Love in the Kitchen

Chapter 12

Chelsee' POV
"Are you ready?" Ryan said as he made his way through the door of my office. He sat down in one of the chairs in front of my desk and placed his arms on his knees.
"I think so." I said with a nod. He chuckled as I made eye contact with him.
"You're going to be great. Remember this was all you Chelsee. You raised this business from the bottom up. All on your own and with no one else's help. This was you, don't ever forget that." He gave me one of his giant smiles and my door opened once more. We both looked back and Clint walked in.
"Is everything ok?" He said as he looked between us.
"Oh you know, just Chelsee and I trying to come up with a way for us to finally be together. You've destroyed all my plans." I started to laugh as Clint just stared at Ryan. Ryan laughed and smacked him on the shoulder. "Chelsee's just being a worry wart and was needing some calming down." Clint laughed slightly and nodded. "But the rest of the job is yours I'm afraid my friend. I can't do what you can." He winked at me and headed out the door.
"Why are you worried?" He said as he walked around my desk and leaned into it.
"Mr. Adams called this morning and said he's got a bunch of reporters to come for this. It's made me scared to death. What if I say something stupid or make a fool of myself."I said as I put my head in my hands. Clint grabbed my arm and pulled me up so I was eye level with him.
"You could never make a fool of yourself. They'd be crazy to think other wise. You're brilliant Chelsee, not a lot of people could be as strong as you have been for all of this. Chelsee look at all of the great things you've accomplished. Good grief you take care of kids on top of it and make it look effortless." He held the sides of my face and brushed his thumb over my cheek.
"Thank you." He smiled and then gently kissed my forehead. "I can do this." I took a deep breath and stepped back from him. I took this moment to take in his appearance. He had slacks on, along with a dress shirt with a sweater over the top. He slightly rolled his sleeves up his forearm. "You look extremely handsome today." His smile grew as I eyed him once more.
"I'm honored you think so. Gotta make sure I don't shame myself while standing next to you." He said with a laugh. I shook my head at him.
"You could wear a plain shirt and basketball shorts and still look sexy. So there's no worries there." I went to walk away and my things but he stopped me and placed his hand on the small of my back to pull me closer to him. He leaned forward and slightly grazed his nose up my neck. It sent chills all up and down my body. He came softly hovered over my lips. "Kiss me already." He made a deep throaty chuckle.
"Impatient are we?" We both laughed as I nodded and he finally met my request. The sense of comfort that ran through my body that this kiss gave, made me feel like I could run the world. "Are you ready to show these people all you got?" I nodded with a smile as he kissed me once more.

Clint's POV
"I feel so blessed and honored that I'm able to bring something so great into our community. I fully believe that having the new rink and resort here will bring great opportunities to our younger generation. Thank you again for all of the support you've given to make this a reality." Chelsee grabbed the gold shovel from Mr. Adams and then took a small scoop from the ground in front of the podium. Everyone began clapping. I couldn't have been more proud of her. She had no reason to worry earlier. Her confidence exudes from her up there. I walked up to the stairs and gave her my hand to assist her with walking down in her giant heels she had on.
"You did amazing?" I said as she smiled at me when she reached the last step.
"Thank you, I'm surprised the stage didn't begin to raddle with how much I was shaking." She nervously laughed and we headed to the car to drive back to the restaurant.
"It didn't show. You really looked cool and calm" She laced her arm through mine and we carefully walked until we were at the car.
"Would you drive. I'm still a little to nervous right now?" I nodded and lead her to the door and opened it for her. She gracefully slid in and then I quickly hurried to the other side after shutting her door. "Did my mom come and get Chloee already?" She asked as I got into the car and started it.
"Yeah, she came in the middle of your speech. She started to cry and said she loved seeing you like that. I asked if she wanted to stay but, she said no because in her words. The flood gates have been opened now." Chelsee laughed at that last part.
"Yeah my mom has never been able to keep herself from crying once it starts." She leaned back in her seat and took a deep breathe.
"So what's next? Are we eating yet? Cause I could eat a cow right now." She chuckled lightly as we pulled into the restuarant.
"I'm afraid not quite yet. We have to do some press before anything and then I'll make sure you get fed." She said and then winked at me as I got out of the car. I came around to her side and opened up her door. She took my hand and glided out the door. I looped her arm through mine as we walked towards the restaurant.
"So is any of your family coming to this?" I asked curiously. I thought it was strange that none of her family had come yet or stayed for that matter. She nodded as we walked the the stairs.
"My brothers are coming, they should be on their way I think." I nodded as we headed to the reception area where a few of the reporters were already ready setting up. Chelsee began walking towards a pair of men that were standing on the other side of the room. Both had giant smiles on their faces and the tallest wrapped her up in a hug taking her from my hold.
"Well sis, you've outdone yourself. I'm really proud of ya." It makes sense now, these must be the brothers. The other one brought her into a hug after the other let go of her. "Now is this the guy moms been talking about nonstop?" Chelsee looked back at me and nodded.
"Yeah this is Clint guys." She pulled me forward by my arm. "Clint these are my brothers Jake and Forrest." She pointed to each of them and they both shook my hand.
"Declan was saying you play hockey." Forrest had said.
"I used to yeah, I told him I'd hit the ice with him if he wanted." They both laughed.
"Good cause we're both hopeless when it comes to being on skates." I laughed as they smacked each other on the arm. "This is my wife Lacey." Forrest said as he pulled his wife towards me. She lightly shook my and Jakes wife stepped towards me.
"I'm Jeni, it's great to finally meet you. Skylar says you're her favorite class." We shook hands as one of the photographers came to us before I could say anything back.
"Chelsee is it alright if we could take a few pictures of you and your significant other?" My eyebrows shot up from that. I wasn't really expecting that.
"Are you okay with that?" She asked me worriedly.
"Of course I am. How could I not be okay to take a picture with a beauty like you?" She chuckled and pulled me over where the reporter wanted us to stand. I wrapped my arm around her and she placed her hand on my chest. They took several pictures and then asked how to spell out my name. The rest of the day went on without any issue. More pictures were taken and Chelsee gave several interviews and I somehow got roped into one. They had the luncheon and everyone parted ways. Chelsee was in her element in all of it though. It was great to see her like that. She was the leader and everyone listened to her intently. We were heading over to the house for her to change into some more comfortable clothes and I talked with Skylar and Declan at the table while they did their homework.
"So how'd she do today?" Skylar asked.
"Awesome, they were eating out of her hands the entire day." She chuckled.
"Of course they were. They always do." We all laughed as Chelsee walked into the kitchen.
"What's so funny?" She asked as she gave Declan a side hug.
"Oh nothing." Skylar shook her head and went on with her work. "Where's Chloee?"
"Grandma's bringing her soon. They had a grandma and Chloee day." Chelsee chuckled as she headed towards the fridge and started pulling things out. "You guys want an apple?" They both nodded and she tossed one at both of them. They continued on as I came over to see what she was throwing together. Before long Chloee was back she decided to climb up my leg and make me give her a piggy back ride. Chelsee smiled at us and returned to what she was doing. I played around with her for a while until the other kids finished and took over for me. I joined Chelsee back in the kitchen where a wonderful smell was coming and also music now. She was swaying back an forth at the stove. I grabbed her hand quick and pulled her into me. She laughed as I twirled her around the kitchen. Every once in a while I'd let her reach out to stir what she had cooking. When she finally finished I helped her get dinner set and we ate together. It feels good to have a family setting like this. I never had anything like this with mine. After dinner the kids helped clean up as Chelsee saw me off since I had school in the morning. "Thank you so much for being there for me today. It means so much to me." I leaned in and gave her a slow kiss.
"Anytime." I gave her one more kiss before I pulled away. "I'll talk to you tomorrow. Sleep well." She smiled and nodded.
"You too." I waved as I got into the car and headed home.