Love eternal, Dakota
“Wow.” Providence’s smile told him everything he needed to know. She pushed out of the chair and dropped a light kiss on his lips. “Thank you. They’re gorgeous.”
“Like the note?” he asked.
He loved her sleepy smile. “I love the note.Loveit.”
“What does it say?” Sammy asked. “Can I read it?”
Providence sat beside Sammy and showed her the card. “Love et…etra…etnal.” Sammy furrowed her brow. “I can’t know this word.”
Dakota took his seat at the head of the table. “Eternal.”
“What’s that?”
“It means forever.”
Dakota clasped Providence’s hand and gave it a little squeeze.
“Can we give Provi her present now?”
Providence’s eyes grew wide. “There’s more?”
Dakota retrieved the small box from the kitchen drawer and set it in front of Providence.
“For me?” Providence glanced from Dakota to Sammy. “Why am I getting a present?”
Sammy shrugged. “We like you!”
Providence smiled at Sammy. “I like you guys, too.” She shifted her gaze to Dakota. “So much.”
“Open it,” Dakota said.
Providence put her arm around Sammy and gave her a little squeeze before she opened the box.
“It’sbeautiful.” Two intertwined diamond hearts dangled from a white gold necklace. “Thank you, both. This is a very special gift.”
“Daddy and I went to a store and I picked it out. Daddy told the lady that he wanted a very special necklace for a very special person.”
Providence’s gaze locked with Dakota’s. “This was so thoughtful of you.” She clasped the jewelry around her neck. “It’s stunning.”
After Providence hugged Sammy, she said, “You can hug Daddy, too.”
“That’s a good idea.” Providence rose. “I think I will.”
“Thank you so much,” she murmured, wrapping her arms around him. Dakota dropped a soft kiss on her lips and Sammy giggled.
“Ew, kissing. That’s yucky.”
Laughing, Providence broke away. “Who wants eggs to go with that oatmeal I see cooking on the stove?”
“I don’t like oatmeal,” Sammy said. “I want my cereal.”
“Samantha, oatmeal is good for you,” Dakota said, using his serious tone.
As Providence got out the eggs, she asked Sammy what she wanted to do for a job when she was older.
“I want to be a race car driver.”
