Santa's Secret Baby

“I want to ask you something, Rae.”

“Sure.” She shrugs. “I ask stuff all the time.”

I bite my bottom lip to keep from laughing. God, could she be any cuter? “You know I love you, right?”

“Yep, because you’re my dad.” The way smiles at me could break me in half if I let it.

“And you know I love Mommy too, right?”

“Yep, because she’s my mom.” The way her little mind works is so innocent, and I hope it’s always this way.

“And you know I’m never leaving you again, right?”

She nods and takes another sip of cocoa. “Because I’m your daughter.”

“Exactly.” I smile as I hold her hand. “I want to ask you something very important because it would mean a lot to me if I had your permission.”

“If you’re going to ask if you can jump on the bed, the answer is no. Mommy won’t be happy about it.”

I have to bite back my laughter as I shake my head. “No, it’s not that.” She smiles sweetly and waits. “I want to know if I can have your permission to marry Mommy.”

“Like a bride and groom?” Now she sits up in her chair as her eyes widen. “And flowers and cake!”

“Yes.” I’m beaming now as her mind begins to conjure up all she knows about weddings. “Would you help me ask her?”

“Me?” Now she’s out of her seat and bouncing on her toes. “We need to get a ring.”

“I’ve got one right here.” I pull the box out of my pocket and open it for her. I got it the same day I got her bracelet, but I wanted to wait and talk to her about it before I asked Jillian.

“Oh my goodness, it’s so sparkly,” she squeals as she tries to yank it out of the box.

“Why don’t we wait and let Mommy try it on first?” She pauses and then nods like it’s a sound idea, and I want to laugh all over again.

“This is the best news ever. Let’s leave right now and go ask her. Wait, you have to get on one knee.” She’s looking me over like she’s trying to figure out if that’s possible.

I tuck the ring back in my pocket and then scoop her up in my arms. She squeals as I hold her close, and then I feel her little arms squeeze me back. Tears sting my eyes because I didn’t know that I could be so happy.

“So you get down on one knee and I’ll open the box,” she says when I put her on her feet and she starts pulling me toward the door.

“Deal,” I agree and find myself moving my feet a little faster too.

Now that I see how excited Rae is for me to marry Jillian, I don’t want to wait any longer. We race to the car, and I buckle her up, then we sing the whole way home.

I’m hardly able to make it through the front door and down to one knee before Rae is shouting to the house that “Mommy and Daddy are getting married!”

Next time I’ve got a surprise, maybe we’ll practice beforehand.EpilogueJillianThe next Christmas…“I can’t believe you have heels on.” Rae lifts her dress to show off her mini heels that she had to have for the wedding. They are freaking adorable.

She sways her dress back and forth before doing a spin. She and Isaac have a special father-daughter dance planned for the reception. They have been working on it for weeks now. I adore them together, and nothing fills me with happiness more than our family.

She loved the heels so much she wanted me to get a pair to match. This might be my wedding, but I want Rae to be a part of it in a big way. Isaac isn't only the man of my dreams but of Rae’s too. I couldn't have wished for a better father for her.

“You look so pretty, Mommy.” She stands next to me as we look in the mirror. We will be walking down the aisle soon.

This wedding is so different from my first. I have no regrets about marrying Paul because he brought Isaac into my life, who gave me Rae. And now that our family is about to grow, I wonder how Rae is going to handle the news.

“You look pretty too.” I lean down and kiss her cheek.

Last night she and I had a sleepover because Eve wouldn’t let Isaac and me see each other after the rehearsal dinner. I’m not used to going this long without him.

I know it’s only hours, but we are making up for lost time. We never spend much time apart, but I enjoyed my little slumber party with Rae. She did my nails for today, and even though they look a little bit of a mess, I love them nonetheless.