AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“So does that mean I’m forgiven and you’re willing to give me a second chance?”
“Absolute…”
I cut her off before she can even finish the word and seal my lips to hers. I pull her close and she melts in my arms. It’s the best fucking feeling in the world and the kiss quickly grows heated. I vaguely hear the cheering in the background, but don’t stop until a hand lands on my shoulder with a tight squeeze and I hear a throat clearing. I pull back to see Chayse’s dad standing there, and I can’t help but smirk at him.
We’re instantly swarmed by everyone we love giving us hugs, slaps on the back, and giving us well wishes. The cookout is one of the best I’ve ever been to, and Penny gets spoiled rotten by everyone there. The day is made even better when Chayse agrees to come stay with us for the night. I can’t wait to get home and have a movie night with both my girls and to wake up with Chayse in my arms tomorrow morning.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Cash
Sundaynightwaslikea dream. We all went back to my house and ate leftovers from the cookout and had a movie marathon. Chayse didn’t have to work until the second shift, so we had a lazy Monday morning and she got to hang out with just Penny once I went off to work. Her sitter came over early afternoon so that Chayse could head out and get ready before having to head to the hospital.
The rest of the week was just as magical as Sunday night. Penny and I worked around Chayse’s schedule, and we spent whatever time we could get together. One night we stayed at Chayse’s and Penny lovedher roomand that Chasye had added even more surprises to it since the last time she was over.
Thursday night was kindergarten orientation, and I was so fucking thankful to have Chayse there with me. I thought the registration process was tough, but this was complete and total fucking chaos. Chayse brought a notebook and a pen to write any questions on and to get answers or any instructions we would need for the school year. I would’ve been completely lost without her.
Penny was super excited that her Aunt Spencer was a teacher at her school. She was only upset for a minute when she found out she wasn’t her actual teacher, but she brightened up as soon as we walked into her classroom, and she saw the present on her desk and all the other cool things they had in her room.
Penny got to ride on a bus while we stayed back and finished a tour of the school and got all the pertinent information we would need throughout the year. I was having a hard time letting go, but the smile on Penny’s face when she got back from the bus ride instantly calmed my nerves.
Chayse was by my side the entire time and was even more of a calming effect when I was able to reach out and grab her hand. I caught the tears in her eyes when she overheard Penny telling her teacher that Chayse wasn’t her real mom, but she just knew her daddy would make her her mama some day. I pulled her close and kissed her forehead while she hid her face in my neck to pull herself together.
We waited for everyone to head out before we stopped at Spencer’s room to see if she wanted to go get ice cream with us. Imagine our shock when we walked in and saw Spencer leaning back against her desk with her legs in between a man in all black with tattoos running from his fingers all the way to his t-shirt sleeves with his arms on each side of her on the desk. They looked like they were in the middle of a heated conversation and didn’t even notice us come in. Chayse cleared her throat and Spencer immediately startled. She blushed and pushed the guy in the chest to try and get some space. He turned his head to see us standing there and smirked. He slowly pulled away from Spencer, but trailed his finger down her arm to her hand where he gave it a squeeze. With one last look, he turned, gave us a head nod, and then was out the door.
Before either of us could say anything, Spencer gave us her death glare and told us not to ask. She came out to get ice cream with us, but wouldn’t let us know anything about the man, who definitely looked the owner of The Tavern, was that we caught her with in her classroom.
The next few weeks went by in a blur. We took turns staying at each other's houses and kept building on our relationship. Chayse made sure to schedule the first day of school off so that she could take Penny to school with me and pick her up.
One thing my baby girl never had to worry about was being loved. Not only did Chayse and I take her to school, but my parents, Chayse’s dad and Emerson, and Reid and Landon were all at the school to send her off on her first day. Landon even had an obnoxious sign with glitter. Penny ate that shit up and I was overwhelmed by all the people who loved my little girl who didn’t have to, but chose to.
Her first day went off without a hitch, and she was very excited that she would get to see her Aunt Spencer every day for lunch, but she was very irritated she couldn’t call her that at school. Thankfully, Spencer explained in a way for Penny to understand, and all was right in the world after that.
Chayse and I picked her up from school and we all headed to her Papa’s for a cookout, per her request. Everyone who dropped her off was there, along with my sister and her family, and a guy I never met, but assumed came with Emerson since they were off to the side having what looked like a one sided argument. The guy seemed pissed, but Emerson was just smirking at him.
Chayse and I learned that he was the new mechanic, and didn’t know this was going to be a family event. He didn’t like Emerson’s explanation that the guys at the shop were considered family and always had a welcome invitation to the cookouts. He grumbled something that sounded like being told he couldn’t miss it and “invitation my ass” under his breath. He didn’t say much, but he also seemed to not mind all the rowdiness that our crowd brings.
The next few weeks we found our new routine and I can’t remember how I ever did this without Chayse. She just fits in our lives, and I can’t wait to see how we grow.
Chayse
The last month has been one of the busiest, but best of my life. I got to do some amazing firsts with Cash and Penny, and I wouldn’t have had it any other way. Seeing Cash so anxious and overwhelmed at kindergarten orientation was adorable. Spencer gave me a heads up that it was information overload for the parents, so I came prepared with a notebook and pen to make sure we knew everything that we needed once school started.
Cash’s relief having me there and then reinforcing it by thanking me and telling me how he couldn’t have done that without me wonderfully reinforced the decision to let him back into my life and be the man who I needed, but also was comfortable with leaning on me.
Spencer is still being tight lipped about why Maverick was caressing her arm in her classroom, but I know she’s been seeing someone without telling us, so maybe we finally have our answer. She’s never been this tight lipped about someone she’s dating and I’m dying to know what’s going on.
The first day of school with Penny was amazing. Cash and I both let out a tear or two when she raced into the building without a backwards glance our way. We received a bunch of hell from Reid and Landon, but both of them clammed up pretty quick when we told them we’d remember that when they were in our position in the future.
The cookout after was a fucking blast. I love that my family and Cash’s family get along so well. We had a laugh watching Emerson work her sunshiny disposition on the grumpy new mechanic that she hired once dad fully retired. The guys couldn’t tell, but Spencer and I gave each other a knowing look or two when Emerson wasn’t paying attention. That poor guy didn’t stand a chance against her, and he had no fucking clue what was coming his way.
We hired a few new nurses for the ER that we got trained up in a flash which allowed for better schedules for everyone. We are lucky some of the younger nurses love the night shift which gives some of us older, more seasoned nurses a break from working so many swing shifts.
The better schedule has made it even easier for me to spend time with some of my favorite people. Cash and I have a pretty great schedule and I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for us. For now, I’m soaking in all the love with my little family and making as many memories with them as I can.
Epilogue
Cash-Three Years Later
