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It was a life a poor kid from a broken house of violence could never have imagined.
The tent cleared out but Willow remained at the entrance, peeking through the flap at the audience. I moved to stand beside her.
“I see my parents,” she said. “My mother’s hat could provide shade for an entire village.”
Dan and Regina still lived in New York but visited Indiana twice a year. Breaking down the walls between us was a slow process, although Regina embraced me more readily than Daniel. He was proud. His apology didn’t come in one sentence. It took countless visits for him to finally grasp his daughter’s happiness. And the gratitude in his eyes as she laughed or smiled was apology enough for me.
Likewise, the relationship between Willow and her parents was improving, largely because of Willow’s generosity. My girl was filled with love. Bottomless. After being dimmed for so long, her light was blinding.
I glanced down at her, then back to the audience. Intermission was almost over. The two of us stood behind a curtain, waiting to take the stage together.
This was the perfect place. The perfect time.
There was no other.
Sorry, Marty, I thought. I can’t wait another minute.
As I mentally went over my prepared words, Willow moved closer. Her shoulder warm along my shoulder, her hand slipping into mine. “Isaac?”
“Mm.”
“There’s something I need to tell you. I was going to wait but I can’t. Not one more second.” Her lips brushed against my ear. “I’m pregnant.”
Every thought in my head evaporated as I stared at her. “What?”
She was radiant, joy coming out of her pores, shining in the blue topaz of her eyes. “I’m pregnant. I’m going to have a baby. Your baby.”
“My baby…”
My heart. God my fucking heart was going to explode out of my chest with happiness when I already thought it couldn’t contain a single ounce more.
She bit her lip, watching my dumbstruck reaction. “Are you happy? Or are you worried it’s too soon? Or…?”
“You really are?”
She nodded.
“Holy shit.” A shocked laugh burst out of me. “Holy shit, for real?”
“For real.”
I laughed again and ran a hand through my hair. “Fuck. I can’t remember any of my lines.” I took hold of her face, falling into the bright blue of her eyes. “You’re going to have a baby?”
She nodded, tears slipping down her cheek. “Yes, honey. I am.” She took my hand and put it over her stomach. “We are. I suspected I was pregnant a few weeks ago, and I took a test this morning.” She grinned. “I passed.”
“Oh my God.” I staggered away, then came back to kiss her again and again. “Is this my life?”
Her head nodded under my chin. “It is,” she whispered, and then her shoulders heaved a tremendous sigh. “I’m so glad you’re happy. I didn’t know how you’d react. I mean, we’re not even married.”
Another happy, disbelieving laugh burst out of me, and I reached into my pocket. “No, we’re not married,” I said, bringing out the box. “It’s lucky I happen to have this lying around.”
I held it up for her to see.
Willow’s eyes widened and her hands flew to her mouth. “Isaac…”
“I figured we might need it in case you ever wanted to make an honest man of me. I guess that day is today.”
“Oh my God.”
