Dakota
Two years later.
Danielle crawls into her daddy’s lap and I smile as he sings Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star to her for the fifth time in the past ten minutes. From the moment she was born, our daughter has had Jack wrapped around her chubby little fingers. And at sixteen months old, she looks just like him too with the same ebony hair and crystal blue eyes.
I smile peacefully. Two years ago, if anyone had asked me where my life would be right now, I would have said I had no clue. The last thing I expected was to be living with my ex-boyfriend’s father, who is now the father of my child and the man I adore. Jack came into my life at its absolute lowest point, when I thought my world was being shattered by my mother and a boyfriend who obviously didn’t care about me. But instead, love knocked when I least expected it. I guess life is strange that way.
“How were things at the Blue Bean today?” Jack asks me, bouncing Dani on his knee. I smile because thanks to Jack, I now own my own coffee shop, the Blue Bean. I always enjoyed working as a barista and having my own business gives me the freedom to spend more time with Dani.
“They were great, and Libs is the perfect manager. She has a way with people, and honestly, I’m not sure I would trust anyone else with my business.”
Jack laughs.
“Your best friend is quite the piece of work,” he agrees.
I pretend outrage.
“She’s not a piece of work! Libby has my back, always,” I declare.
“Of course she does,” my boyfriend smiles. “But she’s still a crazy one.” I know he’s referring to the shenanigans my bestie often gets up to, but I like hearing about them. Now that I’ve been with Jack for years, I love living vicariously through my friend’s tales of dating woe. After all, I was once in her shoes, and I just want Libby to find the happiness that I have now.
But Libs isn’t the only one still around. Surprisingly, my mom and Eddie are still together, although how that’s lasted, I have no idea. I don’t know if they’re in love, or if they’re just really strange people who gravitated together. We’ll never figure it out either, because we don’t really talk to Denise and Eddie. We nod and say hello, but it’s just too awkward. After all, how many people end up with their ex’s mom or dad? Or both, in our case?
Nonetheless, I’m okay with the state of our relationship. Hopefully when she’s older, my daughter will get to know Denise and Eddie on a casual basis, but not before Danielle understands what’s normal and what’s not. I have to explain our situation carefully because it’s so unique.
Jack strolls over to me with the baby cradled in his arms. Her eyes are now fluttering a bit as she fights to stay awake, but Jack has the magic touch and I know she won’t be able to hold out much longer.
He leans in and gives me a quick kiss. “I’m going to go put our girl to sleep, and then I’m coming back for you. Don’t go anywhere.”
I giggle quietly. “I won’t.”
“Good,” he nods.
I watch him carry our daughter up the stairs to put her in bed and shiver a bit with anticipation. I’m overwhelmed with how lucky I am because even after all these years, the heat is still on high between me and my man. Humming a bit, I step into the downstairs restroom and try to straighten my hair and fix my make-up while I wait for Jack to come back down.
When I exit the bathroom, Jack is already in the living room, standing in front of the fire. My heart contracts at his tall, broad form.
“You look beautiful,” he says as soon as he sees me.
I walk over to him and put my arms around his neck and smile up at him. “You look pretty handsome, yourself,” is my sassy retort.
He kisses me, and immediately, the heat flames between us. But then, he surprises me by pulling back and stepping away. I start to ask where he’s going when suddenly, he drops to one knee in the living room. Then, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small black box and holds it out in front of him. Once open, it reveals the most beautiful diamond ring I have ever seen.
Tears spring into my eyes, and I bring my hands up to cover my mouth to stop myself from sobbing with joy.
“Oh Jack,” I sigh.
My man grins and reaches for my arms, gently pulling my hands away from my face. Then he meets my gaze.
“Dakota, I have loved you from the first time I kissed you, when you showed up on my doorstep over two years ago. I knew I was the luckiest bastard in the world when you gave yourself to me that night, and since then, you have given me more than I ever hoped for with your love, your kindness, and the birth of our daughter. I want to spend the rest of my life showing you how much I love you. Marry me.”
Dropping to my knees, I throw my arms around him and kiss him with everything I have. I can feel him smiling against my lips.
“Is that a yes?” he asks.
“Yes. So much yes!”
He laughs, and then pulls back and takes my left hand in his, before sliding the ring on my finger. “I don’t want to wait,” he growls. “How fast do you think we can plan our wedding?”
“Hopefully, we can get it done in the next couple months,” I say, moving my hands to my lower belly in the way I used to when I was pregnant with Dani. “Because I have a surprise for you too. If we wait any longer, I’ll definitely be waddling down the aisle and we don’t want that, do we?”
Jack’s eyes go wide, looking at my belly, as realization dawns on his face. “We’re having another baby?” he whispers.
I smile and nod. “Yes, Daddy, we are. Dani is getting a new brother or sister, and she’ll be excited!”
He whoops and pulls me into his lap before showering me with kisses. “God, I love you. And we can do it tomorrow if you want to.”
“Do what?” I ask, one eyebrow arched.
“Get married. Just say the word, honey, and I’m ready to go to City Hall.”
I laugh and kiss him again. “I love you so much, but it’s okay. I want to look beautiful in a white wedding gown, and for Dani to be a flower girl. We can wait a few months.”
The handsome man merely looks into my eyes.
“But you’re mine, no matter when it happens.”
I merely smile blissfully and cup his face.
“Yes, I’m yours, Jack Straithmore. Me, and the two children we’ve made together.” With that, our lips meet and my heart melts with love. What were the chances of this happening? Soon, I’ll be Mrs. Straithmore, but not Mrs. Eddie Straithmore. No, I’ll be Mrs. Jack Straithmore, and never was a girl more happy with that name.
THE END
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