Living Again (48 page)

Waiting in line behind several families, Alexis looked through the ropes at Santa and the Elves. “He Santa?”

“Yes, see that big man right there in the chair? That’s Santa! See that little girl sitting on his lap? That’s what Lexi is going to do.”

Alexis nodded, one of her favorite things to do. “Otay. Me get pwesents.”

Ben grinned at Kayley. “She looks so adorable in that dress, Kay. I want to eat her up.” He laced her fingers with his and pulled her closer. “Did I tell you I love you today?”

Kayley smiled. “Yes, but you can say it again.”

Ben wrapped his arm around her waist. “I love you, Kayley Carson. I love that I learn new things about you every day.” His eyes sparkled with humor.

“And what did you learn today?” Kayley asked, moving forward with the line.

“That you’re sexy as hell defending me.” Ben helped Alexis move forward. She was captivated by watching the kids get on Santa’s lap. Kayley shook her head in mock exasperation from what he said. “Oh, I had an idea, baby.”

“What’s that? And you better not say anything else about Santa costumes,” Kayley teased, loving his mock injured look.

“Hey, I liked that idea,” Ben teased back. “But, no. I was thinking we should have a Christmas party. You haven’t gotten to meet my buddy Cam yet, and it would be fun to get all of our friends together for the holidays.”

“That sounds awesome, babe, but I’m not sure my house is big enough for a big party! Where would we put everyone?”

“We can put some tents outside if it’s nice, set up some tables on the porch? Would that work? We can have things inside and out. It’s just a suggestion. We don’t have to.”

“No, I like the idea. Let’s get a guest list together and see what we need to do.” Just then, Ben’s phone rang, and he looked at the screen.

“It’s my realtor,” he told Kayley, stepping out of line. “I’ll be right back. I promise I won’t take too long. I will hang up on her before I miss Alexis seeing the big guy.” Ben hopped the velvet rope and put his phone to his ear.

“Daddy?” Alexis turned, watching him walk away. It was amazing to Kayley how attached she was to him. If he was around, she wanted him right there with her.

“He’ll be right back, Lex. Look, we’re getting closer!”

“Up, Mommy.” Kayley picked her up, and she stuck her thumb in her mouth. They moved forward in line, and she looked over at Ben. They were next. He caught her eye and held up one finger.

Hanging up, Ben made his way back to the line and hopped the rope. “Great news,” he announced as Kayley looked at him curiously. Alexis watched him, too. “My house sold.”

“Wow! That’s amazing!” Kayley beamed. His house hadn’t been on the market all that long, but it was immaculate. It definitely didn’t look like most bachelor pads, probably because he had help from his mother and sister.

“Yep. It’s a cash deal too so it will close quickly. Some retired couple from up North saw it this afternoon and gave me a full price offer. So, I guess I’m homeless.” Ben stuck out his bottom lip, pretending to be sad. Alexis laughed at his face.

Kayley pulled on his bottom lip, then leaded over and kissed it. “Homeless? Oh, what a shame,” she teased. “I guess you’re going to have to live with your most favoritest girls. Right, Lex?”

Alexis nodded her head, not having any idea what they were talking about but just about every time someone said, ‘Right, Lex’ to her, she would nod as an answer.

Ben slung his arm over her shoulders and put his lips against her ear. “Are you sure?” He smoothed her hair back over her shoulder, and she turned her face to his.

“Are you serious?” Kayley motioned to their surroundings. “We’re standing in line for Santa. My daughter calls you Daddy. I love you. You love me. We spend practically every night together anyway. Do you think I really wouldn’t want you to live with us, officially?”

“I’m just checking. It’s a big step. I just always want to make sure you’re ready.”

The attendant motioned them to come next, and Kayley turned to Ben. “I’m ready for anything and everything,” she answered, turning and walking towards Santa. Ben trailed behind, trying to keep himself from jumping up in the air. She was ready for anything and everything? Well that just suited him and the plans he had for them just fine.

Kayley walked Alexis to Santa’s lap. He smiled up at her, his chubby face wrinkling up. “Well aren’t you just the cutest little thing,” he said. Alexis looked back at Kayley, then looked at Santa. Ben came around the other side.

“Ready, Princess? Time to tell Santa what you want for Christmas.” Alexis nodded, and Kayley sat her on his leg and stepped back, a smile frozen on her face. She and Ben stood to the side as the big man talked with Alexis. She stared at him, not saying a word.

“Uh oh,” Ben whispered. “She’s not talking.”

“At least she isn’t screaming,” Kayley whispered back.

“Wex want a baby doll, Santa,” she finally said, nodding her head.

“A baby doll! Well that’s just great! Can you look over there so we can take your picture? See that lady? Say cheese!”

Alexis continued looking at Santa, looking intricately at his face. Reaching out her little hand, she pulled his beard right as the attendant took her picture. Kayley burst out laughing, followed by Ben, as Alexis continued pulling. Kayley stepped up and took her fingers gently out of his beard.

“Sorry,” she squeaked, still laughing. Santa shook his head, grinning at her.

“That’s real, little girl! How about a picture with your Mom and Dad now?” Ben raised one eyebrow at Kayley as she perched on Santa’s other leg, while Ben stood behind Alexis. She stifled laughter, knowing what he was thinking. As they posed for a picture together, Alexis smiled when Ben tickled her from behind.

“That’s a great picture,” the attendant said, handing the instant photo to Ben. “She looks just like her Daddy.”

Catching Kayley’s eye, Ben beamed at her. She reached for his hand. “Thank you.” Kayley looked at the picture as they walked away, then looked at Ben. He stopped in the middle of the mall, twirled her around, and then kissed her.

“It’s our first official Christmas photo,” he said. “Let’s go home.”

The small moving truck pulled up into Kayley’s driveway, and Ben hopped out of the driver’s seat. Kayley walked out to help him, and she couldn’t help but feel that familiar twinge throughout her body as she saw him. He was already covered in sweat, even though it was December. His muscle shirt was soaked and sticking to his defined chest, his wet hair shoved back against his head. To her, he still looked edible.

The passenger door swung open and another man got out. Kayley’s eyes switched to him. She knew that it must be Ben’s friend Cameron, since he told her that he was helping out. She hadn’t met him yet, but knew that he and his wife Kellie and their newborn Kasen were coming to the Christmas party. He was very attractive as well, though to her, could never hold a candle to Ben. He was tall like Ben, with dark wavy hair and a well-defined body. She knew that they liked to work out together, so it was no surprise that he was just as fit as Ben. He waved at her, and the two guys walked to the back of the truck. Kayley followed to see if she could help.

“Hey baby,” Ben said, seeing her. He walked up to her. “I’m sweaty. Want a hug?”

“I’ll take a hug from you anywhere and in any condition,” Kayley teased, kissing him.

“This is my buddy, Cam,” Ben introduced. “This is the love of my life, Kayley. You’ll meet our little girl later. She’s with her grandma.”

Kayley blushed, proud that this big, strapping man felt comfortable saying that in front of his friend. “Nice to meet you, Cam. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Cameron shook her hand, elbowing Ben in the process. “Nice to meet you, Kayley. You’re just as beautiful as Ben described. He’s pretty whipped, you know.”

Ben burst out laughing, elbowing Cam back. “Kay, you just wait until you see him with his wife Kellie.
That
is whipped.”

Kayley laughed at their obvious affection for ribbing each other. “Well, maybe you both are whipped. Now, come on, let’s get these boxes unloaded. I have lunch made for you.”

Cam raised an eyebrow as Ben set right to work, opening the back of the truck. “See?” he mouthed to Kayley. “Whipped.” She knew she was going to enjoy being around these two.

An hour later, the friends had all of the boxes moved into her garage, and a few things moved into the house that Ben hadn’t already done previously. He had sold most of his furniture and put some things in storage. He was officially a resident of Kayley’s house. And while she had initially worried that it would be weird for him, living with her in the house that she and Alex had bought, it didn’t phase him at all. He never seemed to worry about being compared to Alex.

Kayley busied herself in the kitchen, readying the last details for lunch for the guys. She knew they had to be exhausted. She allowed herself to daydream what it was going to be like this year, at Christmas. For the first time since Alexis was born, she wouldn’t be alone on Christmas. Well, not that she was ever alone, surrounded by her family and Alex’s family and her friends, but at the end of the day, when all the food and presents were cleaned up, it had just been her. This year, she would sit around her Christmas tree with Ben and their baby girl, and feel the most content she had possibly felt, ever.

Ben came in, followed by Cam. “Man, you would think it’s August out there,” Ben complained, wiping his face with his shirt. Kayley’s eyes immediately followed his motion as he pulled his shirt away from his abs. No matter how many times she saw that man shirtless, she just couldn’t stop herself from appreciating just how delicious he was. Standing here, looking all manly and edible, made her want to leave Cam some lunch and go visit with Ben in the bedroom. “Whatcha thinkin’ about?” Ben teased, his mouth against her ear. He knew her so well.

Kayley smirked. “The same thing you’d be thinking about if I walked in here with my pink bikini on, water dripping off of me.” Ben’s mouth dropped open, and she turned away. “Ready for sandwiches?”

“Tease,” Ben grumbled good-naturedly, taking a plate from her and swatting her on the behind.

Cam shook his head, laughing as he took his plate from Kayley. “Thanks, Kayley. This was very nice of you.”

“She’s not nice,” Ben winked at Kayley.

Cameron smacked him upside the head as he walked past him, then sat down. “Dude, you better shut up if you want any chance of getting lucky tonight. Let me tell you, man, they don’t forget a thing. Ask me how I know this.”

Kayley giggled as Ben shot him a look. “Really. Kayley, do I have any problem ‘getting lucky’?”

“Ben!” Kayley shook her head. “I thought guys didn’t talk about stuff like this.”

Cam guffawed. “That’s just what we want to make you think.”

“So, I hear you have a new baby,” Kayley changed the subject.

Cameron smiled. “Yes, he was just born last month, our first. His name is Kasen.”

“And you guys are coming to the Christmas party?” Kayley sat down next to Ben with her sandwich, kissing him on the cheek. He rested his hand on her leg, stroking it.

“Wouldn’t miss it,” Cam replied. “Thanks for lunch. Speaking of, I need to get home and get on diaper duty.”

Ben stood, smacking Cam on the back. “Thanks for your help, bro. I guess I’ll get to meet your baby at the same time you meet mine. She’s the most adorable little girl you’ve ever seen. Looks just like her mom.”

Cam grinned. “Never seen you like this. It sure looks good on you. Nice work, Kayley.”

“I’ll be right back, baby,” Ben kissed her quickly, pulling her to him despite his wet shirt. “I’m going to take Cam back to his car, then take the rental truck back. When’s Lexi going to be home?”

“Should be within the hour. Mom took her to the park and to get some lunch. She’ll probably be napping when you get back, though.”

Ben pouted. Kayley loved it when he did that because she could see just how he was when he was a little boy. “I miss my Princess.”

“Well,” Kayley drawled. “Maybe once you get home, I could help you pass the time in the shower.”