The Father of Her Child (The Baby Bet #3)
Page 19
Ted nodded, then crossed the room to set it on the coffee table. He took a box from the first floor of the dollhouse and set it next to it.
“This is the furniture.” He straightened and turned to look at Hannah. “I’d like Patty to have this, if it’s all right with you.”
Ah, Hannah, he thought. His beautiful Ms. Doodle was exquisite. She looked sensational in jeans and a pretty yellow blouse, a daffodil-colored blouse. The necklace he’d given her was around her neck, falling to just above her breasts.
He wanted to take her into his arms, hold and kiss her, ask her to marry him and stay by his side for all time.
Oh, man, how he loved her.
“That’s a lovely gift you’re giving to Patty,” Hannah said. “Thank you. I’m sure she’ll treasure it when she’s old enough to appreciate it.”
Ted, Hannah’s mind hummed. He looked so tired, just totally worn-out. She’d missed him so much, ached for his touch and kiss, and the feel of his strong arms encircling her in the wondrous and safe cocoon of his embrace.
Oh, she loved Ted Sharpe with all that she was as a woman.
No, that wasn’t quite right. She loved the Ted Sharpe she’d believed him to be, not the Ted he actually was, not the Ted who wanted only Patty in his life.
“I see you’re wearing the necklace,” Ted said.
The fingertips of one of Hannah’s hands fluttered to the delicate daffodil, then stilled, clutching the flower.
“It’s so pretty,” she said. “Thank you for giving it to me.”
“Sure.” He paused. “Hannah, I’d like to talk to you. Please? Would you sit down?”
“Well, I…” She sighed. “Yes, all right.”
She sat in a straight-backed chair, clasped her hands tightly in her lap and stared up at him.
This is it, Sharpe, Ted told himself. The next few minutes were going to determine his entire future happiness. Don’t blow it.
“Hannah,” he said, too wired to sit down, “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking lately. In fact, all I’ve done is think. That day in the hospital, I felt I’d lost you forever, that it was over, everything that mattered to me was gone, beyond my reach.”
Hannah lifted her chin. “You mean Patty.”
“No, damn it…excuse me. I’m not going to swear anymore because Patty’s first words are not going to be damn and hell.”
He drew a deep, shuddering breath, then let it out slowly.
“Okay. Will you listen, really listen to me?”
“All right, Ted.”
“Months ago, you said you can’t tell the good guys from the bad, and you shouldn’t trust your own judgment about men.”
“Yes.”
“Well, I have a major flaw, too. I’m a coward. When things get tough, I run. I finally figured that out after nearly thinking myself to death the last few days.”
“A coward? Ted, you’re a police officer, a very good one. You can’t possibly be a coward.”
“Yeah, I’m a good cop. That’s not what I’m referring to. I’m talking about my personal life. Hannah, when I was sixteen, I heard my dad telling my mom I was sterile from my having had the mumps. What did I do? I ran. I bolted out the door before I heard everything my parents had to say about the situation. I was a coward. I couldn’t face what had happened, so I ran.
“That cowardice cost me the close relationship I’d had with my father. I was convinced he felt I was no longer a total man, a whole man, and I was no longer what he wanted in a son.”
He shook his head.
“It wasn’t true. He didn’t feel that way at all, and I would have known that if I’d had the courage to stand firm, talk it through with him.
“Hannah, I did the same thing that day in the hospital. You told me how you felt, and it hurt me so very much that I ran. I was such a coward, I couldn’t handle the thought of hearing more of your accusations. The price tag this time? Your love, our future happiness, everything that is important to me.”
He hunkered down in front of her and took her hands in his.
“Hannah, I’ve stopped running. I’m gathering my courage, stripping my soul bare, rendering myself totally vulnerable. Risky? Oh, yeah, it’s risky, but you’re worth it.
“Hannah Johnson, my beautiful Ms. Doodle, I love you more than life. I want to marry you and spend the rest of my life with you as your husband. I also want to be Patty’s father. Ah, Hannah, can’t we be a family, together? Have it all? That’s what is in my heart, I swear it. I love you, Hannah. Oh, God, how I love you.
“If you can’t marry me, be my wife, because I’m not capable of giving you more babies, then I’ll have to deal with that…somehow. At least I’ll know I wasn’t a coward, not this time. I’m just a man, pure and simple, who loves you will all my heart. Total, whole and forever love, Hannah, that is what I have to offer you, from a total, whole and forever man.
“I can’t give you more children, but I’m offering you myself, all that I am. It’s up to you if that’s enough. It’s up to you.”
Hannah flung her arms around Ted’s neck with such force that he toppled backward, taking her with him. They ended up on the floor, Hannah stretched out on top of him.
“Yes, I’ll marry you,” she said, her eyes filling with tears. “I listened, Ted, to what you said, and I heard you. I realize how difficult it was for you to run the risks you just did. I feel so loved, so cherished, so special.
“On behalf of myself and my daughter, our daughter, I accept your proposal of marriage. I’d be honored to be your wife. Patty will be a fortunate child to have you for a father. Oh, my darling Ted, I love you so much, so very, very much.”
Ted’s tears mirrored those in Hannah’s eyes, as he. weaved his fingers through her silky hair and brought her lips to his to seal their commitment to forever.
Daisy strolled into the room, took one look at the nonsense taking place on the floor, and went in search of something to eat.
Epilogue
At the wedding of Hannah Johnson and Ted Sharpe, the bride carried a lovely bouquet of daffodils and daisies.
Patricia Elizabeth wore a yellow dress that had been knit by Susan Sharpe. During the ceremony, the baby was held in the arms of her loving grandfather, Dean.
At the reception, which was held at the senior MacAllisters’ home, Jenny and Michael MacAllister announced they were expecting their second child.
“So, Forrest,” Michael said, “are you going to be in charge of The Baby Bet when Jenny is due?”
“Not me,” Forrest said, laughing and raising both hands. “I know when I’m licked. The new champion of The Baby Bet is Ted.”
“Wrong,” Ted said, encircling Hannah’s shoulders with one arm, “the new champion of The Baby Bet are Mr. and Mrs. Theordore Sharpe. Take a look at the wedding presents Hannah gave me. I set them up by the cake.”
The group moved closer and everyone smiled.
Lined up in a row were tiny wooden figurines for the dollhouse. The miniatures included a man, woman and four children. The children were each of a different nationality from around the world.
“Perfect,” Deedee said.
“Yup,” Ryan said.
“Babies, babies, babies,” Deedee said with a wistful sigh. “Ryan, don’t you think it’s time we…”
“Yup,” he said, then kissed her on the nose. “If Ted intends to continue to be The Baby Bet champion, we’ll make him really work to retain the title.”
“No problem,” Ted said. “I can handle it, right along with the other titles I have.”
“Husband and father,” Hannah said, smiling at him with love shining in her eyes.
“Forever, Mrs. Doodle,” he said, matching her smile. “Forever.”
eISBN 978-14592-8049-6
THE FATHER OF HER CHILD
Copyright © 1996 by Joan Elliott Pickart
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