“Well, hello there,” I whispered, reaching down and softly brushing Ayah’s cheek with the crook of my finger. Her skin was so soft. Her cheeks rosy.
Her eyes fluttered open and she let out a long yawn from her tiny, gummy mouth. My heart grew just at the sight of it. She blinked a few times and rolled her head around, trying to get comfortable. As I looked at her gray eyes, I wondered what color they would end up being. Blue or green. I hoped they were Sadie’s.
“I’ve got you,” I said softly. I scooped her up from the cot and held her in one arm, while the other freed her from her swaddle. She stretched her tiny arms slightly, happy to be free from the blanket wrapped around her. I called it a straitjacket, which made Sadie laugh.
“Come see the snow with me,” I said, nuzzling my face into the crook of her neck and breathing in her perfect newborn smell. I walked her over to the window and turned her to face the gently flurry coming down outside. I knew she couldn’t really see farat all, maybe twelve inches or so, but I hoped she couldfeelthe magic. I could certainlyfeelthe cold. I reminded myself to turn the heater up.
“This is my favorite time of year,” I told her. “Most people hate the snow, butIlove it. The way it coats the city, making it a winter wonderland. Even though the holidays would so often make me sad. Lonely. I still could feel the magic of it all, even if I had no one to share it with. But now…” I looked down at her sucking on her fingers.
“Now, I have you to share it with. And your mom. Your wonderful, beautiful mom.” My heart swelled just thinking about Sadie, and seeing so much of her in the baby I held in my arms.
Just then, I heard Sadie’s startled cry coming from our bedroom. I felt like the wind was knocked out of me, imagining the worst. Anderson’s face flashed in my mind for a split second before I shook it away, knowing he was long gone. But still, maybe she had gotten hurt somehow. I held Ayah tighter and quickly strode down the hall to find Sadie, careful not to trip with the precious cargo in my arms. I finally reached the bedroom, my breath heavy, and my eyes frantic as I looked around our room for her.
My eyes landed on her sitting on the edge of the bed. Her back was turned to me, her auburn hair falling down her back in waves.
“Sadie?” I asked warily, walking quickly toward her.
She slowly turned her head, her eyes wide as they found mine. They looked like large emeralds as I searched them for answers. She held her hand to her mouth, not able to say anything. That was when I saw it. The small black velvet box in her hands. Her eyes left mine and fell back down to the sparkling engagement ring that shone from the maroon velvet pillow inside the box.
The same ring I had picked out just three days ago at the jeweler when I had set my mind on proposing to her. Hell, I think I had set my mind on it a while ago, but something that morning told me to go buy a ring. I had spent hours scouring the glass cases, trying to find the perfect ring for her. The owner had closed the entire place, so we could have a private appointment, and was patient as I deliberated.
Her friends had been no help at all. I had called them, asking for any insight into what Sadie might like. After getting through their squeals of excitement, they admitted they had no idea what their friend would like for an engagement ring. Not a shape. A size. A color. Nothing.
They said the idea of marriage had never come up with Sadie or her previous relationships, which broke my heart and filled it with pride all at the same time. I was the first person to ever come close with her. It was an honor I wouldn’t take lightly. I assured them of that before hanging up and heading out to the jewelry store.
After taking my time in choosing, I settled on a platinum band that beheld a colorless marquise four-carat diamond in the center. On either side of the diamond were two smaller diamonds. I saw the three diamonds as a way to symbolize ourfamily. Our story that led to our baby, who I knew could arrive any day at that point. And she did. Many hours later.
When I got back to the apartment late that morning, Sadie was at brunch, giving me an opportunity to hide the ring. I hid the small box on the top shelf of our master closet, before heading out with Kevin to the baby store. I hadn’t expected Sadie to find it, since she could hardly reach the shelves underneath it, especially with her bump getting in the way. I also hadn’t expected her to go into labor that day, but here we were.
I rubbed my hand against the back of my neck nervously. “You weren’t supposed to find that…”
“It fell from the top shelf of the closet,” she said guiltily. “I wasn’t looking for it. I promise. I was just trying to toss my hospital bag up there, and it came tumbling down.”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay,” I said, placing Ayah in the bassinet next to the bed and walking to Sadie’s side.
She swallowed hard, running her thumb over the ring. “How long have you had this?” she asked softly.
I smiled at her. “I got it the day you went into labor.”
“Oh…” She let out a quiet sob, a tear streaming down her cheek as she looked back to the ring.
“Do you like it?” I asked nervously.
“Are you kidding?” she asked loudly, making Ayah jerk awake before falling back asleep. Sadie put her hands to her mouth, as if trying to keep quiet. “It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.”
It made me happy to hear I had made the right choice. Though this wasn’t exactly the proposal I had in mind, the moment was here. And to be honest, it was kind of perfect. The first fall of snow. Sadie comfortable in her favorite robe, fresh-faced and beautiful in the home we shared. Our beautiful baby girl right here with us. I took a deep breath and lowered myself to one knee.
She let out a small gasp, both hands flying to her mouth, abandoning the ring in her lap. I bit back the grin that wanted to erupt on my face, and reached for the box on her legs. I clasped it in my hands and looked up at her, her eyes watching me in surprise.
“Sadie, you walked into my life in the most unexpected way. Truly, you scaled twenty-four floors to get up here,” I said in awe.
She laughed softly, more tears streaming down her face.
“I would never have expected to find you breaking and entering. The most beautiful woman I have ever met.”
“Trust me, I wasn’t expecting you either.”
“But that surprise was what my life needed. I always know what’s coming. It’s how I like my life. To be in control of it. As I’m sure you know…” I narrowed my gaze, catching a hint of a smirk across her beautiful lips.
