Congratulations

TANNER*

I stayed up until midnight finishing up the paperwork I promised Blaze I would do. It shouldn't have taken me so long, but I kept getting distracted by all of these thoughts running through my mind. I shouldn't have brought up adopting Cora out of the blue as I did. I should have waited for a better time, like approaching the subject after we had gotten married. Honestly, I'm ready for her and Cora to be a part of my life completely.

Kaysen has been through so much in the last several years, though; I'm hoping that I can convince her to start seeing a grief counselor. She needs help working through everything that has happened to her. Kaysen puts on a smile and tries to act like everything is fine. I know she's happy with me, but she has so much holding her back from being truly happy. I can see it in her eyes sometimes, and it drives me mad. She won't talk to me about anything, though, says she's okay or just tired, and goes to rest.

I should have gotten her in to see someone before now, especially after Nancy took Cora. Nancy taking Cora just about killed me, so I can only imagine how Kaysen feels, but she won't talk about it. Kaysen has all but forgotten about her mom as if she doesn't exist, and Cora asks about Nancy all of the time; then Kaysen distracts her somehow to get Cora's mind off of Nancy. Call me crazy, but I want to drop the restraining order and allow Nancy and Kristine to see Cora here at the house. Neither one of them will be able to take Cora anywhere, and they would need to be here when I'm here to supervise. Yeah, I must be going nuts, but Kaysen needs her mom now, and Cora needs her grandmother's.

I got up from my desk and went over to the miniature bar I had set up in my home office and poured myself a couple of shots of whiskey and downed them in one massive gulp that had my throat burning. I needed something to help me wind down, or I wouldn't be able to sleep, and six o'clock comes so quickly. I made my way to our room and admired Kaysen's sleeping form for a couple of minutes before retreating to the bathroom and getting myself ready for bed. I got up behind Kaysen and brought her into me, resting my hand on her belly, and took a whiff of her Hypnotizing scent. Kaysen nestled up against me and murmured something I couldn't decipher, then went back to snoring quietly.

***

My alarm went off at six o'clock, and I wanted to throw my phone at a wall. I had slept well, but I hadn't gotten enough of it. I had set my alarm to go off a whole hour early so that Kaysen and I could talk before we got up to get Cora ready for school. Kaysen had gone to bed at nine, so I'm surprised she hasn't already woken up. She really must have been tired. Kaysen and I don't usually go to bed until around eleven, and she is always awake before me.

"Hey, baby," I whispered into Kaysen's ear as I ran my fingertips along her arm to wake Kaysen up.

"Hmm, is it that time already," Kaysen murmured and wiggled her perfect round gluts into me.

"If you continue to do that, I'm going to have a hard time not taking you right now, instead of having the much-needed talk we need to have," I said as Kaysen reached behind her and ran her hand down my length.

"Sex now, talk later," Kaysen said as she turned to face me and kissed me hungrily.

"I never thought I would hear myself say this, but we do need to talk, babe," I said as I caressed Kaysen's cheek.

"Ok fine, your right, let's talk," Kaysen said as she sat up in bed.

"Yesterday, you spaced out after I asked about adopting Cora. I want to say that I'm sorry about that; I should have waited," I said as I sat up and put our pillows up so that Kaysen and I could relax.

"No, Tanner, don't be sorry you have been like a father to Cora from day one. I'm the one with issues here; you know Cora has my maiden name, right. I never changed my name after Michael and I got married, and he died three months before she was born. I was happy at first when you asked to adopt Cora, and then my thoughts went to Kristine, and my thoughts went all crazy. Tanner, adopting Cora is the right thing; I want you to. I wasn't thinking straight yesterday. I'm the one who should be saying sorry," Kaysen said as she looked off into space.

"No baby, don't you dare be sorry about anything. You have been through so much, and on top of everything, you're pregnant. Don't be upset with what I'm about to say, ok, but I want to get an appointment for you to start seeing my therapist. She is an amazing woman that has helped me since I was nine years old. You need to speak with someone who can help you process all that has happened to you over the years. I'll go with you if you want me to," I said as I gently nudged Kaysen's chin so that I could look into her eyes.

Tears welled up in Kaysen's eyes, and I brought her to me and hugged her tightly, and ran my fingers through her hair.

"It's okay, baby; I'm here and will continue to be here for you every step of the way. Another thing we need to talk about is your mother and Kristine. It has been over a month, and Cora asks about them constantly. They are a big part of her life. I think it's time we let them see Cora. Neither one can take her anywhere, and they need to come by when I am here. I would hope after a month your mother has learned her lesson. If not, well, we can jump that hurdle later if it comes down to it. You need your mom right now; a woman always needs her mom when she's pregnant," I said as Kaysen continued to break down and sobbed in my ear.

"Can you nod your head to let me know if you are on board with that idea?" I asked Kaysen, and she complied.

"Ok, I'll talk to my dad about dropping the restraining order, and you can contact your mom and Kristine about coming over Sunday after church. I'm being a little selfish right now in saying I want my family to know about the pregnancy and us getting married first. I'm bursting at the seams with happiness," I said as I wiped tears from Kaysen's face.

Kaysen smiled and admired her ring, a two and a half CT diamond three stoned 14K rose gold engagement ring that's stunning like its owner.

"I love you, Kaysen, so much; ok, everything is going to work out just fine, ok; let me help you, and don't keep things from me. I can't help you if you don't tell me what's wrong,"

"I love you to Tanner; I don't know where I would be without you. I enessially thought I wanted to have the babies first before we got married, but why wait. I'm ready to get married now, and I wish for you to adopt Cora. I don't see the point in waiting anymore, we have lived with each other for a little over a month now, and we both love each other," Kaysen said as she put her fingertips through my hair.

"You don't know how happy that makes me Kaysen, are you sure, though? Because I don't want you doing anything you're not ready for. Also, do you want a big fancy wedding or something low-key?" I asked Kaysen as we both grinned lovingly at each other.

"Oh no, don't worry, I am beyond ready to become a Cunningham. I finally have a family in which I feel I truly belong in. I love you all very much, and I can't wait any longer to be your wife. I did the fancy wedding when Michael and I got married, so this time around, I would like something low-key and stress-free," Kaysen said as I brought her in for a passionate kiss.

Kaysen and I made love and then got ready. Kaysen went off to get Cora prepared for school, and I went to the kitchen to chat with Ethan while he prepared breakfast. I can't believe that I'm so lucky and blessed to have found Kaysen and Cora and would soon be married to the most beautiful amazing woman on earth.

Saturday*

Once everyone had arrived at Saturday night dinner, I hollered over the crowd of my family.

"I have two announcements to make," I said as I tugged Kaysen to my side.

"First one being that I asked Kaysen to marry me Monday, and she accepted my hand. We will be getting married at our residence in two weeks," I said, and everyone cheered and came up to hug Kaysen and welcomed her to the family, and congratulated us.

"I'm not done yet," I said, and everyone laughed then quieted down so that I could finish.

"Secondly, Kaysen is now almost fifteen weeks pregnant with twins, who are expected to arrive towards the end of February," I said as I placed my hand on Kaysen's growing belly that seemed to appear overnight magically. On Monday, you could see that her belly had swelled a little, and then over the week, bam.

My mom ran over and touched Kaysen's belly and cried happy tears as everyone else clapped and cheered once more.

Lyra and Vega came up to us a moment later. "We have been suspecting this for quite some time; congratulations. Now I know why you were asking about having twins," Lyra said as she hugged Kaysen again.

"Some prayers would be nice; I'm considered high risk, which is why we waited so long to tell everyone," Kaysen said.

"Will do for sure we are here for anything you may need, ok. We need to go shopping for you a wedding dress now, don't we. I love shopping, Lyra, and I will get you fixed up," Vega said as she bounced around excitedly.

"I was hoping that you two would both be my bridesmaids; you are both like sisters to me?" Kaysen asked Vega and Lyra.

"Of course, we would be honored," Vega and Lyra said in unison, and the three of them laughed.

Mom went off to the kitchen as we all mingled.

"Dinners ready, come and get it," mom yelled out from the kitchen.