Erin nodded, her eyes never leaving Jake’s face. “Yes. We are.”
An hour later, Erin was in a different hospital room recovering from surgery when Jake came in with a tiny bundle in his arms. She’d only caught a glimpse of their baby girl in the operating room—Dr. Anderson had held her up briefly over the drape before she was whisked away. Erin had squeezed Jake’s hand and told him to go with their daughter.
Now he came in and sat down on the edge of the bed, and settled the baby in Erin’s arms.
“She’s perfect,” Erin whispered, staring down at her. She touched the tiny nose, and stroked her soft cheek. “Now that we’ve met her, we need to name her,” she said, looking up.
He laid his hand gently on the baby’s head. “She’s Megan.”
“Really? Are you sure?”
“Absolutely.”
Erin smiled down at the sleeping infant. “She does look like a Megan, doesn’t she? What do you think about Elizabeth for her middle—”
She froze. Jake had reached into his pocket and pulled out a ring box, and when he opened it, a square cut diamond shone against the black velvet.
She looked at him, and a slow smile spread across her face. “You’re proposing on Valentine’s Day? That’s awfully sentimental for a guy who said no hearts or flowers or soul mates or fairy tales.”
“I know.” He took a breath. “I’ve had the ring for a month, but I was afraid to ask you again. I knew I deserved another no.”
He took her hand in his. “Erin, I’m head over heels in love with you. Will you marry me?”
Warmth spread from her head to her toes. “I’m tempted to say yes, but what if it’s just the morphine talking?”
He smiled. “I’ll ask you again tomorrow. And the day after that, and the day after that.”
“It’s too much,” she whispered.
“What is?”
“Getting everything I ever wanted.”
He leaned down and kissed her. “Is that a yes?”
“Yes.” She took a deep breath and let it out. “Happy Valentine’s Day, Jake.”
“Happy Valentine’s Day.”
The baby stirred in her arms, and Erin kissed the top of her head. “And happy birthday to you, baby girl. It’s nice to finally meet you.”
“Was it worth the wait?” Jake asked softly.
Erin looked at the man she’d loved since she was thirteen years old. She knew he could see her heart in her eyes, because she could see his.
“The good things always are.”