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He came off the bed, still holding both her hands. “You have every right. Maya….” He hesitated, bit his lip. “You said that wasalmosteverything you’d been hoping for. What else was there?”
She looked away fast. “Nothing. It doesn’t matter, Caleb.”
One hand rose, palm gentle on her cheek, turning her to face him again. “Come on, Maya, tell me the truth. Please. Because…I’m hoping for more, too.”
She felt her eyes widen as she searched his. “Caleb?”
“I’m in love with you, Maya. I don’t want to marry you for the sake of the babies, or to save your reputation or mine, or anything else. I want to marry you because I don’t ever want to have to spend a day of my life without you. And I’m sitting here like a big idiot hoping to God you feel the same way about me.”
Her lips trembled, and tears spilled onto her cheeks. “I do love you, Caleb. I have all along.”
He cupped her face and kissed her, long and slow and deeply. And when he straightened away again, he took a small velvet box from his pocket. “This is the other gift Dad mentioned.” He opened the lid to reveal a glittering diamond engagement ring, its large teardrop-shaped stone utterly flawless. “This was my mother’s, as well. And I know she’d want you to wear it.”
Taking the ring from its nest, he slipped it onto Maya’s finger. “Will you marry me, Maya? For real?”
“Yes,” she whispered. “Yes, Caleb, I will.”
He kissed her softly again. “In an hour?”
“I…” Her eyes flew open. “An hour?”
“What did you think I’d been running around planning for all day?”
“But…an hour?”
“What’s wrong, darling? Do you need help getting ready that soon?”
“Maybe a little,” she said, her tone sarcastic.
He grinned at her, gave her a devilish wink and one last kiss, then went to the door and pulled it open. “Would all my pending in-laws please come in now?”
One by one, her sisters came in the door. Selene, and then Mel, and then Kara. Her mother came in last and let the door go.
“No, no, no. That’s not everybody,” Caleb said, snatching the door before it closed all the way, opening it wide once more. “I saidallmy pending in-laws.”
Several confused frowns were aimed at him. And then it became clear.
Edain Brand, the prodigal daughter, walked through the door, looking even more beautiful than she had when she’d left home two years before.
“Edie? Oh my God, Edie?” Maya cried.
Kara, Selene and Mel mobbed her with hugs, and when they parted, Edie faced Vidalia.
Their eyes met, and for just one brief second Maya wondered if the old tension would rise up yet again between them. But then Vidalia smiled and opened her arms, and Edie rushed into them.
Maya met Caleb’s eyes across the room. “You did this, didn’t you?”
“Merry Christmas,” he said.
Edie and Vidalia pulled apart, and Edie went to Maya, hugged her gently, and said, “I can’t believe I’m an aunt twice over.”
“It’s so good to have you home, Edie.”
“It’s good to be home, hon.”
They separated, and again Maya looked toward the door. Caleb blew her a kiss and slipped quietly out of the room.
* * *
