"Yes," I manage, the word coming out clear and certain despite my tears. "Yes, Axel. Yes to all of it."
His face transforms, relief and joy washing over his features. His hands shake slightly as he takes the ring from its box and slides it onto my finger. It fits perfectly, like it was always meant to be there.
"You're sure?" he whispers, his eyes searching mine. "You and Poppy, you're everything to me. I need you to be sure."
I cradle his face in my hands, feeling the slight stubble against my palms. "I've never been more sure of anything in my life."
He surges forward, capturing my mouth in a kiss that steals my breath. It's not just passion, though there's plenty of that, it's a promise, a vow, a declaration of everything we're committing to.
When we finally break apart, I'm half in his lap, both of us breathing hard. I rest my forehead against his, overwhelmed by the certainty that I've found my place in the world, not a hiding spot, not a temporary shelter, but a real home.
"We should tell Poppy," I whisper, glancing toward the lake where Aiden is still pointing out ducks to my daughter.
Axel nods, helping me to my feet. His arm wraps around my waist as we walk toward them, and I lean into his solid warmth.
Poppy spots us and immediately reaches for me, babbling excitedly. "Mama! Duck!"
"That's right, baby," I say, taking her from Aiden. "Ducks!"
Aiden's eyes immediately drop to my hand, spotting the ring. His face breaks into a wide grin. "I take it she said yes?"
"She did," Axel confirms, his voice thick with emotion.
"Congratulations," Aiden says, pulling his brother into a quick, fierce hug before turning to me. "Welcome to the family, Sadie. Though it feels like you've been part of it all along."
"Thank you," I manage, touched by his immediate acceptance. "For everything."
Poppy, sensing the emotional atmosphere, pats my cheeks with her tiny hands. "Mama?"
I kiss her forehead, breathing in her sweet baby scent. "Guess what, Poppy? Axel is going to be your daddy. We're going to be a family."
She doesn't understand the words, of course, but she seems to grasp the importance of the moment. She reaches for Axel, who takes her with practiced ease, settling her on his hip like she's always belonged there.
"What do you say, Bug? Ready for a lifetime of adventures with us?" he asks her, using the nickname he gave her weeks ago.
Poppy responds by patting his face the same way she patted mine, then laying her head on his shoulder with complete trust. The sight brings fresh tears to my eyes.
"Come home with me," Axel says, looking at me over Poppy's dark curls. The way he says it so confidently, like it's already our home, like the future is already decided. I like that.
"Yes," I say simply, reaching for his free hand.
Aiden helps us pack up the picnic, the four of us working together as the sun begins to set over the lake. The fairy lights come on automatically, casting a warm glow over the clearing.
"I've got this," Aiden says, taking the picnic basket. "You three go on ahead."
The drive to Axel's house is quiet, comfortable. Poppy falls asleep in her car seat, worn out from the excitement. I keep looking at the ring on my finger, still not quite believing this is real.
When we arrive, Axel carries the sleeping Poppy inside while I follow with the diaper bag. It's not my first time in his house, we've spent countless evenings here over the past two months, but tonight feels different. Tonight, it's not just his house. It's our future home.
"There's something I want to show you," he says softly, careful not to wake Poppy. "Upstairs."
I follow him up the staircase, past his bedroom to the door at the end of the hall, a room I've never entered. He pushes it open, and I gasp.
It's a nursery. A fully furnished, beautifully decorated nursery for Poppy. The walls are a soft sage green, adorned with hand-painted woodland creatures. A white crib stands against one wall, a comfortable rocking chair in the corner. There's a changing table, a small bookshelf already filled with children's books, a dresser with tiny clothes folded neatly inside the open drawers.
"When did you do this?" I whisper, taking in every detail, the stuffed bunny sitting in the crib, the baby monitor on the nightstand, the soft rug that matches the one in my apartment.
"Been working on it for weeks," Axel admits, gently laying Poppy in the crib. She stirs but doesn't wake, clutching the bunny he tucks beside her. "I wanted it to be ready, whenever you were ready."
