Icing vs Frosting

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Kayleigh rushed into the apartment. She and Caroline both had stayed too long with Hadlee, but they couldn't just leave. Hadlee was pregnant. Hadlee! It was insanity. She was engaged and Hadlee was going to have a baby. Top all of that off with the fact that Caroline was actually meeting Dougie's parents. Hell might have actually frozen over. Kayleigh looked the apartment over it wasn't a mess but she needed to do a few things before Brad's parents and siblings got there.

Kayleigh flitted from room to room straightening each room. Her and Brad's stuff had combined fairly well. Plus, the local domestic violence shelter benefitted from their leftovers. She was fluffing monogrammed pillows when her phone chimed. She realized her monogram would change. She wasn't sure if she should be excited or not. She pulled her phone free from her giant purse.

Brad: I'm heading home. The family might be there before me. No worries. By the way think my bro wants you to sign a contract to keep me.
KK: I’ll sign it when he gets here.
Brad: That's why you're my number one girl
KK: Don't forget it.
Brad: Never.
KK: Dinner in or out?
Brad: Mom said she is taking care of it.
KK: I stopped by the bakery and got some treats.
Brad: Sixty Threes?
KK: Yes I got some of your cupcakes. I need to finish straightening up. See you in a few.
Brad: It’s fine. Love you
KK: Love you too.

Kayleigh laid her phone on the counter and made sure everything was put away in the kitchen. She flew into their bedroom and quickly changed in a black skater dress and black ballet flats. She dusted on a little make up and untangled her hair from the bun that Caroline promised would give her curls. Damned if Caroline wasn’t right. She was slicking on lip gloss when the doorbell rang. They were here. And she was alone. Alone with a diamond on her hand. Kayleigh smoothed out her skirt and headed for the door.

Before she made it to her destination the door flew open. Brad came through the door along with his entire family and his bulldog. It was chaos. It was Brad. She laughed at Brad and the dog. Obviously, Brad and Harvey had missed one another. Brad was currently rolling around on the floor with the slobbering dog.Kayleigh must have laughed out loud because she had all eyes on her.

Jeff looked her over before he spoke “You can tell us if he kidnapped you and he’s holding you hostage. We’ll help you I swear.”

“Jeff,” Lynn admonished “The poor girl doesn’t know the entire family is crazy.”

“If she hasn’t figured out something is wrong from dating Brad, my best guess it she is down with the crazy.” replied his sister Melissa turning towards Kayleigh “You are beautiful, I love that dress, and let me see the ring.” It came out in a rush and all in one breath. It was like a very beautiful female version of Brad.

“Let the girl breath.” instructed Kevin Marchand “Is this any way to introduce your fiancé to your family?” he asked. Brad looked up at Kayleigh from his position on the floor. He patted the floor beside him. Kayleigh laughed and sat down beside him and Harvey.

“Doll, this is Harvey.” said Brad as Harvey drooled all over him “Harvey, this is our Kayleigh.” The bulldog seemed to accept Kayleigh and deem her worthy. He laid his drooly head on Kayleigh’s lap.Brad leaned over and kissed her lips. “Kayleigh, this is everybody. Everybody, this is Kayleigh.” Brad held her hand up to show them her engagement ring “We’re getting married, so you guys try not to scare her off, eh?”He kissed her again.Brad then pointed at his family members “This is my mom, Lynn. That is Dad, Kevin. The ape is my brother, Jeff. You’ll note I am much more handsome. This is my sis, Melissa. Sugar junkie, fashionista, and general pain in my ass. And you’ve met Harvey.”

Kayleigh looked at the family members standing around her and Brad. She climbed to her feet “Sorry, he sometimes makes me forget my manners. I am Kayleigh.” She held her hand out to Melissa. Who promptly grabbed her and hugged her before passing her to Jeff who also hugged her.

“If you are marrying the squirrel, we hug.” said Jeff. Kayleigh just smiled at him.

“I am definitely marrying him.” replied Kayleigh looking at her fiancé who was still wrestling with his dog. Like everything else he did, playing with Harvey was also full throttle.

“I swear we raised him right.” explained Lynn hugging Kayleigh “I think he took too many pucks to the head as a young child. You are beautiful.” Lynn held her hand and looked at the ring. “He always had good taste, but it’s usually over the top. That ring is perfect.”

“I would have bought her the Hope diamond,” said Brad rising from the floor “But she doesn’t do big and obnoxious.”

“I knew it!” exclaimed Jeff “Then what the hell is she doing with you?”

Before Brad had a chance to defend himself Kayleigh turned to Greg “He’s little and obnoxious,” she responded “And I love him.”

Kevin Marchand started laughing at his future daughter in law “You’ll fit in just fine.” Kevin gave her a quick squeezing hug. He then turned on Brad “You getting dressed for dinner? Reservations at 7 and that gives you almost enough time to do your hair.”

“You see how they treat me?” pouted Brad.

“Yes, poor millionaire professional athlete.” she said kissing his pouting mouth “You’re clothes are laid out on the bed. I suggest you hurry. I am going to let Jeff have the box from the bakery in 10 minutes.”

“Et tu, Doll?” said Brad walking to the bedroom Harvey on his heels “Jeff, no touching my cupcake.”

Jeff slung an arm around Kayleigh “Little bro, if she likes me better it’s totally not my fault. She just came to her senses.”

Kayleigh smiled up at Jeff “Now you get no cupcakes.” She started towards the kitchen with Melissa and Lynn. “But I might reconsider if you open the wine.”

Brad was manically laughing as Kayleigh expertly handled his family. “I love you, Kayleigh Jo!” he called heading for the shower.

“Love you, too.” said Kayleigh pulling out cheese straws and tiny ham biscuits “Get ready please Bradley Keith.”

Jeff came into the kitchen and opened the wine for Kayleigh. She offered his parents and siblings wine, beer, and soft drinks. Everyone was sitting around the bar with beverages and eating the snacks Kayleigh put out.

Jeff was busy stuffing his mouth with cheese straws “So basically, they are fancy Southern Cheetos. Well, more like a Cheez-It.”

Kayleigh’s eyes got wide “Never heard them described that way. But sure.” she laughed.

“Did you make these, Kayleigh?” asked Lynn

“It’s my recipe, but my assistants did these. I will be back in the bakery at 4:30.”

“AM?!” asked Melissa

“Yes, I go in that time every day. I just promoted a few people so I can be with Brad more.”

“You want to be around him more often?” teased Jeff “Most people have the opposite reaction.”

“My schedule works pretty well with his. Since I go in a 4:30, I usually come home about 1. So our nap times coincide.” replied Kayleigh “He usually comes by the bakery on the way to practice. I’ve been making lots of protein shakes for him in my cupcake flavors.”

Brad came into the kitchen pushing his sweater sleeves up his forearms. He headed straight for Kayleigh. She straightened the collar on his button down. Kayleigh loved Brad straight out of the shower. He smelled clean and like his Armani cologne.“Thanks, Doll.” he said stealing a kiss and a cheese straw. “Never had these before, I like them.”

“Cheese straws, better get used to them. The family will pull them out every holiday and special event.” answered Kayleigh

“You taking him to the South?” asked Melissa.

“Yes,” said Kayleigh “Hopefully at Christmas we’ll make it to Georgia and Nova Scotia.”

“Kayleigh, we can’t wait to have you up in Canada!” Exclaimed Lynn “I’ve never been in the South. Well, I’ve been in Nashville for hockey. But I want to see the South. Will the wedding be in Georgia?”

“Mom, we’ve been engaged about 24 hours.” said Brad “We’ve not talked about it yet. I rushed off to team building.”

“And she was still here when you got back?” deadpanned Jeff.

“Always.” replied Kayleigh kissing Brad. He smiled at her. He absolutely loved Kayleigh. The fact that she had his back was amazing.

“We’re going to be late for dinner,” said Kevin “We need to head to the restaurant.”

Brad and Kayleigh made it his vehicle. Brad was following his father. Kayleigh was quiet in the passenger seat. “You okay, Doll?” he asked.

“Yes,” she replied “Just thinking.”

“Not thinking of running?”

“You are stuck with me, Marchand.” she replied

“Good. I know it’s overwhelming, but they love you. Dad is thrilled. Mom and Melissa want to go to Georgia. And you giving Jeff hell is perfect. If I hadn’t already proposed I would have done it right then and there.”

“You make me happy.” said Kayleigh looking at Brad “I’m going to love you for the rest of my life and then some.”

Brad grabbed her hand and kissed it. “I love you too, Kayleigh Jo Daniels.” He then smirked at her. That smile that said I am up to no good and I know it. “Too infinity and beyond.”

Kayleigh laughed out loud “That better be in our wedding vows, Marchand.”

“Disney quotes,” replied Brad “I’ve got this Doll.”

Brad followed his father and pulled in at the valet. He handed his keys to the valet and retrieved Kayleigh. He tucked her into his side. “You look beautiful.” he said in her ear. Kayleigh blushed. Brad was still amazed that she blushed when he complimented her. Or that she blushed period.The headed into Davio’s. Brad was happy with his dad’s selection. His dad had listened to him about Kayleigh’s preferences. His entire family was trying to get to know Kayleigh.

“Thank you,” she said quietly as they entered the restaurant “You’re not so bad yourself. I missed you.” They were standing near the hostess station huddled with the family.

“Missed you, too.” said Brad hugging her. He dropped a chaste kiss on her lips.

“Get a room!” said Jeff.

Brad wiggled his eyebrows at Kayleigh and nodded at the door “I can see them any time. This is the first I’ve come home from teambuilding to you.”

“And it will happen every year until you retire.” intoned Kayleigh “Plus, I am starving.”

Brad chuckled “Food it is.” he answered as they were seated.

The family ordered wine and some spring rolls for an appetizer. Kayleigh perused the menu. She loved the eclectic menu. She finally decided on a lobster risotto. She laughed when everyone else at the table ordered basically the same steak and sides.

“Brad said you aren’t much of a steak fan?” questioned Kevin

“Not really, sir.” she answered “I like steak, but I had a pet calf that I raised for 4H in Georgia. Since Ruby I have really haven’t eaten a lot of beef. I get a lot of grief from my daddy.”

“That’s a better reason than those hipsters.” said Kevin.

“We raise dairy and beef cattle. It’s just a personal choice.” replied Kayleigh “I will break down and have a burger periodically.And I am obsessed with bacon as an ingredient right now.”

“She makes chocolate bacon cupcakes.” explained Brad “We’ll go over to the bakery for breakfast in the morning. It’s liked Cake Boss, but way hotter.”

“Do you all have any requests?” asked Kayleigh “I know I am making Finnish, Swedish, and Czech cookies tomorrow.”

“It all sounds good.” said Jeff.

“Y’all will have to try his cupcake.”

“He has his own cupcake?” asked Melissa

“The one named Sixty Three is a cinnamon toast crunch cupcake. It’s his cupcake. But I have the Riverwalk that he also gets credit for.”

“Why is that?” his mother quizzed.

“He took me to get ice cream at the Riverwalk for our first date. I got a chocolate-orange ice cream, he ended up with chocolate bourbon. So, I now have a chocolate-orange cupcake with bourbon in the chocolate buttercream.”

“Second date.”
“It was not Bradley Keith, I told you stalking me at the bakery didn’t count.” She admonished.

“That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.” he groused.

“He thinks sitting on my counter at work while I am baking is date.”

“It is if I am there for the sole purposed of seeing my girl.” he responded “We had nap dates.”

“Nap dates.” giggled Melissa “Is that what the cool kids are calling it.”

Kayleigh blushed again. “No,” she replied “Brad and I had PBJ’s and Gatorade. We took a nap. Nothing nefarious.”

“Your slipping, bro.” teased Jeff.

“Nope, I finally got smart.” he replied “I found what I wanted.”

“So you put a ring on it.” laughed Jeff
“Damn right!” replied Brad kissing Kayleigh “Best plan ever.”

Notes