“Very well.” I run past him, and to the back of the house to the kids’ room.
“Daddy!!” She says raising her arms for me to pick her up. “What are you doing here? I haven’t had pancakes yet.” her pout is so freaking cute.
“I’m sorry baby girl. We had something come up and Daddy needs to get you home so you can hear about it. Is that ok? I promise, as soon as it is all done, we can come back here if you want with your mama and eat pancakes. If that is alright with your grandma.” I look to my mom.
“Of course, it is, but is everything ok son?”
“Never better Mama. Will tell you everything in a bit.” I kiss her cheek and me and Kari race out of the house. The entire drive back my little girl talks about everything she did last night with her cousins and friends and how much fun she had. It isn’t until we pull up to the house that she asks. “Daddy is Mommy ok?”
“She is, baby girl. We just have something to tell you.” As we walk into the house, I thought I was hearing things at first. But, when Kari says, “Daddy, who’s crying?” I know I heard right. Why the fuck is Lissi crying? Is she not happy about the baby? We walk into the room and Kari runs to her mom putting her head on her leg.
“Mommy, what’s wrong?” She asks in her sweet little voice. Lissi pops up, wiping her face, shocked to see Kari here right now.
“What are you doing back so early, baby girl?” She looks at me in question.
“I believe Kari asked you a question first. Why are you crying?” She looks at me and then she looks at Kari.
“Why don’t we discuss this later. Not in front of her.” She says rubbing Kari’s hair.
“No. Tell me now.” I say to her, wanting her to know she can’t lie to me. She looks down at Kari and back up at me. When she sees my face and how serious I am, she takes a deep breath and answers.
“You left me when I told you. I guess it just hurts.” Shit. Now that I think about it, I was so shocked and excited that I did walk out without saying anything to her. Fuck! No wonder she is so sad. I walk up to her and grab her face. Leaning in, I kiss her and take a step back.
“I’m so sorry baby. I was just so excited and shocked and knew I wanted to go get Kari. We had a plan, the two of us, to take you out to the carnival we attended in high school, when I knew I loved you back then. I was going to ask you to marry me on the ferris wheel we used to get on next week when it comes to town. However, knowing what you said to me this morning, I don’t want to wait any longer.” I turn and face my daughter. “Kari, I know you and I had a plan, but Mommy is going to have another baby, so it wouldn’t be a good idea.” I don’t get to finish that because my daughter is jumping up and down, shouting and clapping. Apparently, she is happy to be a big sister. Turning back to Lisette, I drop to one knee.
“Lisette. You have been my everything since we first met, over eight years ago. The day I lost you, I lost a part of me. I never thought I would have the chance to touch you again. Seeing you and learning we made a beautiful baby girl, opened up something in me, long since chained away. I swear, to love you and our children, the rest of my life. Will you marry me?” My heart is literally beating out of my chest. I could feel the sweat forming on my upper lip, as I wait for my love to say yes.
“Oh my God, Troy. It’s beautiful. Yes. of course, I will marry you.” She gets on her knees in front of me and cries as she wraps her arms around my neck. I hold my arm out for Kari and together, as a family, we embrace our new beginning.10LisetteTroy gave me less than two weeks to get this wedding together. I don’t know how he thought I could pull this together in so little time, but it’s all done.
Missy, the goddess she is, will be handling all the food with Loki. The reception will be at UTGARD. Bill will be officiating. Normally it would be at his church, which used to be my dad’s, but I want an outdoor wedding. Summer is ending and the woods out by the Crawford’s place is gorgeous since the leaves are already turning. I picked out Troy’s ring with Torran’s help. It came from the Elite section. It belonged to Thor’s grandfather, Arne. There is an eagle engraved on the side and the ancient rune Odal (?) engraved on the inside. Odal is the Old Norse symbol for heritage and family. It’s perfect for Troy.