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“That’s—a candy wrapper, kiddo,” he tells her.
“Oh, do you have anymore? What’s it taste like? I’ve never had that kind,” Blakely rambles on.
Raymond is laughing but saves his youngest—well, one of his youngest, since he is a twin—from his niece. He lifts her into his arms, and tickles her belly, taking her to the kitchen, luring her with the temptation of another cupcake.
Everyone is laughing and giving Maverick a hard time about his “candy” while I sit here laughing so hard there are tears streaming down my face.
“You good, sweets?” Ryder asks, still recovering from his own laughter.
“Yeah.” I wipe under my eyes. “I’ve heard so many Blakely stories, but this, this is my first live experience. I love that little girl. She’s the best.”
“Yeah, she is. As the oldest, we’re all in for some crazy times if she’s leading the pack.”
“So, you’re telling me that our kids might turn out just like her?”
“Yep.”
“Perfect. They can be whoever they want to be. They’re free to love whoever they want to love, and I’ll stand beside them no matter what.”
“We both will.” He leans in for a kiss.
I have a long road ahead of me, but everything is going to be just fine. I’m going to work hard, and love all of my new family harder. I am going to be a Kincaid after all. I think I’ll adapt to the family motto just fine.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Ryder
I go over my list once, twice, three times, making sure we have everything. Jordyn has complained all morning that I’m not letting her help, but I just smile, and kiss her soft lips and refuse her offer. She’s still healing from the accident, and that’s her primary job. Well, to heal and to love me. I’m selfish like that. And yes, I have zero shame in admitting it. She’s finally home with me, where she belongs permanently.
Life is fan-fucking-tastic.
“I think that’s everything,” I say, stepping back into the house.
“Phone chargers?”
“Got one for both of us.”
“Are you sure I packed enough clothes?”
“Sweets, it’s a camping trip. We’re only going to be there for two days. Trust me when I tell you no one is going to care if you wear the same hoodie two days in a row.”
“I know.” She sighs. “I’m nervous, and before you tell me I have no reason to be, I know that too.” She smiles at up at me. “Ryder, this is my first ever family anything where I’m not being shown off. I get to hang out with a lot of really amazing people and just be me. I don’t have to worry if I’m dressed appropriately, if my hair and makeup are on point, or if someone caught me sneaking an extra cream puff from a passing server.”
I sit on the couch next to her, and, careful of her leg that’s still in a cast, pull her onto my lap. “And that makes you nervous?”
“Yes! What if I don’t know how to be—normal?”
“Baby, you just have to be you. Any version of you that you want to be. That’s who we want to see. Not someone you think you have to be. Be the you that lounges around the couch with me and watches movies. Be the you that fawns all over my nieces and nephews. Just be my Jordyn, and everything else will fall into place.”
“I really, really love you, Ryder Kincaid.”
“Yeah? That’s good because you already agreed to marry me.”
She snuggles into my chest, and even though we need to get on the road, neither one of us moves. Jordyn didn’t get snuggles growing up, and I’ll never pass up the chance to give them to her now.
She starts therapy next week, and she’s nervous. We’ve been talking about making an additional Kincaid family camping trip—a tradition to include the ladies and the kids—and we’re making it happen this weekend. One text to the group chat and my brothers were in. However, Brooks was leery since Palmer is due to have their second baby in six weeks. He insisted we stay somewhere close. Luckily, we have a local campground about thirty minutes from us. It’s in the opposite direction of Harris, and there’s a hospital ten minutes away.
What’s even more incredible is that we were able to get enough cabins to house all of us. We’re pairing up. Two couples per cabin, leaving the twins with Mom and Dad. They are the babies, after all.
“We should get going.” She tries to move, but I stand with her in my arms and place her back on the couch.
“Let me make a quick run through, make sure the house is all locked up, and I turned everything off. I’ll be back to get your walker and take you out to the truck.”
“You know the walker is here for a reason, right? To help me walk.”
