"What?! No, no Blake this is riduclous. I'm not interested in dating anyone, even you, I have too much on my hands right now! Do you know how hard it is to raise two girls and run a business by yourself?" McKenna practically shouted.
His reply was soft and heartbreaking. "No, no I don't...I'm so sorry you had to struggle by yourself without me. I've missed so much of their lives already and I just..." Blake trailed off, his eyes glistening with frustration. "You know I would've done the same thing back then McKenna, I would've pursued you and taken responsibility for them and you. I would've done everything I could to help you raise them and realize your dreams as well. Why can't you just give me a chance to try now? Please, McKenna."
McKenna wasn't prepared for anything today apparently. Meeting Blake, being nearly proposed do, asked to date. This wasn't what she had signed up for, why did life constantly have to throw her for a loop. She just wanted to be friends...that was it.
"Friends. I can do friends for now, is that alright? Meet you half way? It's what I feel I can manage right now."
Blakes' eyes shone with excitement, "Yes, I can start there! At least it's a start," he said as he pulled her into another hug, wrapping his arms around her and holding her head to his shoulder. McKenna melted into his arms, knowing that this was more than a hug between friends but not caring, at least for the moment. She breathed in the scent of the ocean that seemed to cling to him like a lover.
"Ahem" McKenna practically leaped out of his arms at the abrupt noise. She looked sheepishly at Jessica. "So, I know you're like super busy right now with the bakery and the girls will be out of school around 3. Maybe we could help out around here while we wait for them to get out?" Jessica said.
"Yeah, umm...I need someone to check the bathrooms, they can run low on things this time of day. Then I need someone to bus the tables. Is that alright? You could always just sit back and relax as well, I'm sure I have a booth open somewhere."
Jessica scoffed, "Yeah, Me sit still without coffee or treats. No, I know you need the help so I'm just going to help out. I'll check the bathrooms then start bussing if Mr. Pearson would like to do some of his own work. Being a CEO is hard work I'm guessing."
Blake shook his head. "I took the week off of work. I needed time to process and meet you and the girls. I'll start bussing tables if you have an apron I could use. This suit is one of a kind and my assistant would kill me if I ruined it."
McKenna went to her closet and pulled out an apron and a shirt. Handing it to him she asked Jessica "Do you still have your set in the locker room?" "Yeah, I'll change before I get started." The two smiled and hugged before Jessica left the room. McKenna looked at Blake. "You can change in here, just lock the door when I leave. I only have one locker room and the guys all change at home so the gals can use it."
"Yeah, that's fine. I'll see you out there. And McKenna, thank you for looking for me. For finding me. You're right in that I wanted to know about you and the girls. I looked for you but not as long as I should have apparently."
She was shocked by his confession but didn't show it as she just gave him a small smile and said "Of course you should know. I'm just sorry I didn't find you sooner."
McKenna left the office and went back to the kitchen, her mind spinning as she replayed their encounter. Brittany let her know where she was at with baking the pastries and McKenna thanked her as she left to go help the other baristas.
McKenna nearly burnt her hand as she was making the cream cheese icing for the cinnamon rolls and had to stop for a second to collect her thoughts. It was time to work now, she needed to complete the day and then she could let her thoughts run wild. She took a deep breath and said a quick prayer asking for guidance and peace and went back to making the icing and piping it onto the pastries.
The day flew by with everyone working together to run the bakery. At 2:30 McKenna started cleaning and closing up the kitchen. She had a sign posted out front today that they were closing early so she knew her customers would understand as she started turning off the ovens and putting out the last of the pastries. As she guessed, everyone started purchasing what they wanted for the next day and leaving the bakery.
She had a special agreement with the girls school to have them dropped off at the bakery after school everyday and she had until 3:30 to get the bakery closed and be ready for what she knew would be a very emotional meeting. At 3:15 everyone left the bakery, saying their goodbyes and good lucks. McKenna looked up to see that Jessica and Blake had changed back into their clothes.
"They're going to be excited and rambunctious when they come in I'm sure. They've been asking about you for several years now." Blake looked at her as he straightened his tie for the fifth time. "I just hope I'm what they're expecting, I've always wanted to be a father but I don't think I'm ready." Blake said sadly.
McKenna walked up to him and gave him another hug. He rested his head on her shoulder and sighed heavily as she rubbed his back with her hands. "No one is ever truly ready to become a parent. You just have to give it your all and do your best, knowing that God will provide the rest of what you need." "What if I don't have God though?" "McKenna looked up at him with a gentle smile.
"I didn't either at first. I tried to do everything on my own and I was so overwhelmed. But He found me, sent me to a good daycare that was run by my church I go to now and I met the most wonderful women who lifted me up and taught me about Him. And now I can't imagine a day without Christ helping me through. It's harder when you don't feel like you need Him for anything to come to Him but He always finds a way to reach you."
Blake nodded thoughtfully as he looked at her, his eyes sparkling suspiciously. "I guess that could be true. It's been a long time since I've been at church. I stopped going after my parents left us with my grandparents." There was silence as McKenna thought of what she could say. "I guess you have a reason to come now. The girls are going to want to show you off to everyone we know." "Yeah, that's a good enough reason for now." Blake replied.
Just then the bus pulled up in front of the bakery. Blake straightened up and looked out the window expectantly.
"Well, are you ready?" McKenna asked Blake. "As ready as I'll ever be," came the reply.