Page 93 of The Sweetest Mistake

Julia smiled, her heart bursting at the seams. “But Ava’s the sweetest interruption ever.”

Leaning down, he kissed her again, with a bit more zeal this time.

“We’re in public,” she reminded him after they pulled apart.

“Don’t care.”

“Connor?”

“Yeah,” he mumbled against her lips.

“I love you too. You and Ava both.”

“Thank God,” he said, exhaling loudly.

Julia giggled, and then wrapping her arms around him and Ava, she gave them a big squeeze. After letting go, she said, “We should probably head back to the car and get the cooler. It’s almost time for Ava’s lunch.”

“Not to mention yours,” he teased.

“You know how I love my food.”

“I hope not quite as much as you love me.”

“I could never love anything that much. Well, except for this little girl,” she said, tugging on Ava’s toes.

As they trudged back up the hill to the trail, Connor said, “What about our own kids? Didn’t you say you wanted two or three?”

If the sun hadn’t been beating down on the top of her head, she might have thought she was dreaming. Were they really having this conversation? Was this really going to happen for them?

“You have a good memory,” she said as their hands automatically entwined.

“I remember everything you’ve ever said to me.”

“Even when I said you were cocky and too good looking?”

He chuckled. “Yes, even that. I hope I’ve proved you wrong.”

Eyeing him up and down, she said, “Well, you’re still good looking.”

Squeezing her hand, he said, “I would love it if you still told me that twenty years from now.”

“I guarantee it,” she said, smiling up at him.

When they reached the Jeep, Connor took out the cooler while Julia changed Ava’s diaper. Then they found a patch of grass underneath a sprawling maple tree and spread out a blanket.

“Ahhh. This is the life!” Connor said after they’d eaten. He had lain back with his hands behind his head, and Julia and Ava sat beside him.

Ava had just finished her bottle, and her little eyes were starting to close, her body going limp in Julia’s arms. Julia felt like she could stay like this forever, just her, Connor, and Ava, their own little family.

“I love watching you with her,” Connor said, breaking into her thoughts.

Julia smiled down at him. “I didn’t even know you were looking.”

“I can’t wait to see you with our children someday.”

Shifting her body to face him, she said, “When that happens, I’ll still love Ava just as much. She may not share my blood, but she shares my heart, and she always will.”

Sitting upright, Connor scooted next to her, wrapped an arm around her waist, and kissed her cheek.