TANNER*"Cora, baby, guess who we are going to go see here in a little while," Kaysen bent down at Cora's level and hugged her tightly."Who, mommy?" Cora squealed."Nana called, and she misses you very much. So we are going to go spend some time with her,""Yay! I can't wait to see her! Will she have knew toys for me?""I don't know, baby. We will need to wait and see. Be a good girl for mommy and fetch your shoes and socks for me, please,""Yes, mommy," Cora squealed and ran toward her room.Kaysen sat down on the sofa and waited for Cora to return, and I packed Cora's backpack with a change of clothes in the event that she should have an accident and would need to change. "Cora dear, let me help you. We can't have you showing up to your nana's with two different shoes and two different colored socks. Silly girl," I chuckled and searched for a matching pair of socks and another pair of shoes. "Here, these will do just fine. Take them to your mommy, and she will put them on for you," I said
KAYSEN*Once the police showed up, Tanner called Jace. It wasn't long before Jace and Blaze showed up. Tanner and I don't know when my mom could have taken Cora. It could be possible that my mom had taken her when Tanner was helping me out of the truck and waited until we had gotten into the house before opening the garage and leaving. Or she left sometime when Tanner and I were talking to my dad. Either way, it had been two hours, and my mother could be anywhere. I've started to realize just how crazy my mother is. I still can't understand why she would go to such lengths to take Cora away from me. I also don't understand why my dad would help my mom.The police sent out an Amber alert and advised Tanner and me to stay there at my parent's house in case my mom or dad happened to show up with Cora. Tanner gave Blaze and Jace the information to my mom and dad's cars, and they took off to join in the search for Cora. I messaged my mother to let her know an Amber Alert had been issued, a
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