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“It’s not Katie I’m talking about,” she mumbles, hiding her face behind the bowl she’s holding so I can’t see her smirk.
“Sorry, I’m no Dylan or Joel orGrayson, but would you get your ass out here?” I say, grabbing her waist and pulling her in the direction of the door.
“Ooh…I love when grumpy Wes returns.”
“I’ll show you grumpy Wes,” I say, bouncing my eyebrows as I place her bowl on the counter and throw her over my shoulder in a fireman’s hold, chuckling as she squeals between laughter. “Put me down, you big caveman.”
“Nope, not until you listen to me sing…and love it.”
A few of the guys cheer as I carry Luce outside, and I recognize Thomas’s voice as I drop her feet to the ground.
“Don’t let her move,” I say to Thomas, giving him a knowing grin.
He nods, just as Lucy’s eyes narrow in our direction. “What are you two up to?”
Thomas and I became close after Lucy and I officially got together, but now that he plays for San Francisco it’s even better. Although, along with Carter, he’s currently trying to convince me to throw my hat in the ring for the receiver coaching position they have going. But I’m finally happy. I’m not sure I want to risk losing that. So, while I’m sure I’d love to be around my old team and friends, I think I’ll probably stay put. Plus, working for the Heartwood U Lions has one thing that the pros will never have…Lucy. Being in the same building definitely has its benefits.
With Thomas knowing what I’m about to do, he pulls his lips into his mouth and ignores Lucy’s question, until she punches him in his arm.
I huff out a laugh and shake my head as I move toward the makeshift stage. “Just stay there.Please,” I beg, only smiling when Lucy nods.
After picking up the mic, I wait for Katie to join her mother’s side and then smile at my girls. My life. Those two are everything to me, and I’ll forever be grateful for that day on the beach.
Katie gives me a nod as though she’s in on my plan, making my smile widen.She’s got no idea.
Taking a deep breath, I hit the button to begin and raise the mic.
The intro for “Your Song,” by Elton John plays and my eyes find my family again, determined to block everything else out. I still hate singing—despite doing it for Katie whenever she asks me to—and today’s even more nerve-racking.
When the chorus comes, I press pause and take another deep breath.
“Before I continue embarrassing myself—”
“We love you, Wes,” Joel interrupts with a cheer, and I wave nervously.
“Thanks, man. Before I continue, I’d like to invite a special someone to join me up here. Over the past year and a half she’s become my world, and I have a question to ask her.”
My heart slams in my chest as my eyes lock with Katie, trying hard not to focus on Lucy.
“Katie Kelly, will you come up on stage?”
Katie’s eyes widen and she squeals before turning to Lucy. I make the mistake of following her gaze, and the moment my eyes meet with Lucy’s, my heart falters, seeing her tears. Dammit. I can’t get emotional yet.
Biting the inside of my cheek, I wait as Katie runs toward me, and when she joins my side, I clasp our fingers together, dropping down to one knee. “Katie, this song is for you.”
She smiles brightly and dances along as I sing, sometimes mouthing the words along with me. The second the song’s finished, my heart rate picks up as my eyes briefly flash to Lucy’s before settling back on the wonderful little girl in front of me.
“Katie, my Katie. You and your mother are my world. I’m the luckiest guy alive to have you both in my life. But I want more. Will you do me the honor of becoming my daughter and letting me marry your mom?”
Everyone’s silent, so I hear Lucy gasp as Katie goes quiet for a beat, which is very unlike her. But after a second, she leans in close and wraps her arms around my neck.
“Yes, but I already am your daughter. I love you, Daddy.”
Holy fucking fuck!There goesanystrength I had left to keep my shit together. Tears prick my eyes as I squeeze her tightly before pulling her back to look in her eyes.
“Katie, you’re right,” I rasp, choking back my emotions. “You are definitely my daughter. But I want to make it official. So what do you say…do you want to become Katie Johnson?”
“Yes!” She cheers before turning around to find Lucy. “Mom!”
