Elijah adjusted the red scarf and flipped the bead-covered dreadlocks over his shoulder. Lane needed a raise for wearing this for every pirate trip. The boat swayed.
For the hundredth time, his hand went to his pocket. The ring was still there. This time he was asking with her parents’ blessing. They would be here with his family and all the families in Rosie’s first grade class.
He had to get this right. But he was having major doubts about the plan. He’d been dragging his feet, wanting it to be perfect, but the need to tuck Rosemarie into her bedroom at his house, their home, was driving him crazy.
“Daddy!” The reason he was wearing this ridiculous get-up wrapped her arms around his neck. Zoe, the doll he had given her on their first meeting, had a red bandanna wrapped around her black curly hair. “I knew you were a real pirate.” She giggled and climbed into his lap and started playing with the colorful beads in the wig.
“Where’s your mom?”
“She and GiGi are doing last-minute stuff. Papa brought me, so I can help you.”
He chuckled. Jazmine had always been good at managing people without them even knowing.
“So, do I get a sword?” Judge Daniels joined them.
“Yes!” She slid down and pulled two plastic swords from a barrel. “This is going to be the best day ever.” She jumped in place. “Daddy! You’re doing it, right? For my birthday.”
“Doing what?” her grandfather asked, as he pretended to be stabbed.
Elijah sighed and eyed his daughter. “For her birthday she only wants one thing from me.”
Rosie twirled. “I want Daddy to marry Mommy for my birthday. I always wanted a sister, but that takes more time if you don’t order ahead.”
The Judge laughed, and some of the tension drained from Elijah’s shoulders.
Standing, he picked up his daughter. “Crazy idea, right?”
“Asking Jazmine to marry you?” The older man crossed his arms and leaned on the edge of the faux ship. “Or proposing at a six-year-old’s pirate party?”
His father-in-law sat down and propped his deck shoes on a short barrel. “This is going to be a great show. You can’t back out now, boy. Lea told me she gave you my mother’s ring. You got it?”
“Yes, sir.” His throat went dry.
“Good.” He winked. “Girls like that kind of thing. And I can tell you from experience that telling your daughter no never gets easier.”
“Elijah!” Jazz called from below.
“Yes?” He went to the edge. Jazmine stood on the dock, boxes of cupcakes and a bundle of flowers in her arms.
“My mom needs help unloading the car,” she called up to him.
“Got it.”
That was the last moment not swamped in controlled chaos.
As they pulled away from the dock, he watched Jazz laughing and interacting with everyone.
Several times she caught him staring and smiled at him. Occasionally he worked his way over to her to steal a quick kiss. Like any good pirate would do.
The afternoon flew. The sun was setting, and they were heading back to the dock. It was time.
The young second mate distracted everyone with an outrageous song, so Elijah had time to climb up the platform. He unhooked the rope.
This might be the worst idea he had ever had while sober.
Lane winked up at him, then made his move. Drawing his plastic sword, the second mate held it to Jazmine’s throat and told her he would be taking all her jewelry. The kids screamed and ran to her rescue. But the crew held the kids back, and they all laughed as they played along.
Jazmine looked confused. Her gaze searched the boat. She was looking for him.
“Argh!” he roared, and jumped from the platform, swinging across the deck. His boots landed on the box anchored to the floor specifically for this scene, one they usually played out for tourists.
The kids and parents cheered. His sister might have been the loudest. “Hands off the lady, you scoundrel!” Elijah used his best pirate voice.
Lane turned, and they lunged back and forth, slashing at each other with their plastic swords. Backed into the corner, Lane went to his knees and surrendered. He might have done a bit of overacting, but the kids loved it.
Dramatically, Elijah sheathed his sword. Swaggering across the deck to where Jazmine stood, he took her in his arms. For a moment he stopped and looked into her eyes. This might be over the top, but he wanted her to see him. To see the love he had for her.
Slowly, he lowered his head and kissed her as hoots and hollers surrounded them. Pulling back, he grinned at her.
Smiling, she raised her eyebrows. “What if this lady plans on saving herself?”
He removed his leather gauntlet and cupped her face. Leaning in, he kissed her nose. “She is more than capable, but this is what our daughter wanted. And I wanted you, so it works out.” He winked, then twisted to face Lane. “Bring in the treasure so we can share our bounty.”
The shrieks were higher than his ears could gauge as Lane and Carlos carried a wooden chest onto the deck. Elijah kneeled before the ancient-looking lock and, with a flourish, broke it. A hush fell over the kiddie crowd. The water hitting the sides of the boat was the only sound heard.
He lifted the lid. On top of the costume jewelry, chocolate coins and brightly colored beads sat a small velvet box. Closing his fist over it and pressing it to his chest, he turned on his heel and strode over to the love of his life.
She tilted her head, her eyes narrowed. He grinned. This would be something they would always remember. This was a good plan. He hoped.
One of the dreadlocks dropped across his face, and he yanked off the wig and bandanna. He wanted this to be real.
Her fingers went to his hair, trying to bring some sort of order to it.
In front of her, he dropped to one knee. She gasped.
“I’ve asked you before, and I broke those vows.” He swallowed against the dryness of his throat. “You have no reason other than faith to be my wife again. Life without you is nothing but a gray mist. You fill every day with beautiful color. I want to give you all the love you deserve.” He lifted the box and offered her the ring. “Will you marry me again?”
Her hands pressed against her mouth. “That’s... That’s...” Her eyes flashed to her mother before coming back to him. “You have Mama CiCi’s ring.” Slowly she went to her knees in front of him.
Her hand cupped his. Her eyes stayed on him. “What took you so long?” Her voice was low and hoarse. Tears glistened in the kindest eyes he had ever looked into.
“I wanted to make it perfect.”
Tears overflowed her dark lashes. “I’ve never much liked perfect. I love you and our life together. Yes, I’ll marry you as many times as you ask.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger where it belonged. It felt like going home again, but this time with the support and love of their families. Standing, he pulled her up with him and brushed his lips against hers.
A small body slammed into them. “Are you married now?”
They laughed. “No, sweetheart. We’re engaged.”
“When can we move in with Daddy? I want a puppy and a baby sister.”
He swung his daughter up against his shoulder. “Give us a little time, sweet girl. You get to help your mom plan a wedding.”
With a nod, Jazz kissed Rosie’s cheek. “A very small wedding that will take less than a few weeks to organize.”
He slipped his hand into the woman’s who had always owned his heart. Lane and Carlos passed out the loot and the party favors. They docked, the families chatting as they disembarked. By the time the sun slipped out of the sky, his family stood alone on the deck.
Belle hugged him and whispered in his ear, “I’m so happy for you. You’re the best guy, and you deserve to be happy.”
“So do you, sis.”
Stepping back, she shook her head. “I am happy. Now that you have your wife back, don’t start matchmaking.”
Selena laughed. Holding one of the triplets, she leaned in for a hug, too. “Don’t worry, I’ve got the perfect guy for her.” She laughed at the horror on Belle’s face.
Azalea helped with the other two triplets as they made their way off the ship. With just the string of party lights breaking the shadows of night, Elijah stood with his soon-to-be wife again and his daughter, and waved goodbye to everyone.
For a moment he wanted to fall to his knees and thank God for a life he had never even dared to dream of.
Rosie’s eyes fluttered shut, and her head fell against his shoulder. Jazz pressed her cheek to his other shoulder and sighed.
With a yawn, Rosie snuggled closer to him. “Who knew life on a fake pirate ship could be so perfect?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Stick with me, babe, and the adventures will only get better. I love you.”
“I love you, too, Daddy.” The sleepy voice interrupted his thoughts. “Now that we’re engaged, are we going home with you?”
“Not tonight, sweetheart, but soon. Very soon I’ll take you home.”
He felt Jazz’s smile as her hand went to Rosemarie’s back. “It won’t be long before we’ll be going home together.”
His heart clenched, and he tightened his arms around his world, holding them close. He had been waiting for them, and he would be taking them home soon.
Jazmine stretched to her toes and kissed his cheek. “Elijah De La Rosa, you’re my home. I love you, always will.”
His hand in hers and his daughter on his shoulder, they walked the plank. Together.
If you enjoyed this story, look for these other books by Jolene Navarro available now.
Texas Daddy
The Texan’s Twins
Lone Star Christmas
Keep reading for an excerpt from Their Baby Blessing by Heidi McCahan.
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