While still clenching the bracelet, I feel the peace it brings to my heart. Something about it is familiar, it eases my soul. So for now, even if I don’t know anything about my life and the course it will run with Blake, I keep him close every night when I hold these charms.

And something within me knows I’ll continue to hold on until there’s a reason not to.

I belt out a laugh as I walk out of my bedroom to start cooking for the much anticipated breakfast. I see all three girls running around the living room, dressed like they’re about to attend prom. We’ve had lots of dress up outfits over the years that now reside in trunks on the floor of Rylie’s closet. Most of them are dresses covered in sequins, which I see my daughters have chosen as their attire for this morning.

Nycole’s dressed in a bright red sequined “clapper” dress that she wore last year for Halloween. Complete with matching feather.

Kyndall’s dressed in an old hot pink dance dress with black polka dots and black sequined trim. Complete with black tap shoes…which are not quiet as she runs around on the tile in the hallway.

Rylie’s dressed in her favorite Sleeping Beauty dress and matching plastic Sleeping Beauty shoes. Complete with a set of cat whiskers that her sisters must have drawn on her face while I was in the shower. I really hope they used the washable markers.

I can’t help but feel underdressed. I glance down at my beautifully made “That’s What She Said” t-shirt and jean shorts.

“So, do I need to go change? I didn’t know we were dressing up today.” I turn around slowly displaying my outfit. Nycole’s face lights up. “I know exactly what you can wear. Stay here,” she says bolting out of the room. When she re-enters, she’s holding one of my favorite dresses. I knew this is the one she would pick. It’s the one I wore for my last anniversary with Derek. It’s a sequined tube dress that’s nude in color with darker sequins sewn onto the mesh overlay. It’s beautiful. In her other hand she’s holding my favorite six inch T-strap champagne high heels. I shake my head at her and the wide grin on her face. “No way. The dress I’ll wear, but no shoes. I’ll break my ankle running around in those things.”

Nycole nods her head in acceptance. “Deal. But you need to go put some makeup on and fix your hair. It would look pretty dumb to be dressed up with no make-up.” She throws the dress to me and points to my bedroom. Gee, thanks.

“Fine.” I start to head into the other room to change. “But no whiskers on my face – I think that would also look dumb with my dress.” Stopping to look at Rylie I add, “But on you, my dear, they look gorgeous!” Rylie giggles and continues spinning around the room in her dress…something she’s been doing since I’ve been in here.

I walk into my bathroom and turn on my curling iron. I dry my hair quickly and apply some make up. Just a little because I don’t want to look like I’m overdoing it. Not that the dress itself isn’t overkill enough. I slide the dress over my head and walk over to the full length mirror on my bathroom door. I turn from side to side and watch the dress swish back and forth hitting the middle of my thighs. I forgot how short this dress is. Yikes.

I quickly add some loose curls to my hair and slide a light lip gloss over my lips. Smacking them together, I take a final look in the mirror, surprisingly pleased with the outcome of my efforts. Not bad for nine o’clock in the morning.

“Alright girls,” I say, once again entering the living room. “Let’s get started!”

All three girls stop what they’re doing and stare at me. I spin around and look back at them seeking approval. Nycole flashes me the thumbs up sign and a huge smile.

“You look like a model, Mama!” Kyndall runs up and hugs my waist.

“Mommy – you look so pretty!” Rylie exclaims as she runs to me and embraces my leg. I look down at them and smile. “Well, Blake isn’t going to know what to do with all of the beautiful Meyer girls this morning, is he?”

Giggles ensue followed by high pitched shrieks when the doorbell rings. Great – we have absolutely nothing ready. I hope he isn’t too hungry.

“Blake’s here! Blake’s here!” they all shout once again, trampling each other as they run out of the living room. Nycole reaches the door first and turns around to face them holding both hands in front of her signaling for them to calm down. “Shh! You’re both acting crazy. I’m not opening the door until you settle down.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Once they’re quiet, Nycole gives then a quick nod and turns to open the door. As soon as they see Blake, Kyndall and Rylie push Nycole aside and run to him. He’s already crouched down, waiting for them, with four roses in his hand…three pink and one yellow with red tips along the petals.

I raise my hand to my mouth to cover my smile. He never ceases to amaze me. I know the meaning of that yellow rose. It is symbolic of falling in love from friendship. I swallow the basketball lodged in my throat and giggle as the girls almost knock Blake over when they reach his open arms. He gives them a tight hug and then looks up at me. Releasing them, he stands up and smiles a sexy grin while approaching me. “This is for you.” He puts his arms around me gently and whispers in my ear, “You look beautiful, Alex.”

I squeeze him a little tighter. “Thank you, Blake,” before letting him go. Stepping back from him, I accept the rose.

Turning to the girls, Blake exclaims, “Well, don’t you all look gorgeous. I’m such a lucky man this morning to be surrounded by such beauty.” He takes the pink roses and gives one to each girl. “I couldn’t show up to our breakfast date without flowers. What kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t bring roses?” He gives them a wink and they each grin back at him, all sniffing their roses.

He looks at Rylie and chuckles. “Rylie, I love your whiskers. I didn’t think it was possible, but they make you look even more stunning.” She giggles and skips into the house with her rose.

We all turn to follow her into the house. Blake reaches forward and gently hooks my hand from behind, causing me to turn around. His eyes move slowly up my body. When his eyes finally meet mine, he lets out a quick breath and gives me a sexy lop-sided smile. “Seriously, Alex…breathtaking.”

I look him over for the first time this morning, noticing how handsome he looks. Trading his signature faded jeans for darker ones, he’s wearing a light blue button up dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to the middle of his muscular forearms. I also notice his motorcycle boots have been replaced with black Kenneth Coles. He looks absolutely gorgeous. I bite my bottom lip to avoid drooling all over myself. “You look handsome as ever, Blake. Not that there’s ever a time when you don’t.”

I glance over to my driveway. “No bike today?” He runs his hand through his hair as he turns to look as well. “Nope. I wouldn’t take the bike on a dress-up breakfast date. What kind of man do you take me for?” He turns back around and offers me another sexy grin. “The girls have been planning this one for a while; you really should keep an eye on your cell phone, Alex.”

Oh my devious, devious children.

I shake my head and lightly laugh. “Good to know, on both accounts. I will definitely be putting a pass code on my phone ASAP.” I laugh again. “And we both saw what happened last time I tried to ride your bike in a skirt.” He lets out a laugh and I grin back at him. “Let’s get inside and see what else they have planned.”

As I turn to enter the house, I notice that our hands are still joined. I continue to hold his hand until we enter the kitchen where the girls have already started the preparations for breakfast. When I let go, I make sure to give him a quick reassuring smile. He nods his head in understanding.