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“Daddy,” Ruby whispered, sounding worried. “She’s crying.”
Gabe ran his hand down the length of his daughter’s hair reassuringly. “It’s okay, baby. They’re happy tears.” Then he removed the tiny box from its perch and glanced back at Hope, the first signs of nerves awakening in his eyes. “I hope,” he added under his breath before he sunk onto one knee in front of her.
“Oh—” she breathed.
“Hope.” Gabe swallowed, emotion thickening his voice. “I know we haven’t known each other all that long, and I know I haven’t always made the time we have had easy. I know that you deserve a million times more than I could ever give you. But I also know that I don’t want to go another day without knowing you’ll be mine. I know I can’t think about the future without you in it. I know I can’t imagine this house if you’re not here in it with us, breathing life into every corner. Bringing life into it.” His eyes burned earnestly into hers. “And I know I love you, Hope Morgan, with my whole heart. Will you marry me?”
Beside him, Ruby dropped to both knees and pressed her palms together, prayer style. “I love you too, Hope Morgan. I want to marry you, too.” Her big green eyes shone brightly.
A watery laugh escaped Hope as she took in the sight of the two of them on bended knees before her. Her very heart living outside her body. She wondered how she’d gotten so lucky, then decided it didn’t matter as she opened her arms wide and gathered them both into her embrace.
“Yes,” she cried, her voice muffled against Gabe’s shoulder. “Of course, I will. You know I will.”
It was all Hope needed. Gabe and Ruby, wherever they were was her home. The three of them together, maybe even four. Her hand fluttered down to her belly at the thought. She would know in a few weeks. But for now, she had all she could have ever imagined and more.
Everything else was just a bonus.
* * *
