At Stefano, smiling at the child he nearly died protecting.
At Spike and the Shadows filling my home with noise and loyalty.
At Amelia, wearing my ring.
At Olivia, tucked against my chest like she’s always belonged there.
And suddenly, I know there’s one more thing I need to ask.
Not later.
Not privately.
Not after paperwork, lawyers, and proper timing.
Now.
Because this child deserves to know that my love for her is not attached only to my love for her mother.
It’s hers.
All hers.
I lower Livy carefully to the floor, and she looks up at me, confused.
“What?”
I lower myself to one knee in front of her.
The room goes quiet all over again.
Livy’s eyes widen.
“Daddy?”
I take her small hand in mine.
Her good one.
“Olivia Moore,” I say.
Her lips part.
Amelia makes a soft sound beside me, but she doesn’t interrupt.
Smart woman.
She knows this moment belongs to our girl.
“You came into my life like a storm in sparkly boots,” I tell her. “You argued with me, challenged me, protected people smaller than you, and somehow walked straight into a heart I thought would never belong to a child again.”
Livy’s chin trembles.
“You have called me Maverick. Mav. SometimesDon, even when I told you not to.”
A tiny laugh breaks through the room.
Livy sniffles.
