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“The day my ex left the baby girl I didn’t know about in my SUV turned out to be the luckiest day of my life. And yes, for those keeping track, we’re now on the second paternity test of this short story.”
He lowered the microphone and shook his head, laughing to himself as everyone laughed with him again—myself included, though my laughter came through tear-filled eyes.
“Juniper wasn’t the only reason that Wednesday in October was the best day of my life,” he said, his tone going serious.
Knox peered out at the crowd, zeroing in on our area in front of the flower bed to the left of the Christmas tree. Movement from Ryan, next to me, caught my eye, and I realized he was still standing, his phone flashlight on, and was waving it from side to side. Knox noticed him too and nodded.
I shot a confused look up at my brother, but he very deliberately did not look at me as he lowered his arm, sat back down, and kept his attention on Knox.
“You see, that day, not only did I meet my daughter but I met a girl.”
My heart skipped at least three beats as I stared at him across the distance, afraid to move, afraid to breathe.
“When Quincy entered the scene and showed me how to care for my daughter, I went on sheer instinct and did the only thing I could think to do. I begged her to stay and be a nanny for the baby.” Knox stood at the edge of the gazebo, his attention focused on me, our gazes locked in spite of the hundreds of people in between us. “Here’s where it gets controversial—again.” He emphasized the last word.
I laughed with everyone else, and several tears plunged over my lids and dripped down my cheeks. I swiped them away and felt my brother’s supportive arm around me.
“I fell in love with my daughter’s nanny.”
I gasped, and my hands flew to my face, emotion pouring out of me in a mix of laughter and tears. I realized I’d stood, not caring about the hushed comments around me, barely registering Cynthia’s heartfelt, “Aww.”
Still staring at me, Knox continued, “That’s right, people. She’s more than a decade younger than me. My former employee. I know you might be thinking I’m a terrible person. Or I’m a spotlight-loving attention hog. Or I don’t have the sense God gave a goose.”
Instead of laughter, the crowd was quiet, as if waiting to hear what he’d say next—just like me. He studied the ground in front of him for a few seconds before going on.
“You’d be right about that last part. I might be book smart, but I’m here to admit, in front of God and all you people of this amazing town, I was dumber than a box of rocks when it came to Quincy. I was worried about what people would say. Worried I was too old for her, that I’d hold her back if we were together.” He let out a self-effacing laugh. Let several more seconds pass. Then he straightened and looked at me again. “Quincy, I’m sorry I screwed up. I hope you’ll accept this as the heartfelt groveling you deserve and that you’ll give me another chance.”
I was already on my way toward him, across the throng of people, weaving my way, not seeing anyone else as I went, completely zeroed in on the man I loved. The man standing in that lit-up gazebo, baring his heart and soul. For me.
It seemed like forever before he met me just outside of the gazebo, having handed the mic back to the mayor, who made a comment about how hard it was to follow that scene. I barely noticed any of it as I rushed to get to Knox.
As soon as I made it through the crowd, I ran the last few steps to him and jumped into his waiting arms. I never doubted for a second that he’d catch me. Wrapping my legs around him, I kissed him as if my life and my happiness depended on it. On him.
A couple of seconds later, I noticed the applause, the whistles, the cheers coming from the entirety of my little town.Ourlittle town.
Overcome, with tears streaming down my face, I pulled back enough to look in his beautiful, love-filled blue eyes.
“Knox,” I breathed out, grinning bigger than I’d ever grinned in my life.
He stared down at me, so familiar, so good-looking, so perfect for me that my toes curled in my boots. “I love you, Quincy.”
“I love you too. So much.”
We kissed again as the mayor launched into the tree-lighting ceremony, diverting attention from us, introducing the band and the resident of honor who had the privilege of hitting the big switch to turn on the lights. I didn’t pay attention to any of it.
Eventually I noticed someone hovering close by: Ava. With Juniper.
“Oh,” I said, tearing up again. “Come here, Junie Bee.”
I took the subdued baby girl from Ava, who beamed at me. “Another stubborn male pulls his head out,” she joked. “I’m so happy for you two.”
“Three,” I said, then kissed Juniper’s cheek and pulled her into Knox and me.
“Thanks for keeping her, Ava,” Knox said.
“Anytime. You guys have a memorable night,” she said, then hurried off to Cash’s waiting arms.
Juniper leaned her tired head on my shoulder as Knox took my free hand.
