We pose for silly shots. Aura makes everyone laugh by sticking her tongue out in every photo. Reuben pulls Gabriel into a dramatic dip-kiss pose with me that has the whole family cracking up.
Once the shoot wraps up, we head to Reuben’s restaurant, and I’m blown away by what I find. The entire place is decorated, and the warmth of the space matches the joy in my heart.
Twinkling lights hang from the ceiling like a thousand stars, and there’s a table in the back covered in framed photos from our relationship. Italy, the cafe, a blurry one of Gabriel sleeping on the couch with Aura. My breath catches in my throat.
I laugh softly, shaking my head. “What would you have done if I said no?”
Gabriel pulls me close, his hands on my waist as he leans down to kiss my forehead. “Didn’t even cross my mind, Bumper. I knew you would say yes.”
My heart swells with gratitude. Family has always been important to me and right now, surrounded by all the people I love has me riding a high in the gratitude department.
Mom, Dad, and Reuben are talking to Josh, and Kenna is doing her usual round, thanking everyone for coming. It’s a perfect evening, and I feel like I’m floating on air.
Gabriel leans in, his voice soft and intimate. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours, Bumper?”
I scoot closer to him closer to him, resting my head on his shoulder. “Nothing. I’m just thinking about how lucky I am.”
He chuckles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head. “I’m the lucky one, sweetheart.”
As I sit there, surrounded by my family and the man I love, I realize that everything I thought I wanted for my life has come true in a way I never imagined.
Falling in love with the new single dad in town wasn’t on my bingo card for the year. But sometimes, things don’t happen the way we plan.
I wrap my arms around Gabriel’s waist, leaning into him more. “So, what now? What happens with Aura?”
Gabriel picks up his glass, sipping it slowly as he meets my eyes. “Nothing. What we have—this, us— has nothing to do with that case or legal stuff. I’m marrying you because I have been wanting to ask you to marry me for a long time. You know, when we came back from Italy, I went straight to the jeweler. I had the ring designed. I showed my Ma. She was so happy the day I showed her the ring. She said to me ‘Amore Mio, if you mess this one up, I will hit you across the head with my paper.’ She loves you,” he adds with a smile
I laugh, shaking my head. “She’s something else.”
Gabriel gives me a crooked smile before his mood shifts. I notice him checking his phone again, his brow furrowing. Something is not right. I walk over to him, placing my hand on his back.
“What’s wrong, love?”
He pulls me into Reuben’s office, shutting the door behind us. His voice is low and tense. “That was my lawyer. He still thinks being married is best, but I already told him no. I know in my heart that you and I are what is best for Aura. If a judge can’t see that…” He trails off, frustration clouding his face.
I walk up to him, wrapping my arms around his neck. “Babe, no one—and I mean no one—is taking our girl away from us. We are the best parents for her. And we will keep proving that.”
Gabriel sits on the couch, pulling me with him. I straddle his lap, and as he leans in to kiss me, the world outside fades away. The kiss starts out soft, slow, but quickly deepens. His hands slide to my back, pulling me closer, and I lose myself in him.
“I love you so much,” he says, grinning between kisses, pressing a gentle one to the tip of my nose.
I smile, my heart full. Even though I’m not Aura’s biological mom, I’m hers in every way that counts. And nothing—nothing—will stop me from making sure she stays with Gabriel and me, no matter what.
Pulling back just enough to look him in the eye, I murmur, “Gab, I don’t want to wait to get married. Let’s do it around Christmas. Just a few months away, and I want to spend our first Christmas together as husband and wife.”
Gabriel’s expression shifts, confusion passing over his face. “Bumper, love, we just got engaged. And last time I asked you to get married, you shut me out for a month. If you really want to get married for Christmas, we can do that. But I need to know…I can’t lose you again.”
This sweet man.
I pull him close, my voice steady and sure. “Honey, trust me when I say you will never lose me. You and Sweets are stuck with me. Forever.” I say, pulling him close.
And as I whisper those words, I realize that no matter what comes next. I’m supposed to be with Gabriel. With Aura.
Forever.
When we get home, Aura is already asleep. We put her to bed together and the second I shut her door, Gabriel lifts me up and carries me into our bedroom like I weigh nothing at all. My legs wrap around his waist like they belonged there.
“You sure you’re okay?” He asks quietly, his hands still holding my waist like he’s afraid I’ll slip away.
