"That's right."
"What?"
"So either you designate a legal guardian, in case of your death, or Emily will have to be adopted by your partner. Otherwise, she'll end up in an orphanage." My head is about to explode. Emily would be parentless and thrown into an orphanage, awaiting adoption.
Panic assails me. It's like being in a bubble. I miss the air.
"Jace!" I hear Maddie's voice, but it seems so far away. "Love, I'm here. Breathe!" I feel her squeeze my hand. Then her hands are on my face. "Jace, look at me! Please! Everything will be fine! Trust me!"
I nod. I want to believe her. It will be fine.
She kisses me and goes to make milk for Emily. I’ll solve this problem tomorrow. Tonight must be a light and fun night, a special one for Maddie. I notice that she’s looking at me, and I blow her a kiss.
* * *
Ayden and I cook dinner while Chris and Lorie talk and play with Emily. I catch a glimpse of Maddie talking to Ashley on the sidelines and then going upstairs.
"I thought ... I might move here again," Ayden begins.
"Really? Would you come home after what? Seven years?"
"Eight, but yes. Lorie would like to move here, and why not? I feel ready to have a relationship, too."
"It would be great to have you here!"
"Have here, who?" Maddie asks.
"Lorie and Ayden. They want to move here!"
"Does this day have more surprises in store for me? Because I don't know how much my heart can take!"
"Only one," I tell her with a wink, and she blushes.
God, how much I love her!
* * *
"You can stay next door! You, baby, will come and live with us, won't you?" I see her looking at me with her mouth open.
"What is it? You want to go back and forth forever? Emily would love to have you here!"
"Emily, huh?" Ayden retorts as I throw him the cloth, which he grabs while giving me the middle finger.
Maddie approaches and hugs me. "Are you sure you want me here?"
"Here and in our lives ... forever."
She gets up on her toes and kisses me.
I look into her eyes, losing myself in that look that stole my soul. My heart explodes with happiness. The fear of losing her today made me think that life is too short to be wasted. I want a life with her.
* * *
"Oh-oh, baby, look there," I hear Ayden whisper to Lorie. I smile. He may be an asshole, but my brother knows me better than anyone.
* * *
I kneel in front of Maddie. Out of the corner of my eye, I see Ashley returning to the living room. "You know, today I understood so many things. You’re an angel who has appeared in our lives. When you knocked on my door, I thought you wanted to sell me something. But you have stolen my heart and my daughter's. Despite your shifts in the hospital, the sleepless nights spent with us, your smiles, and your kindness have made me realize that you’re more impressive than I thought. I fell madly in love with you one morning when I saw you asleep on the sofa with Emily in your arms. Since then, I’ve loved you more and more, naively believing that I loved you with all of myself. " Tears fall from her eyes as she squeezes my hands.
"Today, the fear of losing you and seeing you ready to sacrifice yourself for us, even though we’re nothing to you, made me love you even more. I love you immensely, baby. I'm not a millionaire, and I certainly can't offer you the world, but I put my humble life in your hands. And I promise that no one else in this world can love you more than I can. Here I am asking if you’d do me the honor of sharing your life with me. Maddie, will you marry me? "
She looks at me, crying as she gets on her knees in front of me. I wipe away her tears, and she smiles, placing her cheek in my hand. "I love you too, Jace. Actually, I love you both. Without you, my life would have no meaning."
"So, that's a yes?”
"Of course, it's a yes, love!"
I kiss her as Ayden and Chris start whistling, waking Emily. Both Lorie and Ashley slap them in the back of the heads, and the two grumbles.
Maddie wipes her tears and goes to Emily as Ashley comes up to congratulate me.
"Congratulations, Jace. Don't ever leave her. Maddie really loves you."
"I know, Ash...”
"Trust me. You don't know because this is worth more than a yes." She hands me Emily's file folder, and I gasp.
Maddie filled out and signed all the forms.
I approach Maddie, hugging her. "I didn't know if you’d agree…” she starts.
I kiss her. I don't need words, and I don't need any proof of her love.
* * *
Maddie has shown me that love—real, pure, and sincere love—really exists over the past few weeks.
And I love her even more.
* * *
THE END
About the Author
Hello everyone! My name is Adina, and I am a contemporary romance author.
Who would have ever thought that?! Definitely not me!
Yes, I know what you are thinking, but I’m not crazy, at least not entirely. I’ve always been passionate about books, and then someone encouraged me to write. And you know what? I did it, experiencing such a blissful emotion.
Books have always been my safe haven. A place where I could seek refuge whenever reality seemed too difficult to face.
I am an Italian mother and wife residing in Italy. As everyone knows, that means a thousand things to do, and little time to do so. But with the right support, you can do just about any and everything. If you can dream it and believe it, you can achieve it too!
I love to cook and bake exquisite desserts. I also enjoy traveling, visiting new places, discovering new cultures, and getting to know new people. I am one of those people who make friends quite easily, and for me, it is a remarkable trait.
So if you ever happen to see me around, do not hesitate to stop me even if it’s just for a simple “hello.” That would make me extremely happy!
A big hug to all of you!
* * *
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Facebook page:
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Website/Blog: www.thebookscharm.com
Also by Adina D. Grey
Take me to Heaven
Our Afterlife Forever
In a Heartbeat Page 6