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Tears flow down my cheeks, and I’m holding onto Madeline so hard that she squirms to get down. “I’m sorry,” I murmur to her. My hand is shaking when Marshall holds the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen up to me. I nod because I can’t make the words come.
“I need to hear you say it.”
“Y-Yes,” I whisper. “Yes,” I say again, louder this time.
Marshall stands, slides the ring onto my finger, and takes Madeline, who has been reaching for him. “Maddie, I know you’re too young to understand, but I promise to love you and be the best father I can possibly be.”
A sob breaks free from my chest. All I can manage to do is launch myself at him. The three of us stand here in an embrace until my tears subside. “So, does this mean you’re moving in?” Marshall asks.
“If I pay some of the bills.”
“I don’t need your money, Wren.”
“I don’t need yours either. I have a new job, and the pay is pretty sweet.” I smile up at him.
“Fine, we can work out the details, but this new living arrangement starts tonight.”
“I have to pack up my place.”
“Oh, honey, we’re definitely going to be packing up your place. I’ve got my brothers on speed dial. The five of us, well three, Grant and Conrad get a pass since they’re new dads, but trust me, we won’t need them.”
He proceeds to pull his phone out of his pocket and calls his brothers, asking for help moving Madeline and me into his place on Saturday. “That gives you all week to pack and tell me what we’re keeping and what we’re donating.”
“Madeline’s stuff is all that I need.”
“Oh, that reminds me. I have to show you something.” With Madeline perched on his hip and his hand on the small of my back, he leads us upstairs to the bedrooms. “Open that one.” He points to the door that’s located directly across from the master suite.
Pushing open the door, I gasp. “Marshall.” I turn to look at him, and he offers me a sheepish smile. “It took me some time, but I found the same furniture that you have. I wasn’t sure you would say yes to moving in, and I didn’t plan to propose tonight. It just sort of happened. I was feeling it.” He winks. “Anyway, I wanted you and Maddie to both feel comfortable when you stayed over.”
“If I wasn’t already wearing your ring, I’d be begging you to spend the rest of your days with me,” I tell him. Going up on my toes, I kiss him softly. “Thank you for this. You have no idea what it means to me.”
“I do, baby. And you have no idea what it means to me to know we’re going to be a family. You’ve given me two of life’s most precious gifts.” I tilt my head to the side, waiting for him to explain. “Your heart and hers.”
I’m a puddle of goo, and I can only imagine that this is what swooning feels like. I’ve read about it countless times but never personally experienced it. Not until Marshall Riggins walked into my life. I love this man with an intensity that is overwhelming, yet rewarding. I smile up at him as he makes faces at Madeline.
Marshall is our future.
Chapter 23
Marshall
It’s been three weeks since Wren and Madeline moved in with me to my new place. I’ve never known this kind of contentment. Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine settling down would make me the happiest I’ve ever been.
“Wren, how’s the new job going, dear?” Mom asks.
We’re having Sunday dinner at my new place this week. I had it catered from a local restaurant in town. Not that I can’t cook—Mom made sure that all of us could, and Wren can too, but that’s not the point. Today is a housewarming/engagement party of sorts. All four of my brothers are here with their wives and kids. Jase and Sam are here with Aria, and Carrie and Elijah stopped by earlier but had to leave due to a prior commitment. Mom and Dad are sitting on the couch, both holding their new grandsons.
Mom’s holding Bryson while Conrad looks over her shoulder, and Aspen smiles as she watches it go down. Dad’s holding Everett Lee, with Grant sitting right next to him. In fact, if he was sitting any closer, he’d be sitting on Dad’s lap too.
“It’s going really well. The first week with the kiddos was a success.” My fiancée beams with pride and excitement over her new job.
“That’s wonderful news,” Mom praises.
“We did a slow onboarding of kids, so this week it was just Carter, Roan, Madeline, and two other kids. Next week we have five more joining the roster,” Wren explains.
“I plan to stop in and do story time here and there,” Mom says, with Conrad hovering over her shoulder. “Aspen? Aurora?” Mom says, not looking away from Bryson. “Can you please pull your nagging husbands away so we can enjoy some time with our grandsons?”
