“Yuck!” Emma exclaimed.
Gus turned around and laughed. “You didn’t mean that.”
Kelsey couldn’t keep from smiling at their playful banter. As soon as Isabella and the boys had landed in Denver, Dana and Emma had made sure the boys were having a good time.
“Be careful, Dana. You’re hauling precious cargo, including yourself,” Kelsey said.
“Precious cargo?” Wyatt asked.
“We are precious to our moms,” Dana explained.
“Oh, we’re the cargo,” he replied and chuckled.
“Have fun!” Isabella said.
“Bye Moms!” Emma yelled over the roar of the engine as Dana drove away.
Kelsey rolled her eyes and shook her head.
Isabella chuckled. “She loves saying that.”
“Yes, she does.”
“Sitting on a bench kissing you sounds like a great idea to me,” Isabella said.
Kelsey put her arm through Isabella’s and led them to the trail. “This has been the best weekend. I’m so glad you’re here.”
“It’s been fun meeting your family. Your mom is adorable,” Isabella said.
“She is a go-getter.”
“Are you sure she doesn’t mind staying with your brother?”
“No, she stays with both of us when she comes to visit. She was with me for three days before you and the boys got here and she’ll finish her visit with my brother’s family,” Kelsey explained.
“Oh, this is beautiful,” Isabella said, sitting down.
Kelsey sat next to her and reached for her hand. She intertwined their fingers then gazed out at the view.
“It’s so beautiful here,” Isabella said. “How could you ever leave it?”
“You’re not here,” Kelsey replied, looking over at her.
“What?”
“You asked how I could leave Colorado. I could because you’re not here.” Kelsey turned so she could face Isabella. “I want to be with you, Bella. I don’t mean long distance or just when we’re in the Virgin Islands.”
Isabella furrowed her brow. “Are you saying you’d move to Charlotte?”
Kelsey nodded. “I have nothing keeping me here.”
“What about your family?”
Kelsey smiled and cradled Isabella’s face between her hands. “You’re my family.” She leaned in and softly pressed her lips to Isabella’s. “Emma will be in DC and that’s a lot closer to Charlotte than Denver. And Dana has accepted a job at a hospital in Richmond, Virginia for the next six months.”
“That’s only four hours from Charlotte,” Isabella said with a hopeful look.
“I know you have to stay in Charlotte because of the custody agreement. I want to be with you,” Kelsey said.