My eyes were welling up.
Oh my God.
“You have something for me, little man?” My heart was pounding as I took the dove that was now crinkled, from A.J.’s tiny fingers and opened it.
See this guy...Jake?
I want you to cut him a break.
Not just cuz he’s my dad…
But because he loves you like mad.
He said he was done asking you to be his bride.
Well, Mommy…he lied.
After everything we’ve been through…
He still really wants to marry you.
Look at him…he’s a mess.
Please tell him you’ll say yes.
He was a mess, a beautiful one, with tears in his eyes, as I pulled him into me, careful not to crush A.J.
“Yes…yes…a million times…yes,” I said through my own tears.
He pressed his forehead to mine. “I know you said we should wait. Seeing Skylar and Mitch yesterday reminded me that life is short, and I don’t want to wait one second longer to marry the love of my life.”
I wiped his eyes. “I wouldn’t change anything either, Jake…the good or the bad. What would moments as perfect as this mean with nothing to compare them to? Every bit of pain it took to get here was worth it.”
“I didn’t have time to get a ring. I actually went looking while you were out with your friends but couldn’t find the right one in time. I’ll take you shopping in Boston.”
Perfect timing.
“No need,” I said unable to contain my joy.
“What do you mean…no need?”
I had been hiding my left hand in my sleeve for the past couple of hours. I lifted it to show his name tattooed on my ring finger in the same font as the ink of my name on his own.
His eyes lit up in pure shock. “What the…when did you do that?”
“I cancelled the coffee today. This was something I needed to do, and you gave me the perfect opportunity.” I smiled. “It’s permanent, you know.”
“Yeah.” He lifted my hand to his mouth. “So are we, baby. So are we.”
“I love you so much,” I said.
“And I love you.” He kissed me then turned to A.J. who was cooing. “And you, my little wingman…I love you to the moon.”