Hot Mess

But that wasn’t what hers said.

One side of hers said daughter, and the other half said mom.

“Oh, get on with it, Theodore,” I whispered, trying not to lose it.

His lips twitched. “Elle, you would make me the happiest man alive if you’d agree to be my wife.”

I choked on a breath.

“And you would make me…” Ari paused as tears filled her eyes. “Really really happy if you’d adopt me and be my mom.”

I dropped to my knees and hugged them both into me. I sobbed into Theo’s shoulder as Ari cried against my chest, and it took all my strength to whisper, “I would love nothing more in this world than to be your mom,” into her ear.

“Don’t leave me hanging,” Theo joked, his voice cracking.

“Well, I guess I can’t have her without you, can I?”

Together, we all laughed, breaking through the crying.

“Yes,” I said, touching the side of his face. “Yes. A thousand times yes. Forever.”

THE END