“Fine,” he grunts.
I take the phone from Mae and walk into the kitchen. “Mr. Morgan, I’m sorry I couldn’t come to you directly and ask for her hand. I apologize.”
Gio doesn’t say anything right away, and I brace myself for the yelling. But then he says, “Cooper, my daughter has waited a long time for this. I’m not going to tell you if you hurt her, I’ll kill you because I trust my daughter, and if she picked you for a husband, then you must be a good man. But please take care of her. The only thing I need from you is your word.”
“You have it, sir.”
He nods. “Good. I’m sure we’ll be seeing you soon.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let me give this back to Isabella,” he grunts.
I give Mae the phone back, and I sit down next to her while Mae explains how we got together and points to Naomi. They looked a little surprised, but that’s fair. Family doesn’t always fit in round holes or square ones, for that matter.
Mae eventually hangs up, and she leans her head against my shoulder. “Are you okay?” she asks me.
I chuckle and kiss her temple. “I’m fine, but areyouokay?”
She groans. “Yes, no, maybe.”
“Solid answer.”
I glance at my watch and Naomi, who’s now sitting in front of the TV watching a movie.
“It’s time for bed, princess.”
Naomi groans and doesn’t move. “Fine, but can Mae read to me?” she asks.
I glance at her, and Mae stares at Naomi before looking up at me. “Are you sure?”
“Of course, you’re not going anywhere.”
“Mae will read to you, but you have to brush your teeth and get your PJ’s on.”
I pause the movie and Naomi reluctantly heads to her room to get ready for bed.
“I can’t believe she asked for me,” Mae whispers.
“I can, baby.”
Mae smiles and kisses me before she heads to Naomi’s room.
I smile to myself, watching her disappear down the hall, excited for our next chapter.
Chapter 47
Mae
Flowerslinethegrassyaisle, and it ends with a floral arch. Colorful daisies, lilacs, dahlias, lilies, poppies, baby's breath, and other greenery spring excitedly out of the arch form, almost as if it’s been growing there, waiting for us to find each other.
Cooper stands at the end of the aisle, in his black suit and tie, hair slicked back under his black hat, and a smile on his face.
My hand tightens on my father’s arm as we step closer and closer. I don’t hear the music. I just see him.
Everything goes by in a blur until the pastor asks Cooper the one question he has to answer. His hands tighten on mine, thumb rubbing over my engagement ring. “I do.”
I’m next, my throat is dry and I’ve done the best I can not to cry because I don’t want to ruin my makeup, but it doesn’t work.
