Page 101 of Playing Pretend

Caleb

5 Months Later

KADENCE LETS OUT a heavy breath, and falls onto the bed beside me. She just stepped out of the shower, and being the smart woman she is, decided to forgo pajamas and wear one of my dress shirts. Seeing her like that makes me possessive, even though I’m certain she’s all mine. I can’t help it. She’s gorgeous.

“Who knew throwing a party for a one-year-old would be so much work.”

I chuckle, and pull her into my side. “I told you we should have gone out. It’s not like she’s going to remember anything.”

Kadence looks up at me. “You can’t go out for your child’s first birthday. You have to throw a party, even if she can’t remember it.”

“Well you pulled out all the stops,” I reply, rubbing my fingers through her hair. “And I love you for loving my daughter.”

Something in Kadence’s expression changes, and she stills.

I frown. “What?”

Kadence sits up, and starts fiddling with her hands. “There was something I wanted to talk to you about.”

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing’s wrong, I just…”

I sit up, and rest against the headboard. In the five months that Kadence and I have been together, I don’t think I’ve ever seen her so nervous. Not even when she decided to come back to work for me, and take over my entire P.R team.

“I wanted to know what you thought about me…” she hesitates, searching my eyes for whatever she needs to continue. “How would you feel if I said I wanted to adopt Braelynn?”

I stare at her, shocked in the best way imaginable. With the way things have been going, I’ve wanted to make things official and give Kadence my last name. I’ve just been worried that it’s too soon for her.

But now…

“Never mind.” Kadence backtracks, and tries to climb off the bed. “Forget I mentioned it.” I reach for her hand, and pull her back.

“You can’t adopt her.”

Kadence’s face falls, and she looks hurt.

“Of course,” she replies, unable to look at me. “I don’t know what I was thinking.” I place my forefinger under her chin, and make sure she understands my reasoning. I wanted to wait, but there’s no time like the present.

“It’s not because I don’t want you to. When you adopt her, I want you to have our last name.”

Wide eyes meet mine, and her mouth opens.

“Oh no, I wasn’t hinting at a proposal -”

I hold my hand up, silently telling her to hang on while I reach for my nightstand. The small light blue box suddenly feels bigger than I remember.

I turn back to Kadence. “I’ve had this for over a month.” Her eyes dart between me and what’s in my hand. “I was going to wait until your birthday next month, but I can’t think of a better time than when we’re talking about becoming a real family.”

I shift so that I’m on my knees, and then open the box.

“Oh…” Kadence gasps.

Nestled inside is a platinum band with a 2.5 carat princess-cut diamond. The woman at Tiffany’s told me I couldn’t go wrong, but when Kadence remains quiet I start to second guess it.

“If you’re not ready…” I start, and then Kadence is shaking her head vehemently. “You’re not?”

“I am!” she cries. “It’s just…”