Big Sister

KAYSEN*

When Tanner asked me about adopting Cora, my heart fluttered and then dropped at the same time. I was happy for a second, and then my thoughts went to Kristine. She hadn't seen Cora since before the restraining order was placed on my mom. Tanner and I were both afraid that if I took Cora to Kristine's as I would typically do twice a week, somehow, my mom would get to her. Kristine has called a few times and has talked to Cora on the phone. She has asked if she could at least come by to see her. But I know that Kristine would be upset at seeing Tanner and me together. My mom was right on one thing, though; it is time for Kristine to move on.

I don't know how to feel right now. Kristine would be heartbroken; the crazy thing is I didn't give Cora Michael's last name Henderson; I gave her mine Richardson. Kristine was upset at first but grew to understand why I had. Now Tanner would be adopting Cora, and she would become a Cunningham; I can only imagine how upset Kristine will be by that. Tanner has proved over and over that he is Cora's father. From the time he took Cora and me out on that date if you want to call it that, to the time we searched high and low for Cora when my mom had taken her. Tanner would go to the end of the earth for Cora; I've learned that over the last month or so.

I need to stop worrying about what everyone else thinks and think about my happiness, as well as Tanner's and Cora's. I know that Cora will be delighted to know that Tanner would be her father. Cora already slips up now and then and calls him daddy. It's the most amazing scene when Tanner's eyes glisten like he may cry every time Cora calls him daddy. Kristine will either have to accept the fact or not be a part of Cora's life because Tanner adopting Cora is the right thing to do. I know that with all of my heart.

"Are you ok? We are about to walk in there to get Cora, and you have this dazed and confused look on your face, babe," Tanner said as he took me into his arms and hugged me tightly.

"I'm fine; we can talk about it once we get home. It has been a wild day, and I have so much on my mind," I said, and Tanner looked deeply into my eyes for a moment and nodded his head.

"Ok, let's go in there and get Cora; we are running late," Tanner said as he entwined his fingers with mine, and we walked into the school.

"Mommy, Daddy look!" Cora cried as she held up a picture she had drawn of all of us together playing with a puppy.

"The kids were all asked to draw a picture of something they wanted but didn't have. Cora is quite the artist, as you can see. She had the best drawing out of the whole class. I can say this now because all of the other kids and parents are gone; Cora's drawing is almost perfect where the other kids mainly scribbled. She is well beyond her years. She's a bright and talented young girl. You both should help her strengthen her artistic abilities; they will get her far someday, " Mrs. Miller said as she handed Cora's backpack over to me.

"Thank you, Tanner, and I will do that, have a nice evening," I said, and Tanner picked up Cora, and we left the building.

"A puppy, huh?" Tanner asked Cora as he ruffled her hair.

"Yes, please, please, please!" Cora squealed as Tanner placed her into her car seat and buckled her in.

"Well, I guess we need to get going to the pet store, don't you think Kaysen," Tanner said as he started the car.

"What are we going to do with a puppy Tanner?" I said with wide eyes as I placed my hand on my belly and thought about what a crazy idea that was. I had six months, and we would be caring for twins and Cora. When were we going to have time to care for a dog on top of everything else. I could feel my pregnancy hormones getting the better of me, and anxiety started to kick in. Tanner did say that Cora and I would never want for anything. Crap, I guess we're getting a dog.

"Oh, come on, mommy, Cora, and I will watch over it; you won't have to worry about anything. I promise," Tanner said as he jutted his lip out like he were a kid begging for an ice cream cone before supper. Arg, I could kick him right now, but I'm strapped into the car, and there's a center console in the way.

"Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you," I said, and Tanner smiled brightly at me and backed the car out to leave.

"I've always wanted a dog myself, so this will be a treat for both Cora and me, and I'm sure you will love it," Tanner said happily as we made our way into the central part of the city towards the nearest pet store.

***

"That one, I want that one," Cora squealed as she pointed at the cut as a button Beagle puppy wagging its tail at us as he jumped up on the glass of the showcase room. I'm not going to lie; I fell instantly in love with him.

"Yes, we have to get that one, I love him to death already, and we haven't even held him yet," I said as I grinned up at Tanner, and Cora clapped her hands excitedly.

"Well, alright then, what my girls want, my girls shall get," Tanner said as he went off to find an employee to help us.

Cora wanted Bo to be with her in the back seat, but he kept trying to jump over the center console to get to me. So Tanner had opened the back door and placed Bo in my lap. He laid in my lap and rested his head on my belly as if he knew somehow there were babies in there and fell asleep.

"I've got to pull over and take a picture of that," Tanner said as he pulled over and took a picture of Bo and me. I rolled my eyes at Tanner once he was done, and he got back onto the road.

"You couldn't wait to do that until we got home; we are only a few minutes away," I said and couldn't help but giggle.

"Nope. I told you that you would love getting a puppy, and look at you. You know most animals can sense when a woman is pregnant, so you better get used to Bo wanting to be around you all of the time," Tanner said as he smiled over at me.

Bo would end up being just as spoiled as Cora and me I. Tanner had gone overboard on getting every small chew toy and any other crazy thing a puppy would need. Bo will be an inside dog, so Tanner got Bo a bed and training pads to put on the floor and everything.

"As long as you clean up all the dog poop and everything else, I will be just fine," I said as I rubbed Bo between the ears.

***

We had just sat down to eat dinner, and Nicole's eyes grew wide when they landed on the ring Tanner had gotten me.

"Girl, you're going to give me details later. It took you long enough, Tanner," Nicole said as she ran over to me and picked up my hand to examine the ring more closely.

"Well, well. I see I need to bust out with some wine for the ladies and some beer for you and me, Tanner," Ethan said as he got up and went to the refrigerator to grab some beers for him and Tanner.

"I can't drink wine right now, but thank you for the offer," I said as I glanced around to see where Cora was. I was about to bring her to the table, and we hadn't told her yet that she was going to be a big sister.

"Why not, girl? You need to live a little," Nicole said as she went back to her seat.

"I can't drink because I'm pregnant. Fourteen weeks pregnant, actually," I said as I glanced over at Tanner, and he smiled back at me.

"I knew it! I've been telling Ethan for a couple of weeks now that I thought you were. You can't tell all that much yet, but I just knew that you were; that's fantastic," Nicole cried out and took a sip of the wine that Ethan had brought her.

"There's more; I'm pregnant with twins," I said as Tanner walked up behind me and massaged my shoulders.

"Wow, girl, we are going to have so much fun with this; I can't believe it. Get ready to bust out with your credit card Tanner," Nicole said as she clapped her hands and bounced in her seat excitedly. Tanner chuckled and bent down to kiss me on my forehead and walked to the Living room to bring Cora to eat.

"Cora doesn't know yet, so shhh," I said as I placed my fingers to my mouth to let them know not to speak on the subject and further. Nicole and Ethan nodded at me and started digging into their homemade pasta.

***

Tanner and I had just laid Cora down to bed.

"Cora, what are your thoughts on possibly having a baby brother or sister someday?" I asked Cora. Tanner and I neither one knew how to start this conversation.

Cora thought on the subject for a few minutes while Tanner and I looked back and forth between each other and Cora. I hope that she won't be upset. It has always just been me and her until Tanner came into the picture.

"I would be a big sister like Adelaide," Cora said and smiled.

"Yes, you would be a big sister like Adelaide," Tanner said as he tucked Cora into her covers.

"I like that idea," Cora said as she looked at Tanner and me quizzically.

"Well, baby, I'm glad to hear that from you because your mommy has two babies growing in her belly right now. You are going to be a big sister to two babies," Tanner said as he kissed Cora on the forehead. Cora squinched up her face.

"How did that happen?" Cora asked, and Tanner and I smiled at each other.

"That is something we will talk about when you are older, baby, but are you happy that you are going to be a big sister," I said as I bent down to kiss Cora on the cheek.

"Yes, can Daddy sing me to sleep now," Cora said dismissively and closed her eyes? I couldn't tell if she was excited about it or upset. It is past her bedtime, so Cora is exhausted from playing with Bo, who is currently curled up at her feet trying to fall asleep. Tanner and I will have to wait and see.

******

"What do you think? Is Cora upset, or do you think she's happy about becoming a big sister?" I asked Tanner as we walked towards our room.

"After you left, and I was singing to her, she had a smile on her face. I think she was just tired and ready to fall asleep. Don't worry; she seemed fine with the idea before we told her," Tanner said as we made our way to bed.

"I know one thing for sure, I love you, but I'm also exhausted, so no sex tonight," I said as we walked into the room.

"I have some paperwork I need to work on. So I won't be coming to bed for a while; I wanted to say goodnight to you first; we will have that talk in the morning, ok," Tanner said as he kissed me.

"I love you, Tanner,"

"I love you too, babe, sweet dreams," Tanner said as he walked towards his office down the hall.

I love that man with every cell in my body.