Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,110

tongue and smile as I listen to their ideas. They are pretty inventive, but I like mine better. I just have to cross my fingers that overnight Saturday delivery comes through for me.

It better, for what it cost.

Ridge

Knox started walking a few weeks ago, and his little legs carry him all over the place. Kendall and I thought he got into everything when he was crawling, but those little legs are fast.

This past year has brought so many changes in my life, my son and my wife being the biggest. I can still remember the fear I felt when Melissa died. The fear of raising him on my own. Then fate stepped in—or Melissa, rather, because I know in my heart that she sent Kendall to us—and I found this beautiful, sweet woman to raise him with me. To share my life with.

Life is good.

Today is Knox’s birthday party, and my wife seems to be on edge. I’ve chalked it up to her wanting everything to be perfect for his big day.

“Hey, babe,” I greet her. She’s in the kitchen stirring something in a Crock-Pot. “Is that our lasagna?” I ask, resting my hands on her hips and kissing her neck.

She laughs. “No, meatballs.”

“Dada.” Knox comes barreling into the room. Leaning down, I catch him and lift him into my arms.

“Hey, birthday boy.” He gives me a sloppy kiss right on the lips and I laugh. Life has definitely changed, and I embrace it. I love our life.

“Mom.” He points to Kendall.

I freeze. That’s the first time I’ve ever heard him call her that, and I don’t know how she’s going to react.

She places the lid back on the Crock-Pot and turns to face us. “Hey, sweetie.” She tickles his chin.

“Mom.” He leans toward her, his arms held open wide.

“Come here, you.” She takes him from my arms and bounces him on her hip. “Are you ready for your party?”

I watch in fascination as he just plays with her hair. I don’t blame him; I love the feel of those silky strands sliding through my fingers. It doesn’t seem to faze her that he called her Mom. I take a deep breath, wanting that for them, for her to give in and let herself believe that she’s that person for him. She is already, but she fights it.

Hearing a car outside, her attention is drawn out the window. She sees the mailman and grins. “I got you and Daddy a present for your birthday.” She looks up at me. “Can you call your mom and see if she can stop and pick up a bag of ice?”

“Sure, babe.” I hold my hands out for Knox. “You want to come with Daddy?”

He leans toward me, but Kendall holds him close. “I kind of need him for the surprise I got the two of you.” She smiles.

I chuckle. “Okay, then. I’ll go call Mom.”

She nods then rushes out to the mailbox. Her excitement is evident. I guess that’s why she’s been acting a little off today; she was probably just nervous that whatever it is she ordered wouldn’t be here in time. I rack my brain for something that she could’ve bought that would be for both me and our son. I’ve got nothing.

The call with my mom takes longer than what it should have, as she rattles on about all the gifts she bought him. I assume my wife was banking on this, which is why she had me call.

I’m sitting in the living room when Knox comes tumbling in as fast as his little legs will carry him. “Dada!” He hugs my legs and climbs up on my lap. Kendall is laughing when she sits down beside me. Knox is playing with my beard when a small white envelope appears in my line of vision. Kendall and I haven’t had the best of luck with little white envelopes, so I hesitate.

“Open it,” she says, grinning.

I take that as a good sign, so I tear open the envelope. Inside is a single piece of paper from the state of Illinois.

‘Official Petition for Adoption.’

I whip my head toward her. “You signed?”

Tears in her eyes, she grins. “I did. Counseling has helped, and last week he called me Mom. Something just clicked. I knew his situation is much like my own, and I want to be that person for him.”

Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I pull her into a kiss.

“No,” Knox protests, trying to pry us apart.

“He loves his