Page 29 of Second Chance at Love (Chance At Love Duet 1)

Chapter Nine

Five hours later, there I was getting my kids and myself ready for Lena’s birthday party. Kristoff was picking us up, which was even more annoying than having no say in going to a birthday party. I looked my kids over, and they looked cute. They always did. Sierra had wild blonde curls and baby blue eyes that could break your heart if she decided to cry to get what she wanted. As fair as Sierra was, Saoirse was her contrast with her dark hair and even darker expressive eyes that were always full of spark and mischief. Sienna, on the other hand, was something in between my youngest two. She had long straight blonde hair, light olive skin and almond shaped eyes in the color of honey.

Then I looked down at myself. I had a pair of forest green pants, a white crew boatneck top, and a pair of white dress flats. Far from Kristoff’s dress preference, I thought for no reason. It is not like I was trying to please him.

My phone beeped, and I went over to check, hoping it was a cancellation message. But no, of course not. It was a text message from Kristoff saying he was on his way.

“Why did I let this happen?” I grumbled to myself. I went over to the gifts I bought for Lena, and started wrapping them. Like it wasn’t bad enough I was going to my boss’ mother’s birthday party with my kids, now he was picking me up too so I would be stuck there till he is ready to bring me back. Damn it, again!

After I tried to argue with Kristoff for twenty minutes against the need to pick me up, I finally gave up, and just gave him my address. Man was the worst, always insisting on getting his way.

Satisfied with my wrapping, I went into the kitchen and started emptying the dishwasher. Sierra came up to me and tried helping, as always. After she put the silverware away, I lifted her up and sat her on the counter, a smile beaming on her face.

I heard a car pull up and Saoirse ran to the door and opened it.

“Saoirse, you cannot just open the door for anyone.” Before I was even able to finish the sentence, she was out the door. “Sienna!” I shouted. “Go after your sister.”

Sienna came out of the living room and went to our kitchen entrance just as Kristoff and Saoirse walked in.

“Hi,” Sienna said to him grumpy, and then she turned to her sister. “Saoirse, stop running out without permission.”

“Sienna, you are not the boss of me,” Saoirse shot back with a challenging glare.

“Someone is going to take you,” Sienna went right back to her.

“You two, stop it right now,” I said. Kristoff kneeled down as Saoirse pulled his sleeve. She leaned closer and whispered something into his ear, which made him laugh. He whispered back, and whatever he said put a big smile on Saoire’s face.

Sierra added with a delayed reaction, “Top it, Sierra.”

“Hi Kristoff,” I said to my boss. “Let me just grab the car seats out of the garage, and we are ready.”

“No rush,” he said smiling. Sierra waved to him. I put her down, and she went to him for her thumb cheers sign and put her thumb against his. “Cheers, baby.”

“Me too. Me too,” added Saoirse. And they were all cheering thumbs.

“Sienna, please come and grab Saoirse’s booster seat and I’ll get Sierra’s car seat.”

We went into the garage, and I went to grab Sierra’s car seat out of Jack’s truck that sat in one of the bays. As I struggled to climb into my late husband’s truck, Kristoff grabbed my waist. “Hey, let me. It'll be easier if I do it.”

I pulled out of the truck, and I bumped into his hard body.

“Ah, thank you,” I whispered, as I stepped aside. Sienna easily grabbed the bottom booster seat for Saoirse and was already in the house.

“Is this your truck?” Kristoff asked, unhooking the security hatches of the car seat.

Stepping a few feet back to allow him to get the seat out, I shook my head. “It was my husband’s. Sienna gets upset every time I talk about getting rid of it.”

“I see,” he murmured, as he carried the seat effortlessly, and I opened the door that led us back into the house. I wasn’t sure what he saw, but I didn’t comment further as I followed him to his beautiful and expensive Land Rover.

“Kristoff, are you sure you want to put these car seats into your car?” I asked. “They can leave a mark on the seat.”

“I’m sure, Gemma,” he sounded like my worry was ridiculous before adding, “It is just a car.” After he was satisfied it was secure, he grabbed the other one Sienna was holding and put that one in. While he was doing that, the kids were running around the yard.

“Is this your house?” he asked and I looked at him in surprise.

“Well, I wouldn’t be living here if it wasn’t,” I answered.

“I’m a little bit surprised.”

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