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“What do you want?” I asked, folding my arms across my chest.
Nico held a manila envelope in his hand. I caught a subtle shake as he handed me the envelope. “This is for you and Grady.”
I frowned, confused. “What is this?”
“Just open it. You’ll see.”
Was this some sort of gimmick? Another fake project? I sighed and decided to humor him just so he’d leave. I opened the envelope and pulled a sheaf of legal paperwork. I frowned, even more confused when I saw Grady’s name on the documents.
“What is this?” I repeated, my palms becoming sweaty. I saw Houston’s name, and my vision blurred. This couldn’t be what I thought it was. My gaze flew to Nico’s, needing confirmation before I started crying. “Nico...what am I looking at?”
“Houston Beaumont has relinquished his parental rights to Grady. You’ll never have to worry about him showing up on a whim, using his family money and influence to force visitation. Grady is yours and yours alone.”
I’d never dared to dream that Houston would sign away his rights. It was what I’d always wanted but had been too afraid to push out of fear that Houston might retaliate and insist on being a part of Grady’s life. I bit my lip, unable to stop the tears. I clutched the paperwork to my chest, unable to form words, so overwhelmed by the treasure in my hand. “How did you do this?”
“I convinced him that it was in his best interest to leave you and Grady alone. After a short conversation, he agreed.”
I shook my head, confused and stunned. “Just like that? A conversation?”
“Well, I punched him in the face first, but after that, he seemed more than willing to walk away.”
Nico had punched Houston. In the face. I smothered my watery laugh behind my hand. God, how many times had I wished I could do exactly that? But Nico had somehow made the impossible happen. I stared at the paperwork again, afraid I was dreaming or lying in a coma somewhere, hallucinating.
“This is real, right?” I couldn’t help myself. “This isn’t a joke or some kind of scheme?”
“I wouldn’t joke about this. It’s one hundred percent legal and binding, so I hope it’s what you really want.”
“God, yes,” I exclaimed, holding the paperwork tightly. Thank you seemed so inadequate a statement for what I was feeling in my soul, but I said it anyway. “I’m so incredibly grateful. Thank you.” Tears dribbled down my cheeks as I met his gaze, questioning. “But why? Why would you do this for us?”
Nico drew himself up with a deep breath, and I’d never seen him appear so vulnerable or scared. He swallowed, wetting his bottom lip, before answering humbly, “Because I couldn’t make Grady my son until Houston was out of the picture.” I gasped, my breath hitching in my chest as I shook my head, more tears coming. Was he actually asking if... Was this happening? Nico slowly went down on one knee, producing a black jewelry box, and I nearly fainted.
“Marry me, Lauren.”
One simple statement held such power and depth—the power to make or break three separate lives.
He opened the box, and the prettiest diamond engagement ring twinkled in the light. “Nico...” I whispered, shaking my head. I couldn’t see straight. My nerves were raw. “I...I...”
But then Grady burst from the bedroom, clearly listening to everything we’d been saying, and he was suddenly wrapped around me like a monkey, jabbering, “Say yes, Mama! Say yes! Pllllease!”
My heart sang through the sheen of tears that washed away the pain of the last wretched month, but I couldn’t get my mouth to work. My throat had closed, and each time I tried to open my mouth, all I could do was gape like a fish and cry.
“Is that a yes?” Nico asked, peering up at me, his blue eyes worried.
I bobbed my head in a desperate motion, saying yes with my heart. Nico jumped up and placed the ring on my finger, still shaking, then sealed his mouth to mine, his joy and relief an echo of my own. I tasted his tears and mine. Forehead to forehead, he murmured with the utmost sincerity, “Thank God. I can’t live without you, Lauren. I’m a lost soul and a pitiful bastard without you in my life.” He drew a shuddering breath as he vowed fervently, “I promise to work every day to be the man you and Grady deserve.”
I wanted to shout to the rooftops that he already was. Still clutching the paperwork to my chest, I watched as Nico then dropped down to Grady’s level and said with the seriousness the occasion warranted, “Will you be my son, Grady Hughes? Will you do me the honor of becoming Grady Donato?”
Grady’s little eyes welled with tears but he nodded vigorously in answer, and Nico folded him in his arms as if he’d always belonged there.
I couldn’t love Nico more than I did in this moment. Everything else faded until it was only the three of us who existed in this world.
I knew he wasn’t perfect, that he’d made mistakes and would likely make more, but Nico loved us with a pure heart, and for that, I loved him all the more.
And in the warm space of that love, I forgave him for all the stupid crap he’d done before this moment.
Nico rose, hoisting Grady up with him, pulling me in for a deep kiss. In his kiss, I tasted love, commitment, laughter and joy—and I knew I’d finally found what I never knew I’d been searching for.
Nico was my soul mate, my touchstone, the future father to all my children and the man I couldn’t wait to start a life with.
Even if I still didn’t know his favorite color.
* * * * *
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