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As he shook his head, he said, “No, babe. I have, I won’t lie, but not because of you. It was my insecurity. I watch you with them. She was never as kind to Chandler as you are, and the way you are with Colby? I don’t worry now. You love them. I’ve seen it.”
“I do. Rick, I love them all.”
“Then answer me, just me, without the kids here, giving you those puppy eyes. Will you marry me, Kanan Pavra?”
I smiled through my new tears. “You know I will, Kendrick Belish.”
“Good. I hear there’s a friend of yours that plans them. Get him on it. Let’s do late summer.”
“So soon?”
“Yes, it takes three months for the adoption to go through. After we fill out the papers with my lawyer, the process will begin. I’d like us to be married before you become a father. Call me old fashioned.”
“Old fashioned.”
“Thanks!”
I finally ate while he sat with me, but I encouraged him to spend the time with Chandler. “Maybe we can get him to go for a run with us and we won’t have to miss our run.”
“I’ll ask him. Eat and come downstairs. I want a nice family day. Next week, I’m going to brutalize you a little. We have to have all the bruises gone before you get your background check and all of that.”
"Yes, please. They’d take one look at me and throw us out.”
The family day was great, and since he was dispensing surprises, Rick told Chandler about the land and the new house.
We were outside, watching Colby chase moths and Rick told him. Chandler’s face was perfect, his eyes widening perfectly. “Dad? A house?”
“For you to use when you’re home or to live in. I’m not pressuring you to move back here.”
I waited for him to answer, anxiety killing me. “Listen, Dad, I never said either way if I wanted to come home after or not. Not to you, anyway. I do want to, but I just don’t want to be…stuck here. Not that I feel stuck!”
I knew what he meant, so I tried to explain, “Chan’s young. He wants to see the world, and experience things. That house, as a home base…”
“Oh! Oh, Chan, yes, of course! I’ll arrange everything for trips, if you like.”
“I can do that for myself, Dad.”
“I always forget that you’re an adult now. Sorry, Chan.”
“It’s okay, Dad. I get it now. I get it, I’m always your baby, but now you have two others.”
“Two?”
“Colby and Kan. Use your stress on them a while,” he said, laughing and throwing me a wink.
“You’re never off my stress list, Chandler. I’m a parent, it’s part of the job description.”
“Yes, Father, I know that. Still, you have a wedding to plan, and knowing you? God…”
“What? Chandler, what are you talking about?” I asked, suddenly nervous.
He gave me a sly side-eye and said, “You’ll find out soon enough.”
“Chandler, please, do not scare him.”
I was already scared. “I was doubting having Theo help after he drove everyone crazy, but he did pull off an amazing wedding for Eli and Noah. If you’re crazy, too, no way. I’m ready to elope.”
Chandler giggled like Colby usually did and Rick gave us both dirty looks. “You two are a pair of creeps.”
