Kitchen Promises.

Brooke c.u.mberland.

Blurb.

Nothing ever comes easy for Molly Woods.

Faced with past fears, heartache, & limits Can she make promises to the one man she cant get enough of? Can she promise him forever?

With new obstacles, Molly must make a decision.

Drake Stagliano always gets what he wants.

But with a new threat, how far will he go to make sure Molly is his forever?

When new secrets are revealed, Drake must take matters into his own hands.

Can they make forever happen? Or will promises be made that cant be kept?

Kitchen Promises, the final book in the Riverside Trilogy.

DEDICATION.

I am dedicating this book to all the stepparents out there!

It isnt easy co-parenting someone elses child"

emotionally, mentally, or physically. Being a stepparent means that you chose to love someone elses child as your own, and that is the true meaning of love. As a stepmother to two boys, I understand the struggles of a blended family. So, this book is for all of you out there!

It's not the blood you share that makes you a mother...It's the heart you share with one another.

"Patty Rase Hopson.

A healthy stepmother knows that some days she's a stagehand, some days shes the leading lady, and some days she's the audience, and she plays each role with grace and style.

"Unknown.

PROLOGUE.

Molly.

My mother used to tell me that there was no such thing as coincidences. Rather, everything happens for a reasonlike some set up plan already made for us from the beginning. My mom wasnt overly religious or anything, but she believed in G.o.d, and that he had a plan for each and every one of us. No matter how much you try to fight destiny, fate always comes back to bite us in the a.s.s. Always.

I never once thought much about it until it knocked me right in the face. Or until he knocked on my door.

Stanley Webber.

The moment I saw Dennys faceafter seventeen years, I knew my mother was right. The so-called plan that was set up from the beginningthis could not be a coincidence. Rather, a smack across the face. My past stood right in front of me, waiting for me to deal with it after all this time. But I couldnt. And I wouldnt. I wasnt going to give him the time of day.

Lets not forget he just shoulder-patted my biological fatherthis was way beyond coincidences. This was someone way up somewhere having a good laugh at how unbelievably awkward this was. Fate, destiny, coincidence"whatever it was, could f.u.c.k off.

Given the circ.u.mstances, I wasnt going to give Denny the pleasure of rattling me. Although, I originally believed he was behind the notes and paying Ms. Hernandez in the beginning, I would never trust him.

As I stood in front of them completely beside myself, I took Stellas hand in mine and made way to the restroom. There was no way I would ever come clean to Mr. Webber either. My best option was to stay as far away as possible"from both of them.

Oh G.o.d"Drake. How would he handle the news? Ive already learned what keeping secrets between us can do, so its not as if I wanted to go that route again. Drake meant too much to me, too much to Stella, and now"the father of our twins.

1.

Molly.

Traviswhy? Why did you pull the trigger? Why? I stood in front of him, pleading for answers.

I had to, Molly. His voice is firm, his eyes dark.

Nono, you didnt. You were my friend. I reach out to him, but my hand goes right through his transparent body.

And I loved you, Molly. You didnt love me. I reach for him again, moving closer.

No, I didnt. But what about Jacob? He walks backwardsreaching for the gun thats tucked in the back of his pants.

Travis, dont! I screamed, but it was too late. The gun went off and everything went dark.

Dark Travis! No! I scream.

Molly! Drake shook me until my eyes opened. I looked around and saw I was in bed"sweating and crying. Are you okay? he asked, turning the bedside lamp on.

Yeah, just another nightmare. I rubbed my belly, soothing myself from the trauma I seemed to be reliving.

Ill get you some juice, baby. Drake pecked me on the forehead, pulling the sheets back. I nodded, thankful for how attentive he had been the last four months. Being that some women show faster in their second pregnancies, and I just happen to be one of them, and the fact that Im expecting twins, made me look six months pregnant already.

Thanks, baby.

As I watched him leave the room, I remembered the nightmare that I was having. They started two months ago out of nowhere. At first, I pegged them as part of being pregnant, but now it was just getting ridiculous. I thought after hearing how sick Travis was, it would give me closure"that it wasnt my fault, and that I couldnt have saved him"but it hadnt. I still felt guiltysadand that I failed him as a friend. How did I not notice? How did I let him fall for me so hard that I never saw it coming? I knew the burning questions in my head were making me insane, but add the hormones, mood-swings, and body aches"total hot mess.

I overa.n.a.lyzed everything between Travis and me over the past year. We kept meeting in the oddest of places before he showed up at my internship. Then, in a heated moment, I gave in and kissed him. I hated myself for doing that, but I was curious. I hadnt realized how bad I would hurt everyone"I shouldve known, but I was dumb, naive, and made a bad choice"that now continues to haunt me in my sleep. Part of me knows why I kissed Travis that day. I was torn"I was in love with Drake, but there was chemistry between Travis and me. Before Drake, I hadnt dated, or even kissed a man, in four yearsthen out of nowhere, two men fall for me. I was confused Here you go, sweetie. I brought juice and cookies. He smiled, handing me the gla.s.s.

Oh my G.o.d, Oreos! Are you trying to make me fatter? I cant eat that c.r.a.p!

Baby, Im sorry. I thought youd like a midnight snack to help you fall back asleep. He jerked the bag of cookies back, looking like a scared puppy.

No, the only thing that will help me sleep is getting Travis out of my d.a.m.n head! I snapped unwillingly.

I told Drake about the dreams since the first night I woke up screaming. Didnt happen very often in the beginning, but now they seemed to be happening every few nights. Its quite exhausting.

Oh G.o.d, I cried. Im so sorry I yelled like that. I covered my face with my hands, letting the tears fall out. Ugh, I hated this part of pregnancy.

Its okay. Whatever you want, Molly. Ill get itor wont get itor whatever you need!

Youre going to get sick of me, I just know it.

If I werent a blubbering mess, even Id want to laugh at myself. G.o.d, I couldnt even control my d.a.m.n emotions anymore.

I eventually fell back asleep in Drakes comforting arms. No matter how many outbursts I had, he never left my side. If I thought Drake was overprotective before"I really hadnt known how he would be when he found out I was carrying his child.

You know that moment when life feels frozen in time and nothing seems real? Or rather, you have an out of body experience, and its as if you were watching the moment happen from above?

That was exactly how I felt the moment my life changed. It was as if I were watching the whole thing instead of experiencing it first hand. It was as if it were in slow motion"happening right in front of me.

That was exactly how I felt the moment Drake kneeled in front of me. I hadnt been prepared for this. One minute Im peeing on a stick, finding out Im pregnant, and the next"Drakes proposing.

Molly? Drake smirked, still waiting for my answer. G.o.d, he looked so d.a.m.n handsome. The way his hair rustled in the wind and his dark eyes looking hopeful up at me; he was breathtaking. I still wondered why a man like him chased after a girl like me.

He had no idea how happy he was making me in that moment. The fact that he wanted to marry me"for me. He didnt even know I was expecting yet, unlike the last time a man knelt in front of me. I knew Liam loved me, but we were young. We never wouldve been engaged had I not been pregnant with Stella.

My hand covered my mouth in shock, unable to answer him. The moment brought so many memories back, so many unwanted memories of Liam and then the pain rushed in"the pain of losing him"the pain of thinking I had lost Drake when he was shot.

Perhaps it was the news of finding out I was expecting, or the hormones, but I started crying uncontrollably. I was so embarra.s.sed that I spun around so Drake wouldnt see me.

I felt him come behind me. He wrapped his arms around my waist and nuzzled his nose into my neck.

Baby, Im sorry if I rushed" His hands stopped on my stomach, feeling the bloat that was making my stomach swell already. I froze in place as his warm hands touched me, rubbing over my barely-there b.u.mp. His lips softly kissed under my ear and down my neck.

I love you, he whispered in my ear.

I slowly spun around and faced him. His expression was a mix of worry and l.u.s.t. I smiled at him as I rubbed a hand on his cheek.

Yes. I want to marry you.

His eyes lit up as they searched mine.

Are you sure? I mean"

I hated that I made him feel doubt with my mental breakdown. I am so sure. And I was. I had never wanted anything more. I"I was just not expecting that.

He nodded as if he understood and cupped my face with both hands. He leaned down and softly pecked my lips, bringing our foreheads together.

I will do anything to make you happy, Future Mrs. Stagliano.

Oh, I like the sound of that.

Im glad. He smiled with his hands still on my cheeks.

I do have a confession, I said softly. Before I could continue, a loud bang sounded in the sky, jerking my attention away from Drake. I glued my eyes above and saw three fireworks blasting in the air.

Oh my G.o.d, what did you do?

Did you really think Id propose to my girl without a dramatic grand finale? Yeah, I shouldve figured.

You never cease to amaze me. I blushed, looking into his bright brown eyes that were no longer dark and intense like the first time I met him.

Now you can have a lifetime of amazing. He grinned, lowering his lips down to kiss me once more.

There is something you should know, though. I broke the kiss, chewing my bottom lip as the nerves overcame me. I planted my hand back on my stomach and looked down, hoping hed see where I was leading the conversation.

Getting cold feet already? he teased nervously. I shook my head at him, moving back as I gave him a better view of what I was rubbing.

No, never. But.i.t looks like youre getting a new t.i.tle soon besides husband. His eyes widened, finally getting what I was trying to tell him. Im pregnant.

What? Really? he gasped. Oh my G.o.d, thats amazing! His smile reached his eyes as he engulfed me in a hug.

I was pleasantly surprised at his reaction. We hadnt talked about having kids together, and honestly, I didnt even know if he wanted any of his own. I was prepared for at least a little shock"maybe even a little anger. Given that I was on the pill, I was worried he wouldve thought I did it on purpose.

Yes, really! He pulled back and covered my face in his hands, burying me in his kisses. As more fireworks blasted in the night sky, he continued kissing and worshiping my mouth.

Besides the birth of Stella, that was the best moment of my life. Knowing we were becoming a family and building our future together was something I never thought possible. When Liam died, I thought that was it"that Id never have a family or a happily ever after, but now I was convinced otherwise.

Stella! I yelled from my bed, already needing a.s.sistance.

Yes, mommy? She wore a bright smile as she skipped to my side.