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When Penny and I get to the house, Chayse’s dad has meat smoking in the back and Reid and Landon are in the kitchen working on the sides. My mom and dad are going to bring Penny’s birthday cake with them so that’s one less thing I have to worry about. My sister is going to bring some balloons, too. Hopefully she’ll be here early enough so that she doesn’t run into Chayse and ruin the surprise.
Spencer texted us to let us know what way they were coming to the house so that we could all park around the corner and Chayse wouldn’t recognize our cars. Landon’s parked out front, but he’s so much a part of their family that she won’t think a thing if she sees his car out front.
Penny is so excited that she can’t stand still. Thankfully, it’s still pretty warm and Chayse’s dad has a kiddie pool, squirt guns, and water balloons set up for the kids. When I look at him with an eyebrow raised, his response about knocked me on my ass.
“What? Can’t a Papa spoil his future grandbaby?” My jaw dropped and I instantly had tears in my eyes. Before I could even reply, he cut me off.
“You didn’t think I knew exactly where this was heading? My baby girl loves you and I know you love her. I will do anything to make sure she is happy. Gaining a grand daughter is the best fucking bonus for me. I want you all to be happy, and you’re the happiest when you’re together. That’s why we’re throwing this surprise party and why I was more than willing to host it at our house. I want my family here and watching it grow is the best thing this old man has to look forward too anymore.”
I can’t help myself as I fly at him and wrap him in a hug. He just chuckles and gives me one of the best bear hugs back. I don’t know how l got so lucky to deserve Chayse’s love and her amazing family, but I know I need to do anything I can to keep them in our lives. I try to discreetly wipe my eyes and Reid and Landon just laugh at me. I flip them off and then text my sister to bring the kids suits before going back to decorating.
I keep pacing because everything’s ready, but I’ve never been the most patient person and I can’t wait for Chayse to get here. I keep trying to rehearse what I am going to say, but everything gets so jumbled. My dad cuts me off and hands me a beer. I’m not sure that’s what I need right now, but I take a large pull and let the cold beer calm my nerves a little.
“Son, it’s going to be okay. We’re all here because we believe you should be together and that you can make it work. Chayse hasn’t told you to get lost the past few days you’ve been sending her the gifts and texting her, has she?”
“No, but it’s not like we’ve had verbose conversations either. She usually just tells me thank you anytime I do something for her.”
“Thank you is a hell of a lot better than fuck off and stop sending me shit so quit fretting and look on the bright side.”
I can’t help but let out a snort at that comment, but he does have a point.
“Fine, if you don’t believe me, remember our conversation the first time you brought Chayse to meet us?” I slowly nod my head because I know where he’s going with this. “I told you then that I knew right away that your mother was different and that she was it for me. You know Chayse is it, but you let your fear get in the way. Thankfully, you wised out pretty quick and pulled your head out of your ass. Now all you need to do is tell her how you feel. You’ve been showing her you can take care of her and be there these past few days, but now it’s the time for the words. Apologize. Claim your fault in the relationship and prove to her that you are going to do better.” He slaps me on the shoulder and walks away while I let what he said sink in.
I do need to apologize. Own letting my fears get in the way and admit that I was pushing her away because I was afraid she’d destroy me down the road if I didn’t end it now. I let my fear override all the good and sabotage us. I also need to ask her to let me show her I can be the man she needs.
I’m just about to head to the table and sit down when Landon steps out of the kitchen real quick and lets us know the girls are coming up the road. I snag Penny out of the pool and get her dried off as quickly as I can. She looks like a drowned rat, but it will have to do. She runs over and grabs the present from where we had it stashed, and I put my beer on the table and wait for Chayse to realize what’s going on. I’m kind of kicking myself for having our families and best friends see my grovel, but who better to hold me accountable than the ones we love.
I can hear the girls laughing as they make their way towards the kitchen, and I can’t help but smile. I made Penny promise to let me talk to Chayse first, but I know it’s killing her. I can feel her vibrating with excitement from where we hold hands, and it just makes my smile even bigger. This is going to be hard, but I know deep in my bones we can’t live without Chayse.
Emerson and Spencer walk through the back door with knowing smiles on their faces and I lose my breath when I see Chayse. She’s fucking stunning. She’s got that white sundress that I love on, her hair in one of her crazy braids, with just a hint of makeup on. I can see the freckles on her nose and shoulders from spending the afternoon in the sun. Penny snaps me out of my staring by jumping up and down. Before I can say anything, Chayse beats me to it.
“Wh-what are you all doing here?” She turns to look at her dad and sisters and I finally clear my head enough to step forward and take her hand. She lets me and turns to face me, and I can see the uncertainty in her eyes. I take a deep, steadying breath before saying everything that needs to be said to move forward.
“Hey beautiful. I asked them all to come. I fucked up and I knew it the moment you turned your back and walked into your house. You were so right. I let my fear win. I chose to use it to rationalize pulling away and pushing you from our lives at the same moment. I want to be the man who deserves you. The man who you can lean on, who will build you, and take care of you when you forget to put yourself first because you’re so quick to care for everyone else. I want to be the man who makes you laugh, reminds you to slow down and take a break, who champions you when your career continues to grow, and it will. You’re an amazing nurse, but an even more amazing person.
I couldn’t imagine any woman better than you to have as a role model for my daughter. You’re fierce and loyal, but you’re so damn loving and compassionate. You’re going to teach my girl how to be a badass, take no shit, but also be a compassionate woman who brings good to this world.
I’m sorry from the bottom of my heart for pushing you away and I promise to never do it again. I know that’s empty, but I hope you will be willing to let me show you. If my fear tries to take over, I will talk to you about it and work it out together. I’m done trying to decide what is best for the both of us, because I know that you’re what is best for me and Penny.
So, what do you say? You think you can forgive me and give us a second chance? I’ve been pretty fucking miserable without you, and I really don’t want to have to keep going on this way.”
Before Chayse can say anything, Penny is jumping up and down and starts talking a mile a minute. I’m honestly surprised she’s stayed quite this long.
“Please say yes! I love my daddy, but I can NOT handle him being a growly grumpy daddy bear every day. We were so sad and misseded you sooo much! I already told my friends that my Chayse is the best mommy out there and I don’t want anyone else. Oh, and we got you a present.”
Penny is clinging to Chayse’s dress with one hand, bouncing all around while she thrusts our gift towards Chayse’s face. My gorgeous girl has tears streaming down her face and the most stunning smile I have ever seen. She’s quietly laughing at Penny’s lack of chill, and I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face at the love my girls share for each other. Chayse slowly lets go of my hand as she bends down to talk to Penny.
“Why do you have a present for me, punk? Isn’t it your birthday?” She tickles Penny’s belly who laughs and then immediately launches herself at Chayse. Chayse stands with Penny still attached like they’re velcroed together.
“Just open it already!”
“Okay, okay. Give me a minute!”
They’re both laughing as Chayse sets Penny down and starts unwrapping her gift. She gasps as she pulls the bracelet out of the box.
“It has all of our letters on it! And daddy and I have a matching one! See?” she thrusts her arm with her bracelet on it towards Chayse, who has tears rolling down her cheeks once again.
“Oh, wow. I absolutely love it! Will you put it on me?” She reaches out to give me the bracelet and I instantly feel overjoyed. I can’t help the smile that’s splitting my face. I’m so fucking happy. I get the bracelet on her and hold her hand in mine.
