The plane begins to descend, and I double-check that Valentina’s car seat is buckled correctly.
Nate rubs my arm. “It’s still the same as it was the last time you checked.”
“I know.” He’s right, but I check again, just in case.
“Don’t be nervous, Mads.”
“I’m not.” I rub my fingers through my daughter’s hair as her eyes try to stay open. “You’ve got to stay up, sweetheart.” I press the button on one of her toys, which she normally loves, but she’s zonked.
“Is there anything else I can get you, Mr. and Mrs. Davenport, before we land?”
“We’re okay. Thank you,” Nate replies.
I smirk. “Mrs. Davenport.” Then hold up my hand to get a good look at my large emerald ring. “I love being a Davenport.”
“Sounds fucking good, doesn’t it?”
“It sounds natural, like it was always meant to be.”
Nate softens beside me. “Because it was my goddess.”
We’ve decided that there was a blip in the universe, that I never wore another man’s ring, even if it meant nothing.
That this beautiful gem is the first ring to ever grace my finger.
And I’m glad because only Nate’s ring deserves a place on me.
“When I sat in school daydreaming of leaving for college, I’d scribble ‘Madeline Davenport’ over and over again.” I grin, thinking of the fond memory. “My notebook was confiscated one time. I don’t think I ever told you that, and I was mortified.”
“Whoa, Maddie was in trouble in school. That’s a first,” he teases, and I roll my eyes.
Nate glances at Valentina. “Your mommy is a goody two-shoes.”
The plane’s wheels hit the tarmac, and it surprises me. “I didn’t realize we were close to landing.”
“You’re too occupied with my good looks.” Nate winks, then unbuckles and starts gathering our stuff.
When it’s safe, I unbuckle Valentina and take Skye’s leash in my other hand. Nate undoes the car seat and takes our belongings down from the overhead.
“This is it, Valentina, your new home. I hope you love it.” I kiss her forehead, pulling her close into my chest, feeling emotional.
“Is everyone waiting at our place?” I ask Nate as he guides us to our waiting car.
“Yeah. Leo just texted that everyone is there.”
“How do we do this?”
My eyes widen in horror. “You want me to do it?”
Nate snickers. “You stand out in the hall with Valentina, and I’ll bring in Skye because she’s going to need a moment to let loose in there, especially when she sees Claud, and if they brought Summer, it will be mayhem.”
“Yes. Good idea.”
A few moments later, I hear our guests’ voices settle, and Nate’s voice rise.
“Leo has asked you to come here today under the assumption that it was a welcome home party after our year-long trip, but that was a ruse. Madeline and I have a special surprise. A surprise that’s been eleven months in the making…”
I walk through the door, holding my baby in a protective hold. “Please welcome home our daughter, Valentina Rosa Davenport.”
