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"No, Eric," Jean said, reaching out to take my hand. "It's all right. I needed to hear this. I want to."
"The idiot thinks you're some fragile princess or something that he needs to protect. And that he doesn't want to pressure you by letting you know that some part of him will die if we sell his bar to a bunch of soulless suits. But I know you're not that fragile." Nell smiled gently. "You're tough. You wouldn't have moved here alone in the first place if you weren't. I know there have been some downsides, but you've been happy here too. Thank about staying, Jean. Please. Maybe we're selfish, but we don't want to lose either of you."
Slowly, I gave her fingers a squeeze, watching her face carefully. Her gaze moved from me to take in every member of the circle of people I might just be about to kill if they'd upset her. God knows what she was thinking.
"I don't think you're a fragile princess," I grumbled. "But I do love you."
"I love you too."
Fuck, my heart. It was hammering. I rubbed at my chest with the palm of my hand, trying to get it to settle down.
She smiled. "I should have told you that already. It's just, I've been too scared to commit to anything: you, being here..."
I said nothing, just waiting.
"Mostly, I was scared something would happen and I'd lose you," she said. "That being here with you wouldn't work out somehow, like how things didn't work out back home."
I drew her up onto her feet, holding her close. "You're not going to lose me. Whatever you decide."
A tear spilled down her cheek and I swore again.
"I'm okay," she said, then pointed over near where Joe stood. "But, Eric, they're right. This is your bar. Florida isn't home anymore, not really. All of my best memories are here."
"What are you saying?"
Jean's shoulders rose as she sucked in a deep breath. "Let's stay. I want to stay."
"Are you sure?"
She nodded, more tears spilling over. Her beautiful blue eyes were red-rimmed.
"Stop crying," I said, swiping gently at her cheeks. "You're killing me, sweetheart."
"I'm happy."
"Then why are you crying?"
"I don't know."
Grinning, I wrapped her back up in my arms. And the idiots all around us, the family, they actually broke out into cheers. Someone suggested champagne, but Joe had the good sense to start pouring beers. Various people slapped me on the back, giving Jean's arm a friendly squeeze. And maybe I kind of appreciated their help after all.
"I should have talked to you," I said, resting my head against her hair.
Jean sniffed. "We got there in the end, with a little help."
"Eh," screeched Ada. Always knowing exactly what to say.
EPILOGUE
"You're sure this is how you want to do it?" asked Nell, her new baby Samuel held tight in her arms.
"Yes," I said. "Definitely. Damn the cliche. It feels right."
"Okay." Her red brows drew together, and she shot a look at Jean. Blissfully unaware, Jean was still seated happily at the long center table, talking to Joe. "Do you think she suspects?"
"The woman does not have a clue."
Nell kept rocking Samuel in her arms, a kind of contented look on her face whenever she looked at the little guy. It was sweet. "You're going to have to make a speech, you know."
"What?" Shit. "I'll make it up as I go along."
"Sure you don't want to go romantic and do it when you two are alone?" she asked.
Trust Nell to inspire me with a vote of confidence. "No. This is right."
It was a slow night at the Dive Bar, perfect for what I had planned. We'd called everyone in for a group dinner. Officially, the reason was that Nell, Lydia, and I had formally rejected the resort's final offer to sell the bar. After we rebuffed their initial approach, they had come back with an inflated figure, and a formal offer of purchase. But once Jean had settled on staying in town, there was just no reason to seriously consider the possibility. Deep down, we all belonged to the place. It was ours, like a second home.
Outside, the weather was warm, typical summer in Coeur d'Alene. Jean's nose was still pink from our expedition to the beach yesterday. Ada loved the water, despite the screaming fits bath time sometimes seemed to bring on. Go figure. She was a complicated little girl. I think she just liked to let loose with the yelling occasionally, make her voice heard. Perhaps, many years from now, she'd be the lead singer of a rock band and all of this practice would come in handy. That would be cool.
"What if she swallows it?" asked Nell, the concerned look back again.
I scoffed. "She's not a toddler. It's a decent size rock, she's not going to swallow it."
"Alright."
"You're freaking me out with all the questions, Nell," I grumped. "Stop it."
"I was just--"
"You've been reading too many baby books. It is not a choking hazard," I said. "It's an offer of marriage."
"Sheesh. Fine, Uncle Eric. We know when we're not wanted," Nell griped to Samuel. "Don't we baby?" She wandered back over to the table. Pat moved in beside her and gently stroked Samuel's little hand. They made a nice family. A good one. And that's what everything was about, really. Family.
Suddenly, I knew exactly what I was going to say. Champagne bottles started popping over at the table, Lydia giving me a knowing glance. So some people knew why we'd all gotten together tonight. Not enough to risk spoiling the surprise.
"I'd like to make a toast," I said loudly enough to make all of the chuckleheads quiet down. My family. With the exception of mom and dad, who were in Hawaii. Again. And good on them.
"What's up?" asked Rosie, curious.
I handed the special glass of champagne to Jean, keeping another for myself. Her blue eyes were shining, a smile hovering about her lips. Fuck she was pretty. And all mine. I intended to keep it that way. Ada sat on her lap, trying to make a dive for anything within reach so she could stick it in her mouth. Napkins, cutlery, you name it. Keeping shit out of grasping range was our new mission in life, and would be for quite a few years to come.
Ah, parenthood. It was the best.
"To my girls, Jean and Ada," I said, glass held high. "You've filled my life with joy."
"Thought we did that," mumbled Joe. I ignored him.
"Before you two, I wasn't really sure where I belonged, what I was doing. I was just cruising, you know," I said. "Going with the flow, taking the easy road."
"Diapers are not easy," Pat said with a pained expression.
Nell nudged him to be quiet. Christ, was she crying? Already?
I just shook my head. "If a bit of poo scares you, you've got no chance surviving what's ahead. Just saying."
Pat laughed.
"Anyway, back to the toast." I raised my glass a little higher. "I wanted to ask you a question in front of all of our family and friends tonight. So, Jean and Ada, my wonderful beautiful precious girls. You've filled my heart and my life, and I can't imagine being without you both."
Jean's smile was huge, eyes glossy. Then, with an arm tucked around Ada's waist, she raised the glass of champagne to her lips. Her head tilted back, just a tiny amount, but my gut squeezed in sudden alarm.
"Fuck, don't drink it!" I shouted in a panic. "There's a ring."
Her eyes widened to the size of plates. "My throat was dry. Wait. What?"
Even Ada looked up at me, mouth trembling at the loud noise.
I took a deep breath and smiled. "Sorry, sweetheart. Didn't mean to freak. But there's an engagement ring in your glass. Maybe don't down it, in case it chokes you, okay?"
So Nell had been right. Dammit. I hated when that happened.
"A ring?" Jean looked into the champagne, brows drawn tight. "Oh my God."
"Will you marry me?"
Ada yelled out something no doubt highly important yet completely undecipherable. A couple of other people were expressing their surprise and delight. But only my girls mattered.
"Marry you?" Jean repeated, s
till looking mighty stunned. "Really?"
"Yes," I said, swallowing hard. "I was trying to propose to you."
"Wow."
"Why don't I take Ada?" asked Lydia with a smile.
"Thank you."
The minute our girl was out of her lap, Jean had her fingers in the champagne flute, fishing for the diamond. Surprise, elation, more surprise, it all crossed her expressive face. Also, a whole lot of determination. The woman obviously wanted that ring.
"Are you going to give me an answer?" I asked, not too concerned. Okay, honestly, I was still nervous as all hell.
"Hmm? Got it." She held the ring up, triumphant. "Look at it, it's gorgeous! I love it."
"Is that a yes? Jean?"
Finally, she stopped, ring already on her finger and gaze full of emotion. "Of course I'll marry you."
Christ, the smile on my face. It was huge. "You will?"
She jumped out of the chair, throwing her arms around me. "Yes, yes, yes."
"Okay. Good." A wave of relief washed over me. "Whew."
"I love you, Eric."
"Love you too, sweetheart."
My brother Joe stood, holding his glass aloft. "To Jean and Eric."
"And Ada," added Nell.
"Too Jean, Eric, and Ada. Congratulations, guys."
There was cheering, clapping, and more bottles popping. Even Ada seemed caught up in it all, doing her cute little baby laugh. Samuel woke up with a cry, but Nell soon settled him with hugs and kisses. I had my girls, I had my family, I had my bar.
