TANNER*I have never been so scared in my life as when Kaysen and I realized that Cora was gone. It took everything in me to stay calm so that Kaysen would remain calm. I paced around her parent's kitchen after the second attempt of Kaysen messaging her mother and hoped that her mother would text back. After driving several places and not finding Nancy or Cora, I wanted to punch something. Clark and Nancy better be glad they don't have a huge hole punched in their wall.I had a feeling deep in my gut that something was up when Clark told us we should stay in the living room. He and Nancy had put a lot of thought into how they would take Cora. The fact that Kaysen won't be pressing charges has my nerves going haywire. But I knew that I needed to get a hold of my dad as soon as possible, to get the restraining order drawn up and put into effect. I stopped to get gas after leaving Kaysen's grandparent's house and went into the store to text my dad. My dad and I both agreed, and Kaysen an
TANNER*The nurse led Kaysen and me around the corner and down the hall toward another room. Kaysen winced and clutched my hand as the nurse threaded the IV into the upper part of her hand. I wished them that I could take the pain away from her. I should have taken better care of her last night."Would you like to go shopping when we get done here?" I asked Kaysen after the nurse had left the room. I hoped Kaysen would say yes so I could make up for her being in this situation and spoil her to bring her some happiness."That sounds like a good idea. I can no longer fit in any of my shorts or jeans, and I'm annoyed with wearing dresses all of the time," Kaysen said with a grin on her face."Hello, my sweet babies. Go easy on your momma. We love you so much. I can't wait to hold you both," I said as I spread my hand over Kaysen's belly and kissed the top of her dress. I moved my hand so I could lay my head down on her belly, and Kaysen ran her fingers through my hair."This is my Heaven
KAYSEN*"How about a nice relaxing bath. You can relax for a bit, and Cora and I can watch TV?" Tanner asked me as we walked into the house."That would be great, Tanner; I might take a nap afterward if that's ok. I'm quite tired," I said as I walked to the kitchen and grabbed a bottled water from the refrigerator."Sit down with Cora in the Livingroom, and I'll prepare your bath for you," Tanner said as he walked off towards our bedroom."Mommy needs cuddles from her cuddle bug. What would you like to watch on TV, Cora?" I asked Cora as we made our way to the Livingroom and sat down on the couch."Bubble Guppies please," Cora said as she sat on my lap and laid her head on my chest."Bubble Guppies it is then. I love you, baby," I said as I turned the TV on and found Bubble Guppies.I drank my water and ran my hands through Cora's hair. I don't know what I would do if anything ever happened to her. The last two weeks have been so stressful. I'm happy to be rid of my mother; I can't be
KAYSEN*"See, I told you my mom knows how to throw a party," Tanner said as he beamed over at me as I unwrapped another gift.I was surrounded by people I had just met and people I would like to call family now, even though Tanner and I aren't engaged or anything yet. Tanner took me two weeks ago to look at rings, and I keep wondering when the time will come that he will propose. Perhaps he is trying to take things slow since everything else about our relationship has been fast-paced."Who is that gift from, dear, so I can write it down for the thank you cards we will send out next week?" Diana asked me before I could answer Tanner. Tanner smiled at me again and picked up another gift to unwrap. Tanner has been opening the heavy gifts and handing me the lighter, smaller boxes."Let's see," I said as I picked up the card. "Doreen and Cade Miller," I said as I read what was on the card and saw that there was also a gift card within the card."There is also a JCPenny's gift card in here
TANNER*We all opted to retreat to mine and Kaysen's home after church. Ethan and his wife were there and had provided a fantastic feast for all of us and had made mini homemade pizzas for all of the children. Ethan and his wife started working here two weeks ago after I had gone back to work, and they have both been an enormous help to Kaysen and me."Blaze, I won't be in the office tomorrow. I know Mondays are hectic; I'll stop by the office and work from home tomorrow night to make up my work. Kaysen and I have something important to take care of tomorrow, and we can't put it off," I said after pulling Blaze into my office."Kaysen is pregnant, isn't she? You guys have been acting weird for quite some time now. One time was when we had the housewarming party, and you wouldn't let her lift anything and kept on insisting for her to sit down and chill out," Blaze said as we walked and sat down in some chairs I have in my office."I can't confirm or deny that information right now," I
KAYSEN*When Tanner asked me about adopting Cora, my heart fluttered and then dropped simultaneously. 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 was 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 would be
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 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 getting married. Honestly, I'm ready for her and Cora to be a part of my life completely. I can't wait any longer for both of them to bear my name.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, which drives me mad. She won't talk to me about anything, though. She says she's okay or just tired and goes
KAYSEN*Yesterday my mom and dad came to the house to see Cora. I could instantly see the change in my mother. My mom walked through the door with a smile on her face, embraced me, and apologized for everything she had done and said to me through the years. She even hugged Tanner and apologized to him and didn't flip out when we told her I was pregnant and that Tanner and I were getting married. I could see a change within my mother and my dad. Even the way they were acting towards each other. It was a fantastic sight, and it warmed my heart immensely. I wished that things had changed sooner but was happy that they finally had.My mom sought counseling, and she and my dad have also started seeing a marriage counselor. I never in a million years thought that my mom would heed my words. My mom and dad have started the dating process all over again and will be renewing their vows on their anniversary in April. Cora will be their flower girl, of course, and I will stand by my mother as he