Chapter 34

Isabella could feel Kelsey's arm around her middle. She didn't know which was better, to wake up with Kelsey's arm around her or her arms around Kelsey.

After their impromptu commitment ‘moment' last night, their hearts were on fire. Isabella could feel Kelsey's love in every touch. Whether it was her lips, her hands, her tongue, or her body: it was all love. She had never felt desire like that nor had she ever felt so loved. It was incredible and Isabella knew it was only the beginning.

She sighed contentedly and pushed back into Kelsey, wanting to get closer. This was what she imagined being in love was supposed to feel like. With Spencer she had thought she was being foolish and that her ideas of love were those of the romances in novels or in the movies. What they had was real life and not like that. But was she ever wrong! She had found that fairytale kind of love with Kelsey. She was her person. She was love.

Isabella felt Kelsey's arm slide away and she grabbed her hand and grumbled, "Mmm, where are you going?"

"I'm going to make breakfast for the boys," Kelsey said softly, kissing just below Isabella's ear.

Isabella quickly rolled over. "We could give them a PopTart and do something a little more fun." She pulled Kelsey"s lips to hers and hungrily kissed her.

"Good morning to you, too." Kelsey chuckled as she pulled away.

Isabella smiled. "God, I love kissing you."

"Mmmm," Kelsey murmured and pressed their lips together again. "I love it, too."

"But…" Isabella sighed. "You're going to get out of this bed to make breakfast, aren't you?"

"You don't have to get up yet," Kelsey said. "Pancakes or waffles?"

"They love waffles." Isabella smiled and ran her fingers along Kelsey's cheek. "I'm spending every second I can with you today." She kissed Kelsey again and threw the covers back. "We could shower together," she suggested, getting out of the bed.

Kelsey shook her head. "You know I can't resist you, but…"

"Okay, okay. Let's make breakfast." Isabella grinned.

Kelsey went into the kitchen to start breakfast while Isabella woke the boys. It didn't take them long to get ready for the day.

As she walked down the hall, Isabella couldn't help but think that this is how it would be every day, someday. She didn't know when or where they would end up, but she and Kelsey were already making a life together.

Once the boys found out Kelsey was making waffles they quickly got ready for school and joined them in the kitchen.

"Thanks for making us waffles," Wyatt said, stuffing a big bite in his mouth.

"You're welcome," Kelsey said. "You know, waffles aren't as good when they're reheated, so here's one more." She plopped the last waffle on Wyatt's plate and grinned.

"I'm so full," Gus said, draining what was left of the milk in his glass.

"That has to be the best milk mustache I've ever seen," Kelsey teased him.

He grabbed his napkin and wiped his mouth. "How long until we get to see you again?"

"It's not that long," Kelsey said. "The time will fly."

Isabella frowned at her. "I doubt it."

"It's less than two weeks away," Kelsey said. "Dana and Emma can't wait for you to get there."

"Okay," Isabella said. "Finish up so we can get to school on time."

Kelsey began to clear the plates away and put them in the sink while the boys got their backpacks.

"I have a request," Kelsey said. "Can I get a hug from each of you before we get to school? I won't be here when you get home."

Gus wrapped his arms around Kelsey's middle and smiled up at her.

"Thanks, Gus. You give great hugs," Kelsey said.

Kelsey held out one arm to give Wyatt a side hug, but instead he put both arms around her. "I'm glad you came to visit."

It was clear to Isabella that both Wyatt and Gus loved Kelsey. They had to figure this out sooner rather than later because Kelsey made them all happy.

Isabella drove the boys to school and Kelsey went along. Once they'd dropped them off, Kelsey turned to Isabella. "Did you see Wyatt give me a hug?"

"I did." Isabella smiled.

"I couldn't believe it. I thought side hugs were the thing now with teenagers," Kelsey said.

"He loves you, Kels. So does Gus. I can already tell."

Kelsey sighed. "I love them."

"It's a good thing because they come with me," Isabella teased.

Kelsey chuckled. "I have a couple that come with me."

They got back to the house and cleaned up the kitchen together.

"I've got an idea. We'll use the island as our work space," Isabella said, getting her computer out of her bag.

"I only have a couple of things to do. It won't take long."

"We both work from home so we'll have to be disciplined about our jobs," Isabella said. "You can have this end and this side of the island."

"Okay." Kelsey got her computer out and opened it.

"I'll be at this end across from you. I'll work, but it will be nice to look up and see you down there. No kisses. If we start that we won't get anything done."

"My, oh my," Kelsey said. "So many rules."

Isabella chuckled. "Get to work so we can play before I have to take you to the airport."

They both got to work and a short time later the doorbell rang.

"Oh," Isabella said, walking towards the front door. "It's Spencer."

"Hey," he said, walking into the living area. "Wyatt left his hoodie at my house and I thought he might need it."

Isabella furrowed her brow. The boys had clothes at both of their houses.

"Hi, Kelsey," Spencer said, walking further into the room. "You're still here."

"Hi, Spencer," Kelsey replied with a friendly smile. "Yep."

Isabella could feel the annoyance building inside her. Spencer rarely came by her house and his nonchalance was irritating.

"I wondered if I might talk to you for a minute," Spencer said, turning to Isabella.

"I have a call I need to make," Kelsey said. "I'll be out on the patio."

Isabella smiled at Kelsey and almost stopped her, but knew it would be better to talk to Spencer alone and send him on his way.

"Uh, I thought we had agreed to check with each other before the boys met someone new," Spencer said.

"Do you mean Kelsey? She's not new. The boys know her. They talk to her every week and have since this marketing project began. This is the first time they've met in person, but they know her."

"Hmm," Spencer murmured.

Isabella had an uneasy feeling in her stomach. "We're all going on a family vacation in a couple of months, Spence. I've given you the schedule. We've talked about this. Kelsey's daughters are going with us."

He nodded. "I remember, Isabella," he said testily.

"Then what's the problem?"

"I don't know," he said. "She seems nice, but I hadn't thought about her being around the boys. That's all."

Isabella furrowed her brow. "Why would that be an issue?"

"She's gay, right?"

"And?" Isabella said.

"I don't know," he said, frustrated. "I'm not sure I want the boys around gay people."

"Excuse me?" Isabella said, the hair on the back of her neck beginning to stand up. "Since when?"

"Since we don't have any gay friends," Spencer said.

"Yeah, we do. The boys do," Isabella said.

"Who? Kids from school? We don't hang out with those people."

"Spencer," Isabella said, taking a deep breath. "Wyatt has a friend with two moms and Gus has a kid in his class with two dads. They have been in school together since the first grade. You know this. What's going on?"

Spencer sighed. "I guess I didn't realize the boys would be spending this much time with Kelsey. I don't really know why it's bothering me. She seems nice."

"She is nice," Isabella said. "The boys like her and she likes the boys. What is the big deal?"

Spencer shrugged.

Isabella looked through the window and could see Kelsey on the patio. This wasn't the time to tell Spencer about them, but she wasn't going to let him talk shit about Kelsey either.

"Thanks for bringing the hoodie by. I'll be sure and let Wyatt know," Isabella said, hoping Spencer would get the hint.

"Sure."

"Is there someone you need to tell me about?" Isabella asked, deciding to turn things around on him. She couldn't keep up with all the women Spencer had dated since the divorce and didn't want to.

"No," he said, walking towards the front door. "She just doesn't seem like your other friends."

If he only knew.

"She's not," Isabella replied, opening the door.

"See ya," he said.

Isabella closed the door and stood there for a moment. She wondered if he could feel the love between her and Kelsey. Or was he jealous because the boys liked Kelsey? She let out a deep breath. It was time to explain things to Wyatt and Gus. She wasn't about to hide her love for Kelsey, but then again, they couldn't hide it anyway.

"You can drop me off," Kelsey said.

"Nope," Isabella said, pulling into a parking space. "I told you, I'm coming in with you."

Before they got out of the car Kelsey reached for Isabella's hand. "I think I should stay."

Isabella smiled at her. "Are you my protector now?"

"No." Kelsey shook her head. "You don't need a protector. But you are going to have a couple of hard conversations. What if you need me to hold you?"

"I always need you to hold me," Isabella said. "It won't be hard with the boys and if I need a hug they will do the job until we're in Denver."

Kelsey sighed. "I know you need to do this on your own and in your own way, but you're not alone."

"I know that," Isabella said, leaning over and kissing Kelsey softly. "I'll never be alone again."

Kelsey nodded.

They both got out of the car and Kelsey took her bag from the back seat.

"I'll walk you to security then maybe we'll make out and cause a scene," Isabella teased.

"I know what you're doing," Kelsey said, reaching for Isabella's hand as they crossed the street.

"What am I doing? Am I trying to find my courage so I won't cry when you walk through that security gate?"

"Just know that if you cry then I'll cry and it will be an even bigger scene," Kelsey said.

Isabella chuckled. "We are so fucking sappy."

As they neared the security checkpoint Isabella said, "I put something in your suitcase for when you get home. Don't forget to take a picture when you get to your seat."

"And I'll call you when I get home," Kelsey added.

They faced each other and Isabella smiled. "I love you."

Kelsey swallowed the lump in her throat. "I love you, babe."

They pressed their lips together in a tender kiss and held each other for a moment.

"See you next month." Isabella smiled.

"See you next month," Kelsey replied.

Kelsey went into her bedroom and sighed. It was so quiet. She'd just gotten off the phone with Isabella and the boys.

Isabella had recounted how she had explained to the boys that Kelsey was her girlfriend. She said the biggest smile grew on Wyatt's face and his response had been, "That's so cool, Mom."

Gus had asked her if they held hands and kissed sometimes. Isabella had answered yes, as she held in her laughter.

The other thing they wanted to know was if that meant they'd get to see Kelsey more often. She and Isabella agreed that from now on Kelsey would be spending a few days in Charlotte around their monthly trips.

Kelsey couldn't believe all the emotions of the day. Leaving Isabella at the airport had been one of the hardest things she'd ever done.

That was followed by what had to be one of the happiest moments of her life so far. The boys wanted to know if Dana and Emma were part of their family now since Kelsey was.

Tears stung the back of Kelsey's eyes as she opened her suitcase. She blinked a few times unsure of what she was seeing.

There, on top of her clothes, was the shirt Isabella had slept in last night.

"Oh, baby."

Kelsey picked it up and pressed it to her face, inhaling deeply. She could smell the sweet scent of Isabella. Her heart clenched in her chest as the happy tears began to fall, but then a sharp pang of longing almost took her breath away.

At that moment Kelsey realized what she had to do.