Kenna’s eyes widen at my silence. “Oh my gosh. This was so presumptuous of me. I was so caught up in surprising you, I didn’t stop to think if you’d even want us to come. Griff, I can get a refund on the tickets.”
“No,” I say firmly, shaking my head. “No, that’s not happening. I want you two to come. This means so much to me, Sunshine. I’ve never loved a surprise more than this one.”
She still looks apprehensive. “Are you sure?”
I scoop the two of them into an awkward sitting hug, placing a kiss on each of their cheeks. “I’m already thinking of all the places I want to take the two of you. I’ve never been more sure of anything. This is the best Christmas present I’ve ever been given, Sunshine.”
Kenna pulls her sleeves over her hands and then tries to hide her blush behind them. Knowing she doesn’t like awkward moments, I steer the moment in a different direction.
“Alright, your turn.” I hand the small wrapped jewelry box to Kenna.
She unwraps it and slowly opens the box to find a gold chain with Cadence’s name and her aquamarine birthstone on each side of her name.
“How fitting that our daughter’s birthstone matches the exact shade of her mama’s eyes,” I suggest.
Her breath hitches before she grabs the dainty chain from the box and turns around. “Will you help me clasp it?”
“Of course,” I reply, letting my rough fingertips linger just a little longer than necessary.
Stepping back, I pull the two envelopes out of my pocket, handing one to Kenna and the other to Carse.
“What’s this? You didn’t have to get us anything,” Kenna starts, but I send her a knowing look, and she smiles in resignation.
“Should we open them together?” Carse and Kenna ask at the same time, like true twins.
“Yeah,” I reply.
They open the envelopes, and Kenna’s eyes round so big I think they’ll pop out of her head. “What? How? Are these for real?”
“G, are you serious? How the hell did you score floor tickets to Taylor Swift’s sold-out Era’s Tour?”
I don’t attempt to hold back my cocky smirk. “I know people who know people. So, do you like them?”
“Like them? What’s not to absolutely love? Tell me you got one for yourself, too!” Kenna squeals as she throws herself into my arms.
I nod my head to let her know I will also be joining them. “I, uh, actually got four tickets. Figured Katie could be there in spirit.” I scratch the slight stubble covering my jaw.
Kenna pulls back, her eyes pooling with unshed tears. “She’s always with us, but I love that you got her a ticket, Griffin.”
“I’m going to have no voice for a month after this concert,” Carse declares.
“I’m glad you love them, Sunshine. Does that date work for the two of you?” I ask, waiting for their reactions.
Carson looks down at the tickets again, then sheepishly says, “Uh, G, I don’t know how to tell you this, but your people messed up. These tickets say the concert is in July in Milan. As in Milan, Italy.”
“They didn’t mess up. We’re going to Italy for the concert.”
Kenna stiffens, taking a step back and unwrapping her arms from around my waist.
“Griff, we can’t just go to Italy. We haveCadence—”
Before she can continue to spiral, I cut her off, “I already asked your mom and Dakota if they could watch her while we’re there for the two weeks.”
“Two weeks? Griffin! That’s crazy. You’re insane. I haven’t been away from her for more than two nights at a time. There’s no way I’ll be comfortable leaving her for that long.”
“We can figure out the logistics and length of the vacation as it gets closer, Sunshine,” I placate.
Little does she know that when it comes to her, I am completely insane. Probably delusional or certifiable. Because I’m crazy enough to believe that after everything we’ve been through, maybe we could still be each other’s happy ending.
