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“It will,” I said. “But all of that is up to you. I will support you no matter what you choose.” She squeezed my hand. “I’m going to be a father,” I repeated.
I let the thought linger in my mind. I had to admit, I liked the idea of a family. One of my own creation. I would certainly be a better father than my biological one was, but I would spend a considerable amount of energy trying to be half as good as Hank had been. Maybe I would have to take up singing lessons.
We spoke about our fears, and there were a few on her side. But they were ones I could help her with by simply being supportive.
“I know I have a strained relationship with my mom,” she said. “But Wendy thinks the sun rises and sets with her from how she grew up friends with us before Mom got sick. I hope this will help mend some of those fences again.”
“I think it will,” I said. “I just hope we can be like Lana and Hank.”
“Me too,” she said. She had been able to meet them weeks ago when they dropped by during a trip to Orlando. They had loved her, and it felt like she loved them too.
“So, I guess, this should come as no surprise,” I said, taking my own deep breath. “But I love you.”
“I love you too,” she said. We paused. “That’s the first time we’ve said that, isn’t it?”
“On purpose,” I said. “You said it once on the phone by accident.”
“You did too,” she laughed. “I wasn’t going to say anything.”
I smiled.
“Well, I know usually people are able to admit that sort of thing for a while before going the next step, but since we kind of skipped a lot of steps already,” I said, gesturing at her belly, “I figure that what I am about to do might not be so much of a leap.”
“What are you talking about?” she asked.
I stood up and knelt in front of her, fishing out the ring from my pocket. It had been one of the other reasons I had Hank and Lana come by on their trip. Lana wanted to give me her engagement ring to use when I told her my plan.
“Malia, I don’t want to go another day without knowing you are mine forever. Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” she exclaimed, and I slipped the ring on her finger as tears streamed from her face. “I love you!”
A chorus of applause around us almost drowned her out, but I leaned in, pressing a kiss to her lips.
“I love you too,” I said. “Always and forever.”
