And…cue the waterworks, because now her tears fell in earnest.
“You’re up, buddy,” Connor whispered to Jonah.
“I like this family,” he said confidently. “I like Connor and Annabeth and making s’mores and running around the resort and waffles and…and…”
Annabeth nudged him.
“And I think Connor would be a good dad and Annabeth would be a good big sister. Even when she shoves me.”
“I didn’t shove,” she whispered.
“Okay,” Connor quietly cut them off before giving Lexi a lopsided grin. “We all love you, and I think we could make one really awesome family.”
Pausing, he held out his hand to Jonah, who reached into his own tiny pants pocket and pulled out a ring that he placed on Connor’s palm.
“Lexi Scott, will you make us the happiest family in the world and marry us?”
She couldn’t even get the words out. Nodding, she dropped onto her knees for a group hug as Connor put the ring on her finger.
“Yay! We’re married!” Jonah cried out.
“This is the best day ever!” Annabeth added before she took Jonah over to the toy box.
Cupping her face in his magnificent hands, Connor rested his forehead against hers. “Marry me, Lexi.”
“Yes,” she whispered right before he sealed it with a kiss.
It was over way too soon, and when they broke apart, she sat back so she could see her ring.
“Oh, Connor…it’s beautiful,” she said in a hushed tone. The oval diamond was one of the largest she’d ever seen, and was flanked by pear-shaped side stones, creating a graceful yet striking silhouette. And it fit perfectly. When she looked up at him, he looked beyond pleased. “This is incredible. How did you manage to pull all this off today? Especially after everything that happened last night and this morning?”
Slowly, he got to his feet before helping her up and leading her to the kitchen where he had a bottle of sparkling cider for them all to toast with.
“After you left this morning, I just knew that it was time. I felt awful for even bringing up getting married and asking you when you deserved a properly romantic proposal.”
“This was definitely romantic,” she assured him. “And how you got the kids to be a part of it?” Her hand rested over her heart. “That was possibly the sweetest thing in the whole world.”
“We practiced a lot, believe me. But once the idea took hold, I knew I could pull it off with a little help. So I made some calls and Maisie helped too. She’s the one who decorated.”
“Oh my goodness! I can’t wait to thank her!”
“I told everyone we’d see them tomorrow at breakfast after we took the kids to school. Tonight, we are not to be disturbed.” He turned and looked at the kitchen. “Actually, everything should be on its way down from the kitchen now.”
Her eyes went wide. “Really? You mean you didn’t cook?”
“Well, I helped, but I couldn’t do it all. I’m no Superman.”
Wrapping her arms around him, she shook her head. “I disagree. You’re my Superman. This is all just…it’s everything, Connor. I love you.”
“I love you too, beautiful girl.”
There was a knock on the door before they could say anything else, and Connor sprang into action. Three servers came in and placed several covered dishes on the table that was already set for them. Lexi thanked them, but they were gone in the blink of an eye.
“Okay, kiddos,” Connor said after he shut the door. “Let’s eat!”
When they were all seated, and Connor began lifting lids, Lexi burst out laughing. “Are you telling me our engagement dinner is chicken fingers?”
“With all the dipping sauces,” he told her seriously, but then he grinned. “Actually, this is for the kids, along with mac and cheese. That was their request. But you and I are having my seafood risotto.”
