AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“When will you come with me to choose a ring?”
“Ah ...thering?” She chuckled. “After Christmas, Rick. There’s too much going on now. The nanny coming tomorrow, my many flights during the holidays, my parents here ... Besides, I plan to dedicate this month to the children. We’ll put up the Christmas tree and decorations with them, help them with their first exams at this school, and watch their soccer games. Mickey wants to start track and Mark basketball. I won’t have a minute to go to a jeweler.”
He was touched by the way she put the children’s needs ahead of hers. Especially ahead of an engagement ring, something that had usually topped all priorities with the women he’d met before.
“All right. We’ll leave the search for a ring until after Christmas.” That wouldn’t prevent him from getting her a special Christmas gift.
He slid out of bed and poured the amaretto to toast their engagement. “To my beautiful fiancée.” They clinked their glasses and sipped.
“Should we tell your parents and my mother?”
“Sure, although I’ll have to explain why we haven’t had time to choose a ring.”
At one a.m., they got dressed and padded to the children’sroom and the cozy sofa.
“Ms. Madison, Daddy, wake up.” Mickey’s hands shook them mercilessly. “I’m glad you slept here. I didn’t have a bad dream.”
“Come here, buddy.” Rick sat and pulled him on his lap. “You too, Mark. We have big news for you. Remember how you wanted us to be a real family? Madison and I decided it was a great idea. We will get married, and she will live here.”
“Dad, that’s fantastic. So Ms. Madison, you’ll be like a mom for us?”
“Yes, Mark. I’ll be like a mom for you. I hope it’s okay with you.”
“It’s wonderful. Thank you, Ms. Madison.” She opened her arms and hugged the radiant boys.
“You can call me Maddy now.”
Michael pouted. “Why can’t I call you Mommy?”
Her beautiful eyes shone with tears, and her lips parted, but no sound came out.
Rick answered for her. “That’s a great idea. Call her Mommy. You too, Mark, if you want.”
“Yes, I’d like that,” Mark said.
“Now, say congratulations, Mommy, because Madison agreed to marry me and live with us.”
“Congratulations, Mommy.” The boys said together.
Madison hugged them both, uttering “I’m so happy” more than a few times.
“When are you getting married, Daddy? Today?” Michael pulled at his father’s sleeve.
Rick exchanged a glance with Madison and smiled. “After Christmas. We’ll be too busy this month setting up the Christmas tree and decorations.”
“Ah, yes. That’s more important.” Mark nodded seriously,and they both burst out laughing.
“Let’s get ready for school.” Rick set them on the floor.
“I’ll help you get dressed while your dad fixes breakfast.”
A joyful peace filled Rick’s heart, forever erasing his past nightmare.
Family life was starting right away.
Chapter Seventeen
Rick met Nanny Maria at the airport while the children were in school and drove her to their house. Dropping her two suitcases in the small guestroom at the end of the hallway, Rick explained, “This will be your room.” He showed her the children’s room and the rest of the house.
