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I'm nervous as we sit in one of the rooms in the back of the store, waiting for them to pull out the two rings dad designed and had commissioned.
"You ready to see this?" The owner, Natalie, asks as she comes into the room.
"More than ready." Dad rubs his hands together. "I hope it looks the way I've imagined it."
"I do too," she smiles.
My eyes track as she reaches under the table and then comes back with a covered tray. "This definitely tested my abilities, but it was a fun challenge. They're gorgeous, and I hope you love them."
When she pulls the cover off, the way they twinkle almost blinds me. Those diamonds are larger than I assumed dad would be able to afford. But what really gets me is the intricate floral designs along the side of the of the ring. "Dad, did you draw that?"
"Yeah," he nods. "It's like the dresser I made for her. I think she's going to like it."
"Like it? She's gonna love it. Is the biggest difference the color of the stones?" I notice one has a yellow tinge; the other is super clear.
"That and the types of flowers. This one," he points to the left. "Has daisies and wild flowers, along with the yellow diamond. The other has roses."
"Go with the roses. The daisies and yellow diamond are pretty, but the roses remind me of you meeting her while we were working on that house."
"You heard him. That's the one I'm gonna take."
* * *
An hour later, we're walking out of Get Baked, both eating cupcakes. "There is one more thing I need to talk to you about." He licks at his fingertips.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah. So, Alexis really wants a baby, and I'd like to try my hand at being a parent when not being a teenager. We're planning on trying pretty soon after getting married. I don't want you to be surprised, or feel as if I'm replacing you." He takes a deep breath. "I don't want you to feel like you got the short end of the stick. I'm going to be able to give this child so much more than I was you, and please know that breaks me."
"Don't." I put my hand on his shoulder, squeezing. "Do not even think that, Dad. I will never ever hold that against you. Whether you have a boy or a girl, or both, that child is going to be incredibly lucky to have you, just like I am. Having Alexis as a mom? That's going to be a game-changer. I'm excited for all the changes this marriage and this year is going to bring to our lives. I love you, Dad."
He reaches out to hug me, clapping his hands against my back."Love you, too."
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Kara
"Happy New Year!" Alexis greets Abel and I as we head into Boone's house.
I feel like this is my home away from home, the only difference is that I actually feel as if I belong here. "Happy New Year!" I answer back, holding up the container with the birria and all the fixings to go along with it. "Brought the food."
"Oh my god," Boone groans. "I have been dreaming about this since I asked for it."
"He has,” Abel confirms. "He's asked me at least fifteen times this week if you're bringing it or not."
"Not fifteen. We've been in that weird week between Christmas and New Year's where no one knows what day it is."
"Oh, you knew. You knew to ask me every time you fuckin’ saw me.”
I wrap my arms around Abel’s waist. “Be nice to your dad.”
”Yeah, be nice to me.” Boone reaches over to mess up his hair.
We all walk further into the house, and while the guys go outside to start the bonfire, Alexis and I immediately begin work on the food.
She blows out a breath, looking at the spread. “What is it you want me to do?”
“The way I set it up is so we can have almost like a do it yourself station. I even brought plates.”
