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He lifted her chin. “Is that a yes?”
“It’s a yes.” She smiled, tears streaming down her face. “Sorry, hormones. I never cry this much.” She held out her hand, and he slid the ring home. A perfect fit. Grateful, he smiled at his two sisters.
Brooke promptly burst into tears again.
Frowning, he pulled her closer. “What’s wrong? We can really get another ring...”
“I love my ring!” Brooke sobbed.
“Happy tears.” Lindsay smiled.
Outside, the dogs were going mad.
“What’s up with the dogs?” Charlie said, getting up. “Let me go and—”
But Gavin stopped her with his hand. “I know why they’re barking.” Looking down at Brooke, he wiped away her tears. “We haven’t discussed this, but I hope you won’t be mad.”
Brooke frowned. “Mad about what?”
“Connor, come on. I have a surprise for you. Well, probably for your mom, as well.” And with his arm around Brooke and Connor’s hand in his, they walked outside, his sisters hot on their heels.
Bear and Sasha and Lucy were running around his SUV, barking hysterically. When they saw them coming out of the house, they went ballistic.
“Sasha! Bear! Lucy!” Charlie called, but the dogs ignored her.
Gavin quickly opened one of the doors in the back and took out a box. “Okay, guys, come and meet your new neighbor.” He put the box on the ground and opened it.
The three dogs jumped up the sides of the box, yelping.
“A Labrador puppy!” Charlie rushed forward and picked up the small, wriggling puppy. “Oh, Connor, look.” She bent down, picked up the puppy, and showed it to Connor.
Connor’s eyes were like saucers when he looked at his mother. “Can I touch it?”
“You may.” Brooke smiled.
Charlie put the puppy in the little boy’s arms. “Can...may we keep it, Mom?”
Tears were again streaming down Brooke’s cheeks as she nodded. Worried, Gavin pulled her close. “I should’ve asked you first...”
Smiling, she leaned against him. “Yes, you should’ve, but look at Connor’s face. You’re forgiven.”
Kissing Brooke’s temple, Gavin exhaled slowly as he watched Connor playing with the puppy. He’d heard about the puppies a while ago, and had asked the owner to keep one for him. At the time, he’d thought to get it for Connor, and if Brooke didn’t want a puppy, he’d keep it himself. But now they were going to be a family, they were going to be together. Forever.
He waited for the panic to set in, but the only feeling he could identify was of overwhelming gratitude. With the puppy in his arms, Connor rushed toward his mom.
“Look, Mom. I have a puppy. Does it have a name, Uncle...Dad?”
Brooke caught her breath, and Gavin had to swallow a few times before he could speak. Crouching down in front of the little boy, he nodded. “I thought we could call him Jack...son, but it’s your dog, you decide.”
Connor smiled, petting the puppy. “Jack. I like it. Thanks, Dad.”
Gavin picked up the boy and puppy and put an arm around Brooke. This beautiful, talented woman loved him; she was carrying his baby and had welcomed him to be a part of her small family, as well. He had a whole lifetime ahead of him to love them.
“So why are the dogs going crazy?” Eleanor asked behind them.
“I can’t believe you’ve stayed away all this time.” Charlie grinned and hugged her. “We have big news. Big. But...” She pointed toward Eleanor’s face. “You probably know, don’t you?”
“Granma, look, a puppy!” Connor cried out. “And Uncle Gavin is going to be my new dad and he’s also going to be Baby’s new dad. And we—”
