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“Hey baby,” he said softly and leaned down. Travis gently brushed his lips across my flaming cheek. “I thought you and Casey were going shopping?” he asked, dropping down into the chair beside me.
“We wanted a bite to eat first,” Casey said, saving me from blurting out a jumble of words that I knew would not have made any sense. “Besides, this child is hungry and I need to feed it.”
That’s right. Three days after they were married, Casey came down with what she thought was the stomach flu. Turns out, it was the type of ‘flu’ that usually lasts about nine months and ends with a new, tiny human being born into the world. Jason grinned like he’d just been handed the keys to the world. They had yet to make the announcement official, but Travis and I knew, along with his parents, her dad, and Russell’s new girlfriend, Darlene.
“Do you think I could steal my woman away for a second?” Travis asked, even though Jason and Casey were so lost in one another they didn’t hear a word.
“Calling me ‘your woman’ now, are you?” I laughed as Travis held out his hand and helped me up from my seat.
“Of course.” He gave me a gentle tug and pulled me in close. His arms wrapped around me, holding me secure to his body. “You’re my woman and I’m your man.” His beautiful brown eyes gazed into mine.
“And he’s my daddy and you’re my Dee Dee!” Amie called out unexpectedly. Genuinely surprised, I looked up to see her rushing towards us, clutching a bouquet of flowers in her hand.
“Hi, Munchkin!” I squealed, beyond excited to see her. Amie flew into my arms and placed one of her signature sloppy kisses on my cheek.
“Hi, Dee Dee!” Amie kissed me again before pulling back from my arms. I was just about to ask her what was wrong when my name rang out again.
“Dee! Dee!” Two more voices,myboys, joined in with Amie’s.
“Boys!” I shouted as I dropped to my knees. In an instant, I had Amie, Nathan, and Daniel all in my arms, smothering their sweet little faces with dozens of kisses. “What are you all doing here?” I asked, bursting with happiness. Ever since Dennis moved back, I’d gotten to see the boys regularly. Dennis and I had figured out an arrangement that worked for both our schedules. He and Travis also put their differences aside for the sake of the kids’ well-being. I was so happy. I had myentirefamily back.
“I asked Dennis if the boys could join us for a bit today,” Travis explained as a strong, capable hand settled upon my shoulder.
I was about to ask why when Travis shocked me by suddenly dropping to his knees. My vision blurred as he reached into his suit pocket and pulled out a black velvet jewelry box. I watched frozen in place as he cracked the lid, exposing the most breathtaking solitaire emerald cut diamond. More tears coursed down my cheeks as my gaze flicked between the ring and Travis’s face.
“Deandra Cavanaugh,” he began. “From the first moment I saw you, I knew there was no one else in this world for me. I’m not sure if it was your confidence or your strength or your super sexy sass that made me fall in love with you, but I did. You’ve brought light and joy into my life. You’re the last thing I think about before I go to bed at night and when morning comes, I’m excited to open my eyes because I know the first thing I see is you.”
I had to bite my lip to keep from whimpering as he continued.
“I know we haven’t been together long, but it’s true what they say. That when you know, you know, and I know. I love you so much, baby. And Amie loves you and your boys love you. Hell, everyone loves you.” That part elicited a giggle from the children present. Through my tears, I shot him with a warning to keep it PG because of them.
“But I promise you, I will love you long after the breath has left my body and our bodies have turned to stardust. Until then, I will spend every day making sure that you and Amie, and the rest of our family . . .” he looked back at the boys. “. . . are happy. So, will you let me do everything I promised and agree to be your husband? Will you marry me, sweetheart? Will you be my wife?”
Who couldn’t say yes to a proposal like that one? Especially when all three kids stepped forward and handed me a flower, asking me to be a part of their lives too? This woman certainly couldn’t say no. However, it would have been a lot less embarrassing if my answer hadn’t come out sounding like a tear-soaked garbled mess. Fortunately, Travis was fluent in gibberish and pulled me into his arms and kissed the crap out of me after he slid my engagement ring onto my finger.
“Does this mean that’s a yes?” he laughed as he brushed my hair back from my face and kissed me again.
“It’s a yes, baby,” I whispered joyfully. “It is and will always be a yes.”
I mean, it had to be a yes. Once upon a time, there was a little girl who made three wishes. The first, for a successful legal career. The second, for a husband who loved her beyond anything in this world. The last, the sound of children filling their home. It wasn’t that long ago that that little girl thought all her wishes had come true, only to have them ripped away. But they hadn’t. Her wishesdidcome true when Travis MacDaniel walked into her life, and unlike all the rest, he stayed.
Epilogue
Runa-The Night of the Bachelor/Bachelorette Party
“AreyousureDee’sokay?” Casey worried her glass back and forth while keeping an eye on the door that Travis had just carried her through.
“Yes.” I reached out and soothed her arm. “My sister’s a big girl who can’t hold her liquor as well as she used to. I don’t think we need to worry about her. Travis seems like a decent dude and Jason said that he knows where he lives, so I'll know where to find him if things go south.”
Casey and I sat talking about all what had just gone down. Some over-gelled douchewad had been hitting on random women all night and pounced when my sister passed out. Travis had seen the ass weasel male his move and pandemonium ensued. Travis reached them in a second and proceeded to beat the shit out of the creep. Dee swayed on her feet, too intoxicated to realize what had happened. Travis had scooped up my sister as if she weighed nothing and carried her out before telling me he was taking her home. I was grateful for the rare night out, even if it had come with some unexpected fireworks.
“Casey?” I heard her fiancé, Jason, call out to us from behind. A second later, Casey was instantly in Jason’s arms and he was asking if she was okay.
“I’m great!” she cheered, more than slightly inebriated. “But I’m worried about Dee. She had so duch to brink, maby.” She hiccupped, coughed, then giggled.
“Looks like she’s not the only one,” Jason laughed and pulled her closer.
“I’m sorry about all that, everybody. Security is holding that creep until the police get here. I’m so sorry that we didn’t catch him in time before he tried to ruin your party.” A man’s voice suddenly spoke as I felt him step around me. I glanced up to put a face to the sound and nearly fell down from shock.
