Evie nods, eyes wide and curious.
“Well, I got you something to make it official.”
He pulls a small white box from his pocket and slides it to her. Her little hands tremble as she opens it, and when she sees the bracelet, her mouth forms a perfectO.
“It’s so pretty,” she whispers.
“It’s for you,” Cam says, voice gentle. “I wanted to get both of you something special. Because this isn’t just about your mom and me—it’s about all three of us.”
She stares at him for a long moment, then at me, then back at him. “It’s my family bracelet?”
He smiles. “Exactly.”
She grins so big it practically lights up the room. “I love it!” She holds out her wrist eagerly. “Can I wear it?”
Cam fastens the clasp, careful with her little arm, and when he’s done, Evie throws her good arm around his neck, squeezing tight.
“Thank you, Cam.”
The bracelet catches the light as Evie twirls her wrist, the little star charm glinting in the restaurant’s soft glow.
“You like it?” Cam asks, smiling.
“I love it!” she says, eyes wide. “Does this mean I’m part of the team now?”
He grins. “You’ve always been part of the team, bug.”
Evie beams, kicking her feet under the table. “Then we need team T-shirts.”
Cam laughs. “I’ll see what I can do.”
I watch the two of them, warmth spreading through my chest. Evie’s bracelet sparkles every time she gestures wildly through another story. I can’t remember the last time someone looked at both of us and saw family. I don’t know that any man ever has.
When the waitress leaves dessert menus behind, Cam shifts. “I’ve got something for you too,” he says softly.
I laugh nervously. “Cam, you’ve already done enough.”
He shakes his head, pushing back his chair. “Not even close.”
Before I can ask what he means, he’s on one knee beside the table, pulling a small velvet box from hispocket.
My heart stops. “Cam…”
Evie gasps so loud the couple at the next table glances over. “Mom! He’s doing the thing!”
“I know we’ve already said vows, but Katie, I want you to know that I choose you. I choose us.”
Cam’s eyes stay locked on mine. He takes a breath like he’s settling something inside himself, then he speaks. “I could tell you a hundred reasons why I want you,” he says. “But it all comes down to this. I want my life to happen next to yours, Katie. I want mornings with you. I want dinners with Evie. I want every ordinary, messy, beautiful day with both of you. Not just for now. For always.”
The words are simple in the most perfect way. They fall between us with the weight of everything that’s brought us here—something I’ve secretly wanted and been terrified to want in the same breath.
For a heartbeat, I can’t breathe.
This is the moment I always thought belonged to other people. The kind of moment I used to watch from the outside and tell myself I didn’t need. The kind of promise I taught myself not to hope for.
And now it’s here—in Cam’s voice, in the certainty in his eyes—and it knocks something loose inside my chest.
He’s not talking about fairy tales or perfect futures. He’s talking about day-to-day life. About showing up. About choosing us—me and Evie—on purpose.
