“I wanted to surprise you.”
“Surprises are my favorite!”
In the last couple of weeks, I had truly turned a corner in my relationship with my kids. Ethan was my buddy, following me around like a shadow from the second I walked through the front doors. We talked about everything, and Evie said I was his new hero. It wasn’t a hard role to fill. They both made it so easy, often fighting for my attention.
Evie had been sneaking into my bedroom every night after they went to bed, sleeping in my arms. Until this morning, when Evie forgot to set her alarm, and we woke up with Ethan and Ariel staring at us. Thank fuck we weren’t naked. She was just sleeping in my arms.
Before we could explain, they hauled ass out of my room laughing. Neither one of them said anything about it during breakfast.
I had to go into the office for a couple hours to tie up some loose ends.
“I have another surprise for you, baby girl. Actually, it’s a surprise for you too, Ethan.”
They stopped playing and walked over to the couch I was sitting on.
“I have something to show you.”
They stared at me with curiosity as I opened the ring box.
“Wow…” Ariel breathed out, looking at the diamond with amazement. “That’s super pretty, Daddy.”
Unable to gauge their reaction, I stated, “It’s for Evie.”
“You got Evie a present?” Ethan questioned.
“Something like that.” I smiled.
“I think she’s going to love it. It’s so shiny and big. Can I try it on please?”
I let her.
“Daddy, do you think one day a boy will give me a ring this pretty?”
“Not if I can help it.”
She giggled.
“Are you trying to tell us something, Dad?”
“You’re too smart for your own good, Ethan.”
Ariel cocked her head. “What are you trying to tell us?”
“I asked Evie to marry me.”
Her mouth dropped open. “You did?”
“Mmm hmm. What do you guys think about that?”
“Can I be the flower girl? Please, Daddy! I promise I’ll do the best job ever!”
“Of course. What about you, Ethan? You want to be my ring bearer?”
“Does this mean Evie is going to be with us forever?”
“Yes.”
“Is she going to move into our house, or are we going to move into hers?”
“I was thinking we would buy a whole new house where we can make a bunch of new memories.”
His eyes went from the ring to me. “Does that mean she’s going to be our mom now?”
I chose my words carefully. “Evie would love to be your mom, but she can be whatever you want her to be.”
Ariel scratched her head, confused. “So we don’t call her Mommy?”
“Baby girl, you can call her whatever you want.”
Her gaze shifted to her brother, then back to me again. Before she could reply, Evie walked into the playroom, looking like a fucking goddess. She was stunning in her lilac dress.
My whole world was in this room, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
Evie
“Hey! I didn’t hear you come in, Caleb. You need to go get ready. People will be here soon.”
The playroom suddenly felt stifling.
“What’s going on? Why are you all looking at me like that?”
Ethan and Ariel peered at each other with smiles on their adorable faces.
“What are you gu—”
“We love that you’re our new mommy!” Ariel exclaimed.
And my heart just exploded.
They ran to me and jumped into my arms.
“Daddy says I can be the flower girl and Ethan is the ring bearer!”
Tears formed in my eyes.
“Now that the king and queen are getting married, we still need a baby,” Ariel added, hugging me as tight as she could.
My gaze connected with Caleb’s, and he nodded, silently giving me his approval to tell them. I crouched to their level so I could look into their eyes.
“What if I told you there’s already a baby in my belly?”
“We’re going to be a family!” Ethan shouted as they tackled me to the floor, falling into a fit of laughter with Ariel.
Caleb didn’t waver, sitting next to us. “Get her,” he playfully demanded.
“Yes, let’s get her good, Daddy.”
“On the count of three, okay?”
“Caleb…” I warned.
They both nodded, counting, “One...”
“Ariel,” I coaxed.
“Two…” they added in unison.
“This isn’t fair.”
“Three!” they yelled together.
I instantly got up to take off running, but Caleb wrapped his arm around my waist before I took a step, flinging me up in the air.
“Caleb!” I giggled, loving this game even though I liked to pretend I didn’t.
He placed me down on the ground, straddling my legs. The kids attacked me, tickling me everywhere as I thrashed around, screaming and laughing all at once.
“This isn’t fair! It’s three against one!”
Caleb held my arms above my head, tickling my neck and face with his beard.
“Oh my God! Stop!” I thrashed around, moving my face from side to side until they jumped on Caleb’s back, tickling him now.
He placed the diamond on my finger, confirming, “It’s where it belongs now.”