Apparently hearing the commotion, my mother pulls the curtains open and rushes over to hug Hayden and then me. “She’s fine. She’s okay. I should have started the call telling you that. I’m sorry. We couldn’t get a hold of you right away, and there’s not much signal between our house and here. When you answered, they were already checking her over to make sure it was just her arm. It is. She’s dressed and we’re just waiting on discharge papers, if you want to go in.”
“You go on in, Hayden,” I urge. “I’ll be there in a minute.”
I do my best to ignore my mother’s smirk. “She’s really okay? How long have you guys been here? We got here as fast as we could…”
“Well, we called as soon as it happened, but when no one answered, we didn’t wait around to get her to the hospital. They got her right in, so we didn’t get a chance to call until the doctor left the room, and that’s when Hayden picked up. I guess you guys were—busy.”
My cheeks are flaming as I look anywhere but toward my dad. My hair is still slightly damp, so I’m sure it’s pretty obvious why we didn’t hear the phone. The fact that Sierra was with my parents and not some strangers is the only thing keeping me from feeling like absolute shit over this. Accidents happen. She was with responsible adults. And she’s fine.
“I’m going to go in and check on her,” I say, my face still feeling like it’s on fire.
When I step around the curtain, I’m struck by the sight of Hayden looking like a worried father as he sits in the chair beside the bed, absently scrubbing a hand over his beard. As my parents said, Sierra appears to be fine. She’s not even letting the splint get in the way of her scrolling.
Hayden’s eyes meet mine, and he gives me a fragile smile. “Hey.”
“Hey,” I say gently before I make my way over to the bed and direct my attention to Sierra. “And hey, you. Are you okay? Are you in pain?”
Sierra gives me a relieved smile, like she was worried I wouldn’t be here. “Nah, it’s not bad. Just sucks I won’t be ableto do anything until this cast comes off. Guess I’ll be out of your way for a while.”
“Out of my way? Are you sure they checked your head?”
Sierra laughs, and the sound soothes away my uneasiness. “My head is fine. And I’m glad you’re here.”
My heart melting, I blink my eyes when they begin to sting for what feels like way too many times in one day. I will not cry. Not again. Hayden’s hand finds mine, and when he gives it a tug, I take the seat beside him, allowing him to pull me close.
“Sierra, how would you feel about Miranda being here all the time? Well, nothere,but with us.”
I whip my head around to look at him. When he said he was going to talk to her about it, I didn’t think he meant immediately. And I didn’t know he meant with me present. When I turn back to face Sierra, I find her watching us with the biggest smile I have ever seen. Her eyes are lit up like it’s Christmas, and I lose the battle over my tears.
“I’m not five. I know what couples do. You can move your girlfriend in without making it weird.”
I snort out a laugh. This kid. She somehow has an innocence about her while also being wise beyond her years.
“I’m not talking about moving my girlfriend in. I’m talking about doing things the old-fashioned way, and moving my wife in.”
I stop breathing. I can’t move. For a moment, I think I might cease to exist. I somehow manage to face Hayden, but when I open my mouth to speak, I only utter one whispered word. “What?”
“This isn’t how I planned to do this. Hell, I haven’t even come up with a plan yet, but I don’t want to waste another minute. I want you with me all the time. I want to have coffee with you every morning. I want you with me when I go to sleep every night…” He stands from his chair and guides me to do the same before dropping to one knee. “I love you. I’ve probably loved you from the moment I saw you. That phone call reminded me how quickly things can change, and it’s silly to wait when I already know we’re meant to be a family. Will you marry me?”
Tears stream freely down my face as I nod enthusiastically. I’m vaguely aware of Sierra’s excited squeal behind me as I struggle to keep from floating away. Hayden was willing to let me go off on my own and explore life, even though his feelings were this strong. He loves me for me, while I pushed him away. This overpowering love I’ve been trying to fight wasn’t one-sided after all.
When my vision comes into focus, I realize Hayden is still on one knee because I haven’t actually answered his question. I manage another whispered word. “Yes.”
He’s on his feet and kissing me before I can blink. Cupping my face in both hands, he presses his lips to mine, only lingering for a moment before pulling away to rest his forehead against mine. It’s an act I’ve grown used to, but it will never get old.
“I love you,” he says quietly.
“I love you more,” I reply with a shy smile.
“Not possible.”
“Gross, get a room,” Sierra says, her teasing voice just loud enough to break the spell.
Laughing, I step back just in time for my parents to come rushing in. My dad has that face he gets when he’s trying his best, and failing, to play dumb, but the grin on my mother’s face as she dabs at a tear tells me all I need to know. They heard everything.
“What’s all the commotion?” my dad asks in a booming voice.
“Oh, Roger, shut up.” My mom swats at my dad before returning her attention to me. “Honey. My baby. You’re getting married? I’m so happy for you!”
