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24.

"So, I'll pick Lea up from school at three, we'll have dinner around five, when you get back. We've decided on pizza, right? And then we can head to the open house when your mom gets here." Stefani looked up from her phone where she'd typed up an itinerary in Notes. "Fuck," she cursed, bringing her head up sharply to make certain Lea didn't overhear, "should've scheduled in a moment to breathe, I guess."

"Hey, hey," Bradley pulled her to him, kissing her forehead comfortingly, "we're in, all of us, as a team, alright? I could always ask my mother if she wouldn't mind picking Lea up at school, that way you could squeeze in a nap in between meetings. I could swing by and get her afterward."

"You don't know what time you'll be finished," she shook her head, "and besides, I love getting her from school. Everyone's very kind there and she tells me all about her day in the car. It's special," she stole a glance at the little girl who'd hurriedly finished breakfast and was running around the kitchen with the dogs at her heels. "We can always sneak in a nap together."

Amused, they watched her giggle as Gustavo bathed her in kisses. "Can't tell who likes the cuddles more, you or Lea."

She smiled, starting to load the dishwasher. "She won't want to cuddle with me someday so I'll take it while I can get it."

They spoke about the future with such frequency these days that it was just a fact of nature now but there were still moments that made his heart skip; the way he'd found a woman who not only wanted to be with him but who loved his child as well.

"I don't think that's ever going to happen. She adores you. And so do I." Gently, he pulled her to him for a kiss, bowl in hand and all.

"You're going to kill it today." Stefani said to him when they parted. "Don't be nervous."

It was easier said than done. He and Dave were scheduled to meet that morning to go over their proposed business plan and then head over to their meeting at the bank. His friend was fairy confident they would be able to get a loan easily but if he were being honest, it wasn't obtaining the money to open up a place that was concerning him; it was everything else in between.

"I am, a little," he admitted, trying to keep his tone light. "Not so much if they say no. More if they give us the go-ahead ahead." He sighed, fiddling with his necktie, "I'm not making much sense, am I?"

"You're making perfect sense," she reassured him. "Here, let me." With deft fingers, she fixed the knot. "There."

"It's perfect. How am I not surprised you're an expert tie tier, too?"

She smiled toothily, "my dad went into the office everyday with a suit and tie on and he showed me a bunch of different knots. My parents thought Nat and I should know everything."

"Very smart," Bradley murmured, kissing her forehead. "Okay, I'm going to drop our little lady off to school and then I'll run to Dave's. Wish me luck?"

"Good luck, baby," she pulled him to her by his lapel, planting a brief but sweet kiss on his lips. "But you don't need it. You got this."

She sounded far more convinced than he felt.

***

A few hours later, he found himself staring at his phone screen, her text message blurred in his teary vision.

How did it go? Do we have a celebration in order tonight?

It was followed not quite a minute later by If you'd rather tell me in person, that's okay, too! No pressure. Either way, I'm so proud of you. I love you.

He took a gulp of crisp air, pausing on his walk to answer.

I'm going to run a few errands and meet you at home. We can talk then. I hope your day is going well. I love you.