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I turn to look at him over my shoulder, giving him a little smirk. "Oh, yeah? I'm your woman, huh?"
Drake spins me around in his arms and crashes his lips down on mine. He takes control right away, kissing me hard and deep, letting me know beyond a shadow of a doubt that I belong to him.
When we finally break apart for air, he rests his forehead on mine, both of us breathing heavily.
"I'm hoping you'll be my wife," he whispers. My eyes go wide as I tip my head back. Drake cups the side of my neck, brushing his thumbs along my jawline. "I'm hoping you'll give me a lot more children. I'm hoping you and Carson will be my family, forever. I want a ring on your finger and signed adoption papers as soon as fucking possible."
"Drake…" I barely manage to breathe out, tears stinging the back of my eyes.
"I know that's not part of your plan, and that it might be too soon, but—"
"Yes," I squeak out through the tears that have started to fall down my cheeks.
"Yes?" His deep blue eyes spark with hope. The eagerness and love reflected there are both endearing and intense, much like Drake himself.
I nod my head while I gather my thoughts. He drops his hands down to mine, lacing our fingers together as he awaits my response.
"You're right, finding love was never the plan, but I was right about you from the very beginning." I pull one of my hands away from his and brush my fingertips along his temple and cheek, cupping the side of his face. "That first day, after I drove away from the daycare, I thought that you just might be the kind of unplanned interruption I needed in my life."
Drake smiles at me with unshed tears of his own. He leans forward and kisses my forehead, my nose, and finally my lips before he kneels down in front of me. I look down at him, this man who has been so kind, accepting, and patient with me, and any lingering doubts about spending the rest of my life with him disappear completely.
"Carson, buddy, want to get that little present I showed you yesterday?" he says over his shoulder.
I furrow my brow, but Drake just smiles and winks at me.
"In the tree?" Carson asks from somewhere in the living room.
"Yup, bring it over. Remember what we talked about?" Carson comes padding over to us and snuggles in next to Drake's side. My boys are both staring up at me, Drake on one knee while Carson hands him the little jewelry box.
"Family," Carson says with a big smile on his face. "We gonna be family now."
"That's right, little man."
I can't help the sob that escapes my lips. He's so freaking sweet and good to both of us. I don't feel like I deserve a happy ending like this one, but I know Drake will prove to me every day that I do.
"What do you say, angel? Will you marry me and let me be your family? You and Carson?"
"I want that more than anything," I whisper, my voice clogged with tears.
Drake opens the box and slips a gorgeous, vintage ring on my finger before scooping Carson up and wrapping his arms around both of us. He holds us in his warm, protective embrace, whispering how much he loves us.
Our moment is broken when someone knocks on the door. "Ding-dong! Open up and let me see that sweet little boy and the lovely woman who got you to come to your senses and settle down!"
"Mom," comes a second, exasperated voice. Drake's mother, I assume.
I laugh while Drake rolls his eyes and shakes his head. "We're starting off strong," he chuckles, giving me one more kiss on the forehead before setting Carson down and heading to the door.
"Hi, Grandm—"
"Yes, yes, hello, hello," she says in a rush, brushing him off and turning her sights on me. Drake laughs again and turns to give his mom a hug.
"Well, look at you!" Mable exclaims, bending down to talk to Carson. "I've always wanted great-grandbabies." My eyes go wide, but Drake just grins and winks at me. "And you," Mable continues, standing up and giving me a fierce hug. When she steps back, she immediately grabs my left hand. Mable looks over her shoulder and glares at Drake. "You proposed without me!" she exclaims, making Drake chuckle.
"You don't have to be here for every single moment," he says, coming over to stand by my side. He wraps an arm around my waist and pulls me further into him.
"Oh, pish-posh," she says, waving her hand in the air as if to dismiss the thought. She turns back to me, giving me the warmest, most inviting smile. "I can tell from the happy tears in your eyes he just popped the big question a few minutes ago." I nod my head, giving her a big smile right back. She glares at Drake again, though there's no malice in her eyes. "Couldn't wait five minutes for your dear old grandma to come witness the happy couple?"
"It's a miracle I waited as long as I did," he responds easily.
