Picture Perfect

Chapter 71: Surprises All Around

          Turning her alarm off at 8:15, Deagan climbs out of bed, taking a refreshing shower changing her clothes before walking downstairs—the kids still asleep. Her phone dings, a message from Chase, "Just landed, can't wait to hold you and kiss my babies."

          Deagan smiles, "We can't wait either. Well, I don't know about your kids, they're still asleep."

          "They're still asleep? Lazy asses," Chase texts back.

          Deagan smiles, sliding her phone in her back pocket as she makes her way to the kitchen—getting started on breakfast.

          With sausage and eggs keeping warm in the microwave, Deagan is finishing up pancakes making enough since Chase, Cameron, and Mike should be arriving soon. Turning the stove off, hearing the front door open and talking commence.

          "Babe?" Chase calls out.

          "I'm in here," Deagan answers, placing the rest of the pancakes on a plate.

          "Try not to be gross," Cameron winks, the trio walking into the kitchen.

          "Hey guys," Deagan smiles, greeting everyone then kissing Chase's cheek.

          "It smells good in here momma," Chase admires, kissing her cheek a couple of times.

          Deagan smiles with his comment, "thank you."

          "Are they still asleep?" Chase asks, pouring himself a glass of orange juice.

          "Yep, out like lights," Deagan smiles.

          "I'll go wake them up," Cameron smiles rubbing his hands together and disappearing from the kitchen.

          Deagan, Mike, and Chase set the table and talking amongst themselves, all of the sudden screaming coming from the upstairs. Myah and Taylor are running down the stairs screaming and smiling, Cameron chasing after them.

           "Cameron, please don't kill my kids," Chase sighs.

          "Guys be careful," Deagan pleads.

          "Daddy!" Myah and Taylor screaming when they see Chase.

          "Hey," Chase smiles, hugging his kids. "Come on Deagan made pancakes."

          "Pancakes!" Taylor screams.

          Later that night, Chase upstairs helping Mariah and Taylor get dressed since Deagan is taking them all out for dinner, Deagan, Mike and Cameron downstairs.

          "So you ready for tonight?" Cameron asks Deagan, the big surprise tonight.

          "Yeah I am," she smiles. "I have a few tricks up my sleeve tonight."

          "He's gonna love it Deagan," Cameron pats her arm. "I'm telling you, a wedding ring is in your future."

          Deagan rolls her eyes, the big McCormick and the two little McCormick's walking down the stairs. "You guys ready?" Deagan asks.

          They all nod.

          Pulling up to the surprise location, Chase looks around—the place packed as he has no idea Chase and Cameron's family and friends are inside. Cameron having no idea either. It's still daylight, the covered sign not being revealed and helping with the surprise.

          "Damn this place is packed D," Chase says getting out of the car.

          "Daddy you said a bad work," Myah scolds.

         "Sorry hun," picking her up.

          "I have a reservation, let's go inside," Deagan smiles. She turns, winking at Cameron as they walk up the stairs and into the building.

          Chase walks in, still carrying Myah as the restaurant is dark. "What the h..."

          "SURPRISE!" the lights come on, a huge mass of people in the dimly lit restaurant.

          "What's going on?" Chase smiles, looking at Deagan.

          Deagan digs keys out of her purse, "Welcome to Chase's Place babe," she smiles. "Happy birthday," leaning in and kissing Chase softly on the lips.

          "What?" Chase smiles.

          "It's yours."

          "Did you know about this?" Chase asks his brother.

          "Guilty," Cameron smirks,

          "You didn't have to do this," Chase smiles at her, leaning down and kissing her again.

          "I wanted to," hugging him, Chase tearing up. "Babe don't," Deagan smiles, wiping Chase's eyes. "I love you," she smiles. "And I'm not forgetting about you Cameron, I also have this," she hands him a set of keys.

          "This is a sweet gesture, but I don't live here," Cameron smiles, taking the keys.

          "These aren't for here," Deagan smiles. "These are your keys....for McCormick's Place Mr. General Manager."

          Chase smiles big.

          "You're shitting me right?" Cameron smiling wide looking at the keys.

          "Uncle Cameron!" Myah shouts.

          "Sorry baby," Cameron laughs. "Let me rephrase, you're kidding right?"

          "No kidding is coming out of my mouth," Deagan winks. "You are seriously the General Manager of McCormick's Place. Congratulations," Deagan kissing his cheek.

          "Thank you so much," Cameron beams, leaning down hugging her.

          "You're welcome," Deagan hugs him, patting his back.

         "Come outside I want to show you the sign," Deagan says grabbing Chase's hand, steering him toward the door. Once outside standing in front of the restaurant she signals one of the employees to pull the rope that will release the sheet over the sign. It falls revealing a well-handcrafted sign in an elegant script resting a few feet above the doors. Deagan feels his arms slide around her waist, pulling her into him, lips pressing against her temple.

          "So do you like it?" Deagan asks.

          "No," Chase says flatly.

         She looks up at him confused.

          "I absolutely love it," he smiles leaning down and kissing her deeply.

          "Being sneaky works up an appetite, can we go eat now?" Deagan smiles.

          Laughing, Chase nods his head kissing her forehead, "Yes my evil, sneaky girlfriend we can go eat now."