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“Yes,” she pulls back. “I want you to marry Mom.”
“It fills my heart to hear you say that,” I tell her.
We both turn to Brayden. He hasn’t moved or said anything.
“What are you thinking, buddy?” I ask nervously. “I know this is a lot to process—”
“Will you leave too?” he asks, cutting me off.
His words cut me, but I know they aren’t meant because he has reason to doubt my intentions.
“Come here,” I say, picking up Aspen and putting her down on the couch next to Brayden. I sit on the edge of the coffee table so that I can look them both in the eye. “I want you to know that I’m not going anywhere. And I know that simply saying the words to you both won’t take away the concern you have, but if you let me, I will prove to each of you every day how much I love you both and your mom. You all are mine forever. And I hope to be yours.”
Brayden swipes the back of his hand across his cheek and nods. He’s trying to hold back, but I want him to know that he never has to hold back with me. I will carry whatever baggage he needs.
“Come here, buddy.” I hold open my arms to him.
There is only the briefest moment of hesitancy. I will have a lifetime to build his trust in a father figure completely, but we will get there.
Brayden pushes off the couch, and I wrap him in my arms.
“Yes,” he whispers to me.
Aspen pushes off the couch and hugs us both. “Can we talk about presents now?”
Brayden and I both bust up laughing.
“Yes, let’s talk presents.”
I get an extensive list of gift ideas from the both of them that will likely max out my credit cards, but they are worth it. I want this Christmas to be the best one yet. There’s just one more thing to do.
“What are you smiling about?” Elle asks when I walk into the kitchen.
“Nothing. I just got a list that would rival Santa’s from those two.”
“Do not spoil them.”
“You say tomato.” I shrug and pick up one of the cupcakes that she just finished icing. “I say credit card debt is worth buying their love.”
Eloise chuckles. “So much for our future.”
“Speaking of which,” I say and hand her back the cupcake.
“You think cupcakes are our fu—” she stops when she sees the ring pressed into the icing. “What is that?”
“The start of our future,” I say, kneeling down on the ground next to her.
I’m all ready to give the speech I’ve been practicing for weeks, but Elle tackles me to the floor.
“Yes,” she says, peppering me with kisses.
I can’t stop laughing. “But I didn’t even ask you yet.”
“You can do that later.” She smiles. “We need to go celebrate in the pantry.”
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