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"He's in recovery and has been asking for you," the doctor tells us.
Lexi sits up, wiping the drool from her mouth. "So, he's okay? He's alive?"
"Very much alive. The kidneys arrived in the nick of time."
"It's a miracle," I say, breathlessly. My world comes back into focus. He is alive and I love him and Asher is in my arms and whatever the world throws at us next, I know deep down that we are going to be okay.
"It truly is," the doctor agrees. "Would you like to see him now?"
I nod, standing, Asher in my arms.
"Infants aren't permitted in recovery rooms.”
I shake my head. "I'm sorry Doctor, but this must be an exception. Dane needs to meet Asher."
I don't ask for permission, I just walk ahead, knowing I will never hold anything back from Dane again.
It's time he met his son.I stop outside the door, suddenly nervous. My stomach is in knots, and even though I'm relieved beyond belief, this moment holds so much importance that I'm trembling.
Through the glass window, I see Dane sitting slightly upright in bed. Lexi stands behind me, and she nods, pushing me toward the love of my life.
"You can do this, Dottie. Don't be scared, you're going to make this man the happiest father in this city."
She's right, of course. When I walk into this room I am going to give Dane the most surprising gift in the world... which is saying something considering he's just received a kidney donation that saved his life.
"You hold Asher for a second, and I'll go in and tell him I have a present for him making it through surgery."
"You sure?" Lexi asks.
"I'm sure."
Smiling, I hand her Asher and pull open the door.
"Dane?" I say tentatively.
"It wasn't all a dream?" he asks, reaching out a hand for me.
"It's real." I smile, sitting in the chair next to him, savoring the feel of his warm hands against mine. His chiseled jaw, his unforgiving eyes. I memorize him, knowing this face is the face of the man I love and not wanting to miss a single thing about him.
"I remember you telling me something before I left for surgery..."
I smile. "Good. Because I couldn't bear for you not to know how I feel for another second."
"I love you too, Dottie. It might be crazy—"
"Shhh." I cut him off. He loves me. My heart fills, it expands. The lens in which I see the world is different knowing I am not in this alone. "It can't be crazy if we both feel this way."
I lean over and kiss him softly, knowing he still has a long road of healing ahead of him. "I'm so sorry about Thomas."
Dane nods. "So much time had passed, he was a wanted criminal and had removed himself from my life. I'd have sworn he was only here for my money. Yet his dying words saved me. I owe him my life, yet he's already gone. It feels wrong to accept this gift knowing it meant he died."
"I can only imagine what you're feeling, Dane." I squeeze his hand. "But I have another gift for you."
"I don't need anything from you Dottie except your love."
I smile. "Sorry, Dane, but I refuse to accept that."
"Oh really, is this a bossy side of Dottie I didn't know about?"
"Maybe, but I'm betting there are a lot of sides to both of us we have no idea about. Does that make you change your mind about loving me?"
He raises an eyebrow. "Nothing could change how I feel."
I swallow. "This gift is going to change a few things."
"Really?" he asks. "In that case. I have to ask you something before anything else changes."
"But when things change, it might cause you to reconsider your question."
He scoffs. "I'm a man who always knows what he wants. And I want you. Nothing you give me could change that."
"Is that so?" I bite my bottom lip knowing that me introducing him to his son is something he has not considered. But his confidence in our love makes me brave.
"It is." He takes both my hands, kissing the tops of them. "Marry me, Dottie. Marry me knowing that in life there are no guarantees. This moment might be all we get. I don't want to lose any more days with you. I want them all. I want you forever."
I cover my mouth, not expecting this, but I want it with all that I am. "Yes, Dane. I will marry you. I will give you all of my days and I will give you my heart. But now, you must let me give you my gift."
He pulls on my hands, not wanting to let go.
"I promise, it's good." I move to the door and step out of it. Lexi's eyes meet mine. "He proposed. We're getting married."
"After you told him about Asher?"
