything—”

  “It’s fine, we just need a little family pow-wow beforehand,” I say, nodding my head in Chloe’s direction.

  “Gotcha,” she says and shuts the door.

  Chloe and I walk down the hallway and sneak into Trey’s room. He runs in a few minutes later, panting and sweaty. He’s still in his jeans and t-shirt.

  “What’s going on?” He sits down on the bed on the other side of Chloe.

  “Chloe’s a little worried about how large our hearts can grow,” I mention, and he raises his eyebrows my way before turning back to Chloe.

  “It can grow as much as you want it to,” Trey says.

  “Mommy and Daddy told me I made their heart grow tons,” she remarks, and we smile. “Now their hearts are with the angels.”

  “Maybe. Do you still love them in your heart?” I ask, and she nods.

  “So, if Trey is my bidadodgical daddy and you’re my aunt, but kind of like my mommy and you’re going to be married—”

  “Chloe, what is wrong, baby?” Trey pats her knee. “You know you can tell us anything.”

  She looks up at Trey. “Does your heart love me?”

  “Oh, sweet girl, you were the one that taught my heart to love.” He takes her hand and my heart sores with how at peace they’ve become with their new relationship.

  “There’s enough room for all of us? Tara and Drew, too?”

  Trey chuckles and then straightens his face. “Yes, I love all of you. We’re a family.”

  “But families have mommies and daddies. Timmy has two mommies and daddies. Veronica only has a mommy. Ricky has two daddies and a mommy. My mommy and daddy are in heaven. You and Aunt Kailey will have a baby like Aunt Jessa and you’ll be its mommy and daddy—”

  “Chloe, we’re all a family. You may not call us Mommy and Daddy, but we are. We take care of you, Tara, and Drew like a mommy and daddy would. Me marrying Trey just makes it official.” I try to make her understand.

  “Official?” She looks up at me, complete confusion all of her face.

  Trying to think of how to put this in terms a five-year-old can understand, I say, “When two people who weren’t family before want to be a family together they get married.

  “Really?” she says excitedly.

  “Yes,” Trey confirms.

  “Only two people?” she questions.

  “Well, some families are different. It depends on who’s in the family.” I’m really trying to think on the spot here.

  “We’re family, and Trey is going to be a part of our family, and we’re in each other’s hearts.” She pauses like she’s working out a math problem in her head. I’m just about to speak, when she pops out with, “Then we should all get married.”

  Trey bends down in front of her and takes her small hands in his. “Chloe, you understand that marrying someone is a big deal, right?”

  She nods her head. “Uh huh, and since you’re my bidadogical daddy and you shared me with my Mommy and Daddy, so their hearts could grow, I’ll share you with Tara and Drew, and they can have a Mommy and Daddy again, too.”

  “That’s a wonderful idea, sweetie,” I speak up, since Trey seems a little overwhelmed at the moment, but he soon finds his voice.

  “Yep. Tara and Drew might not understand what’s happening, but—”

  “I’m going to tell them we’re gettin’ married!” She jets out of the room.

  Trey stands and pulls me into him. “I have a feeling we’re only at the start of these questions,” he says.

  “I know, but you handled that pretty well,” I compliment him.

  “Well, thank you. You had me terrified there for a second. Thought you were going to run out on me.” Just as my heart was at new heights a moment ago, it sinks that he still doubts my commitment.

  “I told you, I’m done running,” I say, and he cocks his eyebrow. “Yeah, yeah, I had one last time, but give a girl a break, that was pretty unpredictable.”

  “As much as I want to stay here with you all day, I have to get to the store. See you at five-thirty. I’ll be the devastatingly handsome one staring at his hot-ass fiancé about to walk down the aisle.”

  “Why do you have to go to the store?”

  “If I’m marrying all of you, I can’t only have jewelry for you.” He kisses me on the cheek. “I love you,” he says, walking out of the room.


  “Crap!” I mumble to myself. I scramble down the hall, saying quick hellos until I land on Dex. “Oh, thank God. You need to go with Trey right now.” I point to him walking to the car. “Buy a ring. I don’t have a wedding ring for him. Make sure it fits, but do it on the sly. Now go!” I push him toward the door and wait for him to jog over to Trey. I release a breath when Dex slides into the passenger seat and they pull out.

  I run upstairs and grab my phone, texting Dex.

  Kailey: Send me pics.

  Dex: you expect me to do that how?

  Kailey: distract him. Figure it out.

  A half hour later, my phone is going berserk as Dex hammers off pictures to me. I finally decide on a traditional silver one with a few lines along each side. Explaining I’ll pay him when he gets back, he says no problem. There’s something to be said about someone else planning your wedding.

  I RUN INTO the mall, not sure exactly what I’m looking for. Dex came along with me, but he seems to want to do his own thing, so I left him at the last jewelry store. I wonder what exactly he’s getting–something for someone? Maybe he’s actually ready to put some jewelry on Chrissy. Finally, when I get to the third store, the nice sales lady shows me a case of children’s jewelry and thank god it’s a lot cheaper than adults’. I’ll be paying off Kailey’s ring for some time, and I don’t need to tack on more debt.

  Jen & Caden planned well for the kids’ future. The house is paid for and they were left plenty of life insurance money, which Kailey and I are making sure is managed by a reputable investment firm. Right now we use a little bit to cover monthly expenses, but once Kailey is out of school and I have a regular job, not an internship, it's important to us that we take care of the kids and everything that comes with being a parent. When the time comes, the kids will receive a really nice financial settlement. So being frugal is important, but these pieces of jewelry represent our commitment to them, and I want something that can withstand the abuse and last.