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‘Lovely’, really wasn’t the first word which had come to mind when I saw Chase that first night. Storming up the landlord with such menace, he actually took a couple steps back. He cut an intimidating figure that was for sure, but he had never really been anything but gentle with Katie and me. Sure, he was upset when we tried to sneak back in after nearly a week away, but I soon realized that it was because he was honestly worried about us. Which made sense with both my ex and maybe even the cops being after us. All he ever wanted to do was keep us safe. The fake family thing had clearly been an afterthought.
Even so, I wasn’t sure about rushing into a relationship for real. There was a bit of upset when I dropped Katie off at the new daycare. We had only been there about a week, and she hadn’t gotten used to it yet. I just reminded her that she would be seeing Chase and me at the end of the day. “Chase!” she said, with all the joy she could muster.
It made me feel really good to see her so happy. Though it also gave me an idea of how sad she would be if we did move out. The internal debate kept up at work. Each argument and question leading to an answer and counterargument. It went on and on in a circle, never quite coming to a conclusion, the more rational part of my mind arguing with my instinct. It wasn’t until I got home that night, and Katie started bouncing in her backpack, chanting Chase’s name like we were at a sporting event. I couldn’t remember the last time she had been so happy.
Truth be told, I couldn’t remember when I had been so happy either. There was really no point in denying it. I wanted Chase as much as he wanted me, and there was no way we were going anywhere.
“Hey,” Chase said, coming to the door to greet us. “How was your—” Before he could finish, I grabbed him and kissed him passionately, our tongues gently mingling as though dancing. “Wow,” he said, when I finally broke away. “I love you so much,” I whispered.
Epilogue
Chase
Traffic was hell, as it tended to be on Friday afternoons. For all that money could buy, a smooth trip home in rush hour wasn’t one of them. Short of hiring a helicopter, there was really nothing I could do. There was nothing to do but sit in my soft, leather seat, listening to the radio and going over what I was going to say in my head. Using the time wisely, I practically skipped up the stairs to the third floor. Happier than I had been in a long time. I had just closed what might well have been the biggest case of my career. The one that would let me retire and live off my inheritance, like an old school man of leisure. An idea which was beginning to really appeal to me. I could hear Katie before I got through the door. She was nearly two and a half with a heck of a set of pipes, which she used to shout her newest learned phrase while running around on much sturdier legs, hardly falling at all anymore.
“Chase!” she shouted as I came through the door, before making her signature move of running up and wrapping herself around my leg. “Hey, sweet pea,” I said, stroking her hair, which had grown down to her shoulders. “Hey, handsome,” Ashlyn said from the couch, her feet up on the coffee table. “Hey, baby,” I said, picking Katie up. I put Katie down next to me on the couch. Ashlyn and I kissed passionately as I gently stroked her baby bump.
“Still working?” I asked. “Just a bit,” she said, stretching to put the file she was reading back on the coffee table. “You promised,” I said. “You should have thought of that before buying controlling interest in a cleaning company and appointing me CEO,” she said with a grin. “Fair point,” I conceded. “Did you have a good day?” she asked. “The best!” I said. “The best,” Katie repeated. “Won, did you?” Ashlyn asked. “With bells on,” I explained. “With bells on!” Katie parroted. “She learns fast,” Ashlyn said, with a laugh. “I’d noticed,” I said, kissing the top of Katie’s head.
“Any big plans for tonight, Mr. Stanford?” Ashlyn asked. “Why yes, Ms. Tate, I do.” “May I ask?” Ashlyn inquired. “You may ask, but I will never say,” I teased. “Why is that?” she asked. “It would be telling.” Getting ourselves into our best clothes, we loaded Katie into her car seat and drove into the glimmering night. The excitement was palpable. I was bursting to tell Ashlyn something, anything, about what I had planned but resisted mightily, not wanting to spoil the surprise, refusing to directly answer any questions.
