Page 68 of Mr. Principal

And then I sighed. “I’m going to guess that text came from Meredith.”

He chuckled. “I should have guessed that. Please was misspelled. I just thought you were too busy handling an emergency to notice.”

We awkwardly stood there staring at each other when finally, I said, “Well, thanks for coming over. You’re always running to my rescue…” I let my voice trail off and whispered, “Even when you hate me…”

“I don’t hate you,” he said, and I gave him a dubious look.

“You could barely look at me a few hours ago.”

“You surprised me. That’s all. I didn’t really know how to feel. But I don’t hate you. I could never hate you.”

He reached for me then and pulled me towards him.

I let him pull me into his arms and I lay my head against his chest. Everything about being held by Carter just felt right.

“I love you too much to hate you,” he whispered against my hair.

I tightened my arms around him and tilted my face up to look into his eyes. “I’m so sorry for everything. I’m especially sorry that you felt it was necessary to leave your job.”

“It would have been hell seeing you every day knowing that you didn’t feel for me like I felt for you. Last time that happened I left the country and didn’t come back. This time I figured I would stay in the country and just find another job.”

“I’m glad then that you only quit your job and didn’t leave America just because I’m the world’s biggest idiot.”

“I don’t know. I would argue that you don’t have that title… yet,” he said, placing his hands on either side of my face. “But there’s a title I would like you to hold… how does Mrs. Knight sound to you?”

I blinked and realized I had tears in my eyes. Tears of joy. “I think that’s a title I would like to have.”

“Finally!” someone said behind us, and I turned around to see Meredith smiling.

“I know you sent that text, missy,” I said, giving her a stern look, but unable to hold back a smile.

“Someone had to help you two out. You guys are terrible communicators.”

I looked at Carter, Carter looked at me, and we both laughed. Meredith skipped over to join us and wrapped her arms around our waists as best as she could.

“Are you guys going to get married?” she asked hopefully.

We nodded at the same time. Meredith looked relieved. “Great. I really want a little brother. And maybe a little sister. Maybe even twins.”

I looked at Carter and he looked at me. The shock was apparent on both of our faces. “How about we start with planning the wedding first?”

Meredith shrugged. “I guess… but you don’t need a wedding to have a baby.” She gave us a serious look and said, “You guys do know how babies are made, right?”

Carter and I instantly let go of each other and I knew I was turning as red as he was.

“How about you just go back to bed?”

She shrugged happily. “I’m just glad I’m going to get a little brother or sister or both before Danny Schultz. His mom won’t even go out on a date. Danny said his mom is afraid of her own shadow.”

I stifled a giggle. “Goodnight, Meredith.”

“Goodnight mom, Goodnight ex-Principal K.”

“Night, Meredith.”

When she closed the door behind her, Carter again brought me into his arms. “You sure you want to be a part of all this?”

He smiled and kissed me hard on my lips. He pulled back and said, “I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

And as we stood on my porch, holding each other, I knew then what true happiness meant. My mom had been wrong. Love and happiness went hand in hand. I was unconditionally and whole-heartedly loved by this man and I knew that because of his love, every day of my life would be full of happiness.

“I love you, Carter,” I whispered against his ear, “But I really hope we don’t have twins.”

He threw his head back and laughed. “Even if we do I can’t imagine a more amazing person to have children with. I love you too.”

We stood there in each other’s arms. And I knew that both of us were envisioning a future together. A future full of laughter, happiness, and plenty of love.