Page 189 of Choose Me

“Babe.” My voice is low as I draw my gaze over her. “You’ve never been the woodwork. You were stunning before, and now, you glow. You look like an angel.” I say with a smirk, “A well-loved angel.”

“Stop.” Her face colors even brighter as she playfully bats at my side. You’d think she’d be used to my never-ending compliments and lustful perusals, but she’s not.

“Hey, guys.” Mackenzie strides through the swinging white diner doors that separate the kitchen from the bakery with an oversized white box in her hands.

“Ma Ke.” Grace lifts her arms toward Mackenzie as she struggles to get down.

Mackenzie’s eyes light up as Grace’s white tennis shoes hit the floor. “Hey there, Gracie Bug, let me set this down.” She deposits the box on the glassed-in counter, which is filled with rows of delicious treats inside.

It took Mackenzie a few months to be strong enough to hold Grace, and each time was easier for her until now, there’s only joy in her expression when she sees her.

“Ma Ke.” Grace runs to Mackenzie, who swoops her into her arms.

“Gracie Bug.” She kisses Grace’s cheek, eases her onto her hip, and slides open the display case door. “I heard a certain little girl wants a purple iced cupcake.”

“Yum.” Grace’s eyes are huge as she watches Mackenzie withdraw a mini cupcake with bright lavender frosting on top.

I smile at their interaction as Emily wipes her cheek. It’s good to see Mackenzie with a grin on her face. A real one. Not one that she’s plastered on to pretend everything is okay. Not that she’s moved past everything that’s happened to her over the years, but she’s making progress now that Chad’s behind bars for the next 15 years.

Once Grace is back on her feet, Emily beckons her with a wave of her fingers. “Come here, Baby.” She helps our daughter settle at a small kids’ table so she can eat her treat.

After Mackenzie slides the case closed, we join her at the counter, watching as she wipes down the glass.

I arch an eyebrow. “Will you be there tonight?”

“Of course.” Her face drops as her eyes widen with worry. “Unless you think that’s weird. I know you guys asked me, but that was probably out of kindness or obligation. You don’t have to–”

“Mackenzie.” Emily gives her a harsh look to silence her protest. “We want you to be there. I know it might seem strange to some people, but as long as we’re all comfortable, including you, especially you, then we want you to be there.”

“Okay.” Her shoulders slump as she exhales. “I don’t want people to talk and take any of the joy away from your day.”

Emily smiles with a wrinkled nose. “No one can ruin our joy.”

Mackenzie is like a big sister, a surrogate aunt to Grace, and will know when she’s old enough to understand that she’s her biological mother. It’s not something we intend to hide. And in this town, it would prove impossible even if we wanted to.

“Mama,” Grace calls over to Emly, who turns to face her with a laugh coming from her lips.

“Yes, Love?”

“I help.” She raises her icing-covered fingers and wiggles them. There’s a streak of color above her top lip that ends halfway across her cheek.

“Of course, I’ll help you.”

Once Grace is clean, and I’ve retrieved the box of gender reveal cupcakes, Mackenzie tips her head sideways. “Mira let me open the envelope and stuff the icing inside the cupcakes.”

“It’s only fitting that you’d know what we’re having before we do,” I say with a wink and wrap my arm around my girls. “See you tonight.”

After the bells jingle upon our exit from the bakery, Emily places a hand on my cheek. “Thank you for everything. Thank you for loving Grace, for loving me, for choosing us, for being open to Mackenzie. Just…” Her eyes fill with tears. “For making a family with me.”

“Em….” I shake my head while holding the box with one hand and placing the other on Emily’s swollen belly. “It’s my honor to do all of those things.” My heart trips in my chest. “I love you so much. You’re the light that brightens any room youwalk into. The same for Grace. She’s like a lightning bug.” I trace my thumb over the mound that holds our next child. “And this baby will only make that love grow bigger. I don’t know how it’s possible, but I know it is.”

“I love you, too.” She rises on her tiptoes, but before our lips meet, Grace claps her hands.

“Mama. Dada. Kiss. Kiss me.” She puckers her lips.

Of course, we oblige her. She’s the queen of our world. The only question is…. Will she be joined by another queen or a king?

Tonight, we’ll know.

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