Page 45 of Blame It On the Lattes

Kennedy stayed glued to his side like a little baby koala, too afraid to let go. I took a moment to lock the memory of him holding her right now into my heart because this was something I would never want to forget.

“I know your dream must have felt really scary, sweetie,” Sam started, making eye contact with Kennedy as she barely lifted her head to see him. “But I promise, no one will ever take you from your mommy.”

“How do you know? What if my dad comes back and tries to take me just to hurt Mommy?”

“Even if he did, he would have to get through me first.”

“And he can’t do that because you’re strong?”

“The strongest.”

“And you protect me and Mommy?”

“Always and forever.”

“And even if daddy came back, you would stop him?”

“If your daddy ever came back, your mom would take care of things. There are a lot of things that are for adults to worry about, and this would be one of them. But no matter what, I would be there to take care of your mommy.”

“And the baby?”

I leaned forward and frowned, confused about this turn of events.

“What baby?” I asked.

“The baby in your tummy. Uncle Sam’s baby. You guys would protect that baby too, right?”

I felt all of the color drain from my face. This was too much. Way too much to process or deal with right now.

She had just barely seen us kissing a few minutes ago, so why was she having a dream that I was carrying his child?

Twenty-Three

Avery

“She what?” Cassidyhissed as we walked through the Frosty Fest sipping lattes. Kennedy walked in front of us, snuggled between Amelia and Ron as she held their hands and swung them high in the air.

---