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I pick up my phone when it rings. “We’re almost there, Leslie. How is she?”
“She’s just fine. Just itching to go home.”
“I’ve got a lot to tell her.”
“I’m sure you do. Make sure I get the details too.”
“Obviously. And you can be my maid of honor at the wedding.”
“Really? That was fast! Are you sure about this?”
I glance over and my eyes meet Richard’s happy gaze. “I am so sure.”
“Then I’m happy for you! When is it?”
“Don’t know. But as soon as possible.”
“You know. Out of all my friends you’re the last one I pictured having a rushed wedding. Or any wedding really.”
Laughing, I step out of the car when Richard pulls in to the lot. “I would have agreed with you even a few days ago. We’re here and we’ll with you in a minute. Love ya!”
“Love ya back!
She meets us at the door to the room and pulls me in to a warm hug. “I’m so happy for you.” Then her gaze freezes on Richard. “You better be good to her or you’ll have me to answer to.”
“I wouldn’t dare be anything but nice to Jess. If I did, it would actually be more painful for me. Anything that hurts her hurts me.”
Les sniffles. “That’s honestly beautiful. I wish I could find a good guy like this one.”
“He’s coming for you, Les.”
We turn and walk into the room and Miracle sits up, holding out her pudgy arms and smiling. “Mama, mama!”
I freeze in my tracks and the tears spurt up to my eyes, pushing to get out. I force them down and smile, so happy that it doesn’t even feel like I’m walking. I’m floating through one of the worst and best days of my life.
And when Richard wraps his arms around all of us, I know that it’s all good. All my good and bad days in the future will be with him. He’ll take care of me no matter whether I want him to or not. He’ll harass me about oil changes and getting checkups…but only out of love.
“I love you, Jess. I’m gonna be the best husband and father for this family and I promise, you’ll never regret your choice.”
He leans down and his warm lips dance along mine, making my stomach drop like I’m on the edge of a cliff. A good cliff though. A new start, a new future and a new love with my brand new family.
“I love you too,” I smile on his lips and he pulls me tighter until the kids complain about being squished and both of us draw back laughing.
“Let’s go home, Mama!” Miracle cries in her little lisp.
“I think that’s the best idea I’ve ever heard,” I say, gathering her in my arms while Richard gathers a sleepy Gavin.
Home. I never would have guessed when that attorney got ahold of me that the family and home that I longed for most of my life was right around the corner in the arms of the sweetest, kindest man I’ve ever met.
I can’t imagine my life without him though. He is home. Wherever life takes us, as long as I have him and our family, I’m home.
Epilogue: Richard
“Here’s one for Gavin,” I say, holding out a brightly-wrapped package for him. He grins and grabs it out of my hand.
“Thanks, Dad.” Then he tears into it, squealing with glee when he sees the new practice cage that Jess and I found. He’s been working really hard on his pitching and I think with a little more practice he’ll be ready to move his position.
But the way he says those two little words so confidently makes my heart sing.
