Total pages in book: 14
Estimated words: 12901 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 43(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 12901 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 65(@200wpm)___ 52(@250wpm)___ 43(@300wpm)
“Oh God, Alice. Never. You’re like a sister to me.” She tilts her head to the side and thinks. “I guess now you’re more like a stepmom to me!” Maggie laughs and jumps up, wrapping Alice in a hug.
“So, just a few more things are in order,” I say, clearing my throat.
Maggie moves back to sit with Eli, but she’s clearly about to burst with excitement.
“Alice and I are going to be staying here. Maggie and Eli, you’re both welcome to live here if you want, but I know Eli has a house now.”
“We’ll be staying there, sir,” Eli says, putting a possessive hand on Maggie’s leg.
She’ll always be my little girl, but I’m happy that she’s chosen a good man to take care of her. I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for her.
“All right, then I guess the big decision is for Alice now,” I say, looking over at her.
She’s looks at me and then at Maggie and Eli with a confused look on her face. “What do you mean, Major?”
I slip off the couch, pull the small box out of my pocket, and kneel in front of her. I open the box and hold it out so she can see it while I take her hand.
“I know I keep saying you don’t have a choice in marrying me, but I want to give you the chance to choose me. I won’t give up until you say yes, and I’ll never stop trying to make you happy. But I want you to know that I choose you, and I’ll never, ever leave you. Because I love you, and I can’t live without you. I want you to choose that, too.” Alice puts her hands over her mouth, and I see tears slip free.
“Shhh. Don’t cry, sweet girl,” I say, wiping them away. “Marry me, Alice. Make me the happiest man in the world, and make our family grow.”
“You better say yes,” Maggie says from behind me, and we all laugh. She’s bouncing in her seat, and Eli is practically holding her in a death grip to keep her still.
Alice nods, and I hear a teary “yes” before she throws herself into my arms. I wrap my arms around her and hold her close as she cries happy tears. I glance over and see Maggie crying now, but Eli is holding her and smiling at us.
We may be a makeshift family, but we’re family all the same. We’ve got it where it counts the most—in our hearts.
When Alice pulls back, I slip the ring on her finger, and she looks down at it. I bought it right after we met, knowing that one day I’d get it on her, one way or another. It’s a single carat solitaire on a gold band. It’s simple but beautiful, just like my sweet girl is. Once it’s on, she looks up at me, and suddenly her mouth is on mine.
The kiss nearly knocks me over backwards, but I hold her close and kiss her back until she’s finished. When we break apart, her cheeks are fiery red, as if just remembering that we aren’t alone. I give her a quick kiss and pull her to me as I stand up and look at Maggie and Eli.
“Who’s hungry?” I ask, and everyone jumps up.
“As long as Eli isn’t cooking, I’m down to eat,” Maggie says, and elbows him.
We make our way to the kitchen and start pulling stuff out of the fridge to eat. Alice leans into me and looks around at the scene.
“Is it real, all of this? It feels like a dream.”
“It’s a dream come true,” I answer, kissing the top of her head and holding her close.
I keep her by my side, where she’ll stay for the rest of our lives.
Epilogue
Alice
Six years later…
“Good afternoon, Miss Drummond.”
“Hey, Seth.” I wave over to our new neighbors’ son. They moved in a week ago, and I’m pretty sure I remember him saying he goes to the local college. I can’t exactly recall. When I’d met them the twins were running circles around my feet and I could only catch half of what they were saying.
He gives me a giant smile and starts to walk over toward me, but stops and the smile drops from his face. I don’t even have to turn around to know why. I know without a doubt my husband is standing behind me. I just don’t know why I don’t hear our louder-than-life little boys with him. Between the twins who just turned two and our five-year-old son, we are never a quiet bunch when we’re all together.
“That’s Mrs. Drummond,” Thomas barks.
I have to bite my lip to keep from smiling. I can’t even be mad. I love that he’s a beast and crazy jealous and possessive. Once we came out as a couple, he wanted everyone to know. I was surprised he didn’t hire someone to write it in the sky. Even after all these years, he’s still that way. No matter where we are or what we are doing, he’s always got a hand or his eyes on me. No one can miss that I belong to him.