by Abby Brooks
I smile through a twinge of sadness. It’s been a month since Jackson decided not to move to New York. He bought a house—a smaller version of the one he rented from Ian—and though it’s been fully decorated from the moment we moved in and feels more like a home than any place I’ve ever lived, he’s not mentioned anything more permanent between us.
Which is fine. I know he’s my forever. He’ll propose when he’s ready and that’s totally okay with me. Really, it is. But the more time I spend with Georgia, the more I want to have a little baby of my own. A tiny little combination of me and Jackson. I want to watch him love our child the way he loves her. I want to see him cradle my son or my daughter and look down at that little face with reverence. But since the proper order of things includes a proposal, followed by an engagement, followed by a wedding, before we even get to talk about having babies, I’ve got a lot of waiting ahead of me.
“You guys almost set up in there?” Lilah asks around a mouthful of candy, gesturing towards the bar where Jackson and I have been setting up for our Valentine’s party with the help of his cousins.
“Yep. The guys are nailing the cupid to the wall…”
I pause as Lilah dissolves into girlish giggles. “The guys are nailing Cupid, huh? And you’re okay with that? Because it doesn’t sound the least bit appropriate to me.”
I stare at her, eyes wide. “Those hormones are doing a number on you, aren’t they?”
“You have no idea.” She waves her hand in front of her face. “Ignore me. Go on.”
“Well, as I was saying, the guys are finishing up getting the decorations on the wall…” I pause, waiting to see if she finds anything sexual in that comment before continuing. “And then we’re pretty much done. Fantastic Sam’s is ready to host its second holiday party.”
Lilah finishes the conversation hearts on her belly and then struggles to stand. “Awesome. I’ll just go out and see if they need any help.” And with that, she’s gone before I have a chance to respond.
It’s been hard work, getting the bar set up, but not nearly as hard as it could be. With all of Jackson’s cousins here with their significant others, the work passed quickly, lost in hours of jokes and laughter. I take a moment to rest my head on the shelf behind me and close my eyes, sending out a silent thank you for the happiness Jackson and I have found together. Who would have known life could be this good?
After a few seconds, I stand and follow Lilah into the bar only to draw up short as soon as I step through the door. Jackson’s got a doorframe standing up in the middle of the room. He’s standing just on this side of it with Georgia, staring at me with the strangest look on his face, while his aunt and uncle stand on the other side with all his cousins and their kids.
“What’s going on?”
Jackson licks his lips and reaches out to me. “Come here, Sunshine.”
In a daze, I cross the room and take his hand. “What is this?”
He pauses and swallows before shaking his head and looking back at his family. “I had this all planned out,” he says, running a hand through his hair. “I’m kind of ruining it.”
“Daddy,” whispers Georgia. “Just ask her.”
Jackson chokes out a laugh, all his usual confidence gone. “I want you to step through the door with me,” he says. “Back in January, I told you I was tired of being on the outside. That I realized all I had to do was open the damn door and walk through it. Well, I want you to come with me.” He holds out his other hand, a ring pinched between his thumb and forefinger. “I want you to marry me. Be my wife. Be my Sunshine until I’m old and gray.”
Tears burn in my eyes and I gasp, a little hiccupping sob. “Really?” I whisper, afraid to speak too loudly and blow it all away.
“More than anything.”
I nod, the tears flowing freely now. “Yes,” I whisper. “I want to be your wife more than anything. I think I always have.”
“And my mommy,” says Georgia, showing me a seashell in her hand as Jackson slips the ring on my finger. “I want you to be my mommy.” She kisses the shell and holds it out for me.
I can barely see through the tears as I drop to my knees and gather her into my arms. Jackson follows suit, crouching down and wrapping us up, drawing us into him. From the other side of the room, Lilah sobs and Diane sniffs. When I look up, I see Juliet, Ian’s wife, covering her mouth with the back of her hand.
“Would you just step through the door so we can hug you already?” James flares his hands in exasperation, a wide smile stretching across his face.
Jackson helps me to my feet, swoops Georgia into his arms, and we step through the door into the arms of his waiting family together.
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Also by Abby Brooks
Written As Abby Brooks
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What Happened in Vegas (Dakota & Dominic’s Wedding)
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