“This is one visitor I know you’re going to want.” Molly grinned in the doorway. “She’s all ready for you.” She wheeled the bassinet into the room. “Here’s your mommy and daddy.” Once she parked the bassinet, Molly scooped the infant into her arms, then handed the baby to Maya. “Congratulations. Family portrait time!”
Maya snuggled Grace against her chest. Tears burned behind her eyes. “Levi? That means you, too.” She couldn’t see her life without him.
“Are you sure?” He froze in his seat. “We keep saying daddy, but—”
She silenced him with a look. He had second thoughts? She worried he might. Babies tended to put pressure on even the strongest relationships. “Nicky provided the semen, but you’ve provided so much more. You’re my best friend, soon to be my husband and you’ve been there for me when lots of other guys would’ve walked. I love you. You’re her father and my lover forever. If you’ve got any doubts, you need to tell me now.”
“No doubts. Just overwhelmed.” Levi perched on the bed beside her and draped his arm around her. “You’re a strong woman, and I was afraid you’d decide I wasn’t good enough. I love you, too.”
Not good enough? She couldn’t find a better man. “You’re exactly who we need and the one I want.”
“Cheese,” Molly said with a giggle. “You two are so adorbs.”
The flash blinded Maya for a moment, but she didn’t care. She blinked back more tears. She rested her head on Levi’s shoulder. “I’m glad I’ve got you to fall back on when I come apart. You’re my rock.”
“I’ll guard you both forever.” He smoothed his hand over hers in the baby’s blanket. “But now you do have to marry me.”
“I’m ready right now.” No matter what happened, she had exactly what she needed—the dog, the child and the man. Perfect.
Epilogue
Levi draped his arm around Maya’s shoulders. The last three years had been filled with days he’d never trade. Seeing Gracie grow up and discover the world opened his eyes to so many things he’d dismissed, like butterflies, the bright yellow of dandelions and the soft fur of kitties. Peaches trotted up to the three-year-old and flopped down beside her. In the last thirty-six months, the little dog had learned how to get along with the stinky, noisy addition to the house. He snorted. Hell, Peaches loved Gracie like she would her own child and got along with Gracie’s kitten, Pickles. But the best part was witnessing Maya come into her own as a parent. Her patience with both Peaches and Gracie knew no bounds some days.
He’d been there through the ups and downs. The teething troubles, the all night cry-fests, the giggles and the smiles were all worth it. Being able to sign his name on the adoption papers ranked near the top of his accomplishments list, right below marrying Maya. He watched his adopted daughter squealing and running around the new plastic playhouse.
“Daddy! Love!” Gracie clapped her hands, then darted into the play house. “Adorbs!” Peaches stood, shook, then galloped beside her little human. Pickles lay stretched out on the patio at Maya’s feet.
“She picked up on that phrase pretty quickly,” he remarked. “Wonder where she learned that?” He massaged Maya’s shoulder. “We should con Adaline into teaching her another phrase.”
“Molly didn’t help matters much. We visited her at the hospital the other day and that’s all she kept saying.”
He watched Gracie open the plastic doors to the windows, then dart out the front door. “Think we should tell her?”
“It’s time.” Maya rubbed her stomach. “If we wait much longer, she’ll see my belly and figure it out.” She turned her attention to their daughter. “Gracie?”
“Mommy!” The two year old sprinted across the lawn.
Of all the things he’d been able to give the both of them, he prided himself on buying a house with a backyard in a good neighborhood. Grace deserved a place to grow up and enjoy her childhood.
Maya led Gracie to the patio chair and tugged her onto her lap. “Daddy and I need to tell you something.” She slid the package across the table. “Since it’s your birthday, we’ve got another surprise for you.”
“Open it, baby girl,” Levi coaxed.
Gracie grinned, then tore the paper on the box. Soon, the cardboard landed in a heap with the paper at Maya’s feet. “A shirt.” Gracie frowned. “I have shirts.”
“Look at the picture.” Maya smoothed the garment out on the table. “See? A big girl and a baby. You’re going to be a big sister.”
Gracie stared at the image for a moment, then looked at Levi. “I want a brother.” She folded her arms and notched her chin in the air. “Yep, a brother.” The little girl slid off Maya’s lap and raced back to her playhouse with the dog at her heels. Go figure, the three-year-old knew just what she wanted—precisely like her mother.
“I hope you made the right combination.” Maya waved her hand. “I’m just the oven.”
Levi tipped his head back and laughed. No matter what they had—boy or girl—he got what he wanted. He reached across the table and twined his fingers with hers. Of all the diners in the world, he walked into hers and hell, yeah for deciding to eat there. He’d found his heart and his wildest dreams in her arms. Best deal of all.
Other Works by Megan Slayer
Total-E-Bound Publishing
Permanent
Vaulting
Out of Bounds Anthology
Liquid Silver Books
Believe
Changeling Books
Fire Woman - Glow Book 1
White Hot Christmas: Wrapped Around - Glow Book 1.5
The Air I Breathe - Glow Book 2
Down to Earth - Glow Book 3
Razor's Edge: Cock and Bull
Under and Over It
Here Without You - Glow Book 4
Wild Flower - Glow Book 5
Razor's Edge: Make Me
Fallen
Forever Wicked: Always
Forever Wicked: Savage Protector
Followed - Haven House Vampires Book 1
Santa's Helpers: Christmas Glow - Glow Book 5.5
Razor's Edge: Show
Guarding Me Page 7