“A baby doll! Well that’s just great! Can you look over there so we can take your picture? See that lady? Say cheese!”
Alexis continued looking at Santa, looking intricately at his face. Reaching out her little hand, she pulled his beard right as the attendant took her picture. Kayley burst out laughing, followed by Ben, as Alexis continued pulling. Kayley stepped up and took her fingers gently out of his beard.
“Sorry,” she squeaked, still laughing. Santa shook his head, grinning at her.
“That’s real, little girl! How about a picture with your Mom and Dad now?” Ben raised one eyebrow at Kayley as she perched on Santa’s other leg, while Ben stood behind Alexis. She stifled laughter, knowing what he was thinking. As they posed for a picture together, Alexis smiled when Ben tickled her from behind.
“That’s a great picture,” the attendant said, handing the instant photo to Ben. “She looks just like her Daddy.”
Catching Kayley’s eye, Ben beamed at her. She reached for his hand. “Thank you.” Kayley looked at the picture as they walked away, then looked at Ben. He stopped in the middle of the mall, twirled her around, and then kissed her.
“It’s our first official Christmas photo,” he said. “Let’s go home.”
The small moving truck pulled up into Kayley’s driveway, and Ben hopped out of the driver’s seat. Kayley walked out to help him, and she couldn’t help but feel that familiar twinge throughout her body as she saw him. He was already covered in sweat, even though it was December. His muscle shirt was soaked and sticking to his defined chest, his wet hair shoved back against his head. To her, he still looked edible.
The passenger door swung open and another man got out. Kayley’s eyes switched to him. She knew that it must be Ben’s friend Cameron, since he told her that he was helping out. She hadn’t met him yet, but knew that he and his wife Kellie and their newborn Kasen were coming to the Christmas party. He was very attractive as well, though to her, could never hold a candle to Ben. He was tall like Ben, with dark wavy hair and a well-defined body. She knew that they liked to work out together, so it was no surprise that he was just as fit as Ben. He waved at her, and the two guys walked to the back of the truck. Kayley followed to see if she could help.
“Hey baby,” Ben said, seeing her. He walked up to her. “I’m sweaty. Want a hug?”
“I’ll take a hug from you anywhere and in any condition,” Kayley teased, kissing him.
“This is my buddy, Cam,” Ben introduced. “This is the love of my life, Kayley. You’ll meet our little girl later. She’s with her grandma.”
Kayley blushed, proud that this big, strapping man felt comfortable saying that in front of his friend. “Nice to meet you, Cam. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Cameron shook her hand, elbowing Ben in the process. “Nice to meet you, Kayley. You’re just as beautiful as Ben described. He’s pretty whipped, you know.”
Ben burst out laughing, elbowing Cam back. “Kay, you just wait until you see him with his wife Kellie. That is whipped.”
Kayley laughed at their obvious affection for ribbing each other. “Well, maybe you both are whipped. Now, come on, let’s get these boxes unloaded. I have lunch made for you.”
Cam raised an eyebrow as Ben set right to work, opening the back of the truck. “See?” he mouthed to Kayley. “Whipped.” She knew she was going to enjoy being around these two.
An hour later, the friends had all of the boxes moved into her garage, and a few things moved into the house that Ben hadn’t already done previously. He had sold most of his furniture and put some things in storage. He was officially a resident of Kayley’s house. And while she had initially worried that it would be weird for him, living with her in the house that she and Alex had bought, it didn’t phase him at all. He never seemed to worry about being compared to Alex.
Kayley busied herself in the kitchen, readying the last details for lunch for the guys. She knew they had to be exhausted. She allowed herself to daydream what it was going to be like this year, at Christmas. For the first time since Alexis was born, she wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. Well, not that she was ever alone, surrounded by her family and Alex’s family and her friends, but at the end of the day, when all the food and presents were cleaned up, it had just been her. This year, she would sit around her Christmas tree with Ben and their baby girl, and feel the most content she had possibly felt, ever.
Ben came in, followed by Cam. “Man, you would think it’s August out there,” Ben complained, wiping his face with his shirt. Kayley’s eyes immediately followed his motion as he pulled his shirt away from his abs. No matter how many times she saw that man shirtless, she just couldn’t stop herself from appreciating just how delicious he was. Standing here, looking all manly and edible, made her want to leave Cam some lunch and go visit with Ben in the bedroom. “Whatcha thinkin’ about?” Ben teased, his mouth against her ear. He knew her so well.
Kayley smirked. “The same thing you’d be thinking about if I walked in here with my pink bikini on, water dripping off of me.” Ben’s mouth dropped open, and she turned away. “Ready for sandwiches?”
“Tease,” Ben grumbled good-naturedly, taking a plate from her and swatting her on the behind.
Cam shook his head, laughing as he took his plate from Kayley. “Thanks, Kayley. This was very nice of you.”
“She’s not nice,” Ben winked at Kayley.
Cameron smacked him upside the head as he walked past him, then sat down. “Dude, you better shut up if you want any chance of getting lucky tonight. Let me tell you, man, they don’t forget a thing. Ask me how I know this.”
Kayley giggled as Ben shot him a look. “Really. Kayley, do I have any problem ‘getting lucky’?”
“Ben!” Kayley shook her head. “I thought guys didn’t talk about stuff like this.”
Cam guffawed. “That’s just what we want to make you think.”
“So, I hear you have a new baby,” Kayley changed the subject.
Cameron smiled. “Yes, he was just born last month, our first. His name is Kasen.”
“And you guys are coming to the Christmas party?” Kayley sat down next to Ben with her sandwich, kissing him on the cheek. He rested his hand on her leg, stroking it.
“Wouldn’t miss it,” Cam replied. “Thanks for lunch. Speaking of, I need to get home and get on diaper duty.”
Ben stood, smacking Cam on the back. “Thanks for your help, bro. I guess I’ll get to meet your baby at the same time you meet mine. She’s the most adorable little girl you’ve ever seen. Looks just like her mom.”
Cam grinned. “Never seen you like this. It sure looks good on you. Nice work, Kayley.”
“I’ll be right back, baby,” Ben kissed her quickly, pulling her to him despite his wet shirt. “I’m going to take Cam back to his car, then take the rental truck back. When’s Lexi going to be home?”
“Should be within the hour. Mom took her to the park and to get some lunch. She’ll probably be napping when you get back, though.”
Ben pouted. Kayley loved it when he did that because she could see just how he was when he was a little boy. “I miss my Princess.”
“Well,” Kayley drawled. “Maybe once you get home, I could help you pass the time in the shower.”
Ben’s eyes widened, and his dimples deepened. “Now that’s what I’m talking about.” He turned and walked quickly to the door. “Let’s go, Cam! I got to get home, bro!”
Kayley laughed. It was so easy to motivate him. She walked back to the kitchen to clean up the lunch dishes, turning on Ben’s playlist for her. She loved every single song because he picked them for her. She touched her necklace as she listened to Beneath Your Beautiful for the millionth time, never getting enough of listening to the words it seemed like Ben wrote for her.
Kayley buzzed around the house, her mind reeling with a thousand different to-do’s. Today was their Christmas party. Ben had “officially” moved in last week after his house closed, but other
than more boxes being in the garage, it wasn’t really any different. He had been there almost full time before that anyway. The security of having Ben around was something she never took for granted. She had always known she was lonely before, but now that he was here all the time, she realized just how lonely it was without him.
Ben walked by the back window as Kayley stood in the kitchen, putting together a dip for the party. He was mowing the yard for her, a task she absolutely hated. Plus, it was a bonus to watch Ben without a shirt on outside. Thankfully, everyone coming was bringing something to share so she didn’t have too much to cook.
“Oh, stop drooling,” Emily teased, coming into the kitchen.
Kayley laughed. “Uh, I’m sorry, but do you remember that you were the one that practically drooled after him in the hospital?
Emily smacked her with a towel on the backside. “Shhh, don’t say that. I don’t want him to get a big head.”
“Well, since he’s outside mowing the yard, I don’t think he will hear you.”
“Hear what?” Ben entered the back door, and Kayley howled in laughter.
“Oh, just that Em…” a hand came over her mouth, stifling her response. She looked deviously at Emily.
“Nothing, Ben. Nothing. Your girlfriend was drooling over you out there. God, are the women in the neighborhood all standing outside with their tongues hanging out? You aren’t going to make any friends with the men of this neighborhood walking around like that. Seriously Ben, put on a shirt.” Emily popped a grape in her mouth, smiling sweetly at him.
Ben smirked at Emily, then turned his attention to Kayley. “Do you think I need a shirt?” He grabbed her and kissed her, entangling his tongue with hers. She instinctively put her arms around him, pulling him closer. Sweat or not, she could never get enough of this man.
“Get a room,” Emily teased. “I’m going to need a cold shower by standing here. Where’s Alexis and Cate?” She turned to leave the room to go check on the girls.
“We have plenty of rooms!” Ben called. “If you want to watch the girls, we can…” He broke off as Kayley smacked him in the gut.
“Did you need something?” she asked innocently.
“A drink,” he said, opening the refrigerator and pulling out a bottle of water. Watching him, Kayley’s insides tingled as his mouth covered the bottle top, and his throat worked at swallowing. Downing the bottle, he licked his lips and then sighed. “Hot out there for it almost being Christmas. I hope it cools off later or everyone will be miserable. What kind of Christmas party is it when you’re sweating?”
Kayley snapped her eyes back to his eyes. “What did you say?”
Ben narrowed his eyes are her. “You aren’t listening to me? Hmm, what could be distracting you?” Moving behind her, he kissed her neck, putting his hands on her hips.
Kayley leaned back, turning her head so he could have access to her neck. His hands came around her waist and laced in front of her, pulling her back against him. Nibbling her ear, he growled in her ear.
“I love you, Kay. I want to see you just in this apron, later. Think that could be arranged?”
She turned, circling her arms around his neck, running her fingers through the back of his hair. “I love you, babe. Thank you for helping me, for just being here. I want you to know there isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not thankful for you. All the little things you do around here for both me and Alexis, it never goes unnoticed.”
“Baby,” Ben leaned over, touching her face with his hands. “You and Alexis are the two most important people in my life. I will do anything for you.” He traced her eyebrows with the tips of his fingers. “I don’t think I could ever tell you in words how much I love you. That’s why I like to show you…as often as possible.”
“Oh, you’re really good at showing that,” Kayley winked. “I seem to remember this kitchen has seen how good you are.”
“If you don’t stop that right now, our guests are going to see a half mowed lawn and wonder what in the world happened here. And you know what I’m going to tell them? That my sexy as hell girlfriend rocked my world while wearing only an apron.”
Kayley shoved his chest. “You will do no such thing,” she teased back. “Now get out there and finish the lawn. No more kisses for you.” Ben pouted, heading for the sliding glass door and his lawn mowing task.
“You’ve got to see this,” Emily came into the room. “I just went to see what the girls were doing, and they are both curled up together on Lexi’s bed, fast asleep. It has to be the most adorable thing I’ve ever seen.”
Kayley dropped the towel she had been using to clean up the kitchen and followed Emily. Stepping quietly into the room, Kayley put her hand over her mouth. It was the sweetest thing she had ever seen. Cate was laying there with Alexis tucked next to her, and both were fast asleep, stuffed animals and babies all over the bed.
“Oh my god,” she whispered. “That is priceless. Did you get a picture?”
“Yes,” Emily answered back. “On my phone. Cate loves her so much. I guess it’s good that she likes little kids, since she is going to be a big sister.”
Kayley watched the girls sleeping, then what Emily said registered. Her eyes wide, she pulled her best friend out of the room by the arm. When they reached the living room, she turned. “You’re pregnant?” Emily nodded and Kayley jumped up and down with her, silently screaming.
“How far?” Kayley put her hands on Emily’s completely flat stomach. “Were you guys trying?”
Tears sprung into Emily’s eyes. “I’m about ten weeks. I’m due around the middle of June. And, well, we’re always ‘trying’, but we’ve been wanting to give Cate a little brother or sister for a while. Now is the time, I guess.” Kayley hugged her tightly.
“I am so happy for you and Trev. And Cate! Does she know yet?”
Emily shook her head. “I think we’re waiting until Christmas to tell her, she will open it like a present. I was going to try to do that to you, too, but I just couldn’t. I found out a few days ago and it’s been torture trying to keep it from you that long.”
“Sit, sit,” Kayley led her to the couch, knowing she had a lot to do but not caring at the moment. “Do you feel sick?” With Cate, she had been sick all the first trimester.
“No, not so far, which is why I didn’t realize I was pregnant,” Emily explained.
“Is Trev excited?”
“He’s over the moon. He loves that little girl so much, he can’t wait. In fact, he told me he’d like to have as many more as I will have. That scares me slightly.”
Kayley laughed. “Just take it one at a time, Em. You’re a fabulous mom.”
“Speaking of being a fabulous mom, have you and Ben talked commitment? More kids?”
Kayley’s stomach fluttered. “He has said in passing that he wants to have a ton of kids with me. He also says constantly that he’s in this forever, that he wants to be with me. But I have no idea what his intentions are as far as proposing. We haven’t really discussed it.”
“But you want to marry him right? I mean, he lives here now, he calls Alexis his daughter, so it seems like a pretty done deal.”
Kayley’s eyes filled with tears unexpectedly. “Em, I can’t even believe that I want to get married again. I swore that I would never love someone like I loved Alex. But, I can’t help it. I am desperately and hopelessly in love with him. I hate to say it,” she looked around like someone might hear her. “But I think that I love him even more than I loved Alex. That sounds awful to say, because Alex was my whole life. But with Ben, everything is just so all consuming. He loves me fiercely. He’s never ashamed to show me how much he loves me, no matter who is around. And even though we’ve been together for a while now, I wake up every day with butterflies in my stomach, and go to bed every night thankful that he’s lying next to me. When he kisses me, I just melt. He always wants to be with me. And him with Alexis? My God. I couldn’t have ever imagined someone would love Alexis the way I do. He see
s her as his. And he’s always careful to say that he knows he’s not her real dad. But, he is her real dad, in all ways that count. He’s the only one that has been a dad to her. So, long story longer, I want to marry him like I want to take my next breath. I want to finish the dream I never got to have with Alex, but this time, it’s going to be even better. Alex will always be a part of me, and I will always be thankful for the time I got with him. But I have no doubt in my mind that Ben is my future.”
Emily reached out and touched the teardrop necklace that Kayley wore and never took off. “It’s been almost two years,” she whispered. “I’m so happy for you and Ben. It’s like he was sent here directly from Heaven for you and Alexis.” Kayley put her hand over Emily’s, still on her necklace.
“Without you, I wouldn’t have made it here,” she said seriously. “I love you like you’re my sister, Em. Thank you for everything.”
The two friends embraced, thinking about the past, the present, and what was to come for both of them.
The party was in full swing, and Kayley hurried to fill up the punch bowl. Christmas music pumped through the speakers, and all of their friends chatted happily amongst each other. Her house was packed inside and out. Thankfully, it was a nice night, and the door was open to the patio, where they had tables, chairs, and a tent set up. Children ran around playing, and Kayley loved watching Alexis chase after them.
They had a great turnout of friends. Ben’s buddy Cam was there with his wife Kellie and their adorable newborn, and he had invited a few doctors from the hospital as well, and his sister Lindsay and her husband Paul. Aimee and Chris had come, and Emily and Trevor, of course. Rachel brought a new flavor of the month, Zack, and Kayley’s brother Kevin had come with his wife Cathy and their three kids. The same friends from her birthday party were there as well with their boyfriends/husbands, Brittany, Ashley, Kathy, and Stacy, as well as a new therapist at work, Jessica, and her husband Rick. Kayley reveled in every moment of it and was glad Ben suggested it.
Living Again Page 33