Page 196 of Never Let You Go

Before I tear up, I pull her into our embrace. “Oh my god I’m going to be a mom! You guys,” I sob.

Skye’s puzzled gaze goes between her father, me, and my belly.

“But you chose me,” I blabber. It’s too much for me to explain, so I just shut up.

Skye ties her little hands around my neck and sighs. “I just wanted to be your first baby. Also, your name is too hard to say.”

We stay in a group hug a moment, Christopher rocking us gently.

“Daddy,” Skye’s voice comes out muffled from where her face is buried in between us. “You forgot something.”

“Just taking my time, little bug. Enjoying the moment.” His chin strokes the top of my head. Both their heartbeats resonate through my chest, and I don’t want this moment to end either.

Skye lifts her head. “But it’s part of the moment.”

“That’s right.” He takes my left hand and slides a simple diamond ring on it, his eyes on mine. “There,” he says, his voice thick with emotion, his eyes shining. Then he dips his head to kiss his daughter’s hair. “Thank you, little bug. Couldn’t get it right without you.”

Then Skye wiggles her way out, and she starts packing our picnic while I pull my head back just enough to find Christopher’s mouth again.

“I love you so much,” I say when we pull apart.

When our house comes into view, Skye runs ahead of us. “She said yes!” she yells at the top of her lungs.

A whole group of people pour out of the bakery, clapping and cheering. Grace, Kiara, Willow, Autumn, Cassandra, Sophie, Willow, Haley, Lynn, and Craig, and so many others. The whole team from the General Store. Wendy and Todd from the inn and their children.

Justin and his wife.

Christopher seems unfazed.

I look between them and him and start laughing. “Oh my god Christopher! Did you do this?”

He doesn’t answer, just lifts me effortlessly, gives me a chaste kiss, sets me on the ground, then wraps his arm tightly around me as we join the group.

We get there just in time to hear Skye say, “She’s ho-normal. But she’ll be okay.”

I giggle into Christopher’s shoulder at her words. I love this kid so much, I can’t wait to call her my own.