“We love you Blair, thank you for looking after our girl,” Sage says with a warm smile.
“Yeah, love you, B. Talk tomorrow, okay?” I know I sound impatient, and well, it’s because I am.
“Fine. Love you five-ever. Me and Ivy arejust fine. Say bye-bye.” She pans back to Ivy, lifting her chubby hand up in a wave.
I have to physically remove the phone from Sage’s hands to stop her from waving and blowing kisses and finally hang up.
“Let’s go, little mama. London awaits.”
“Okay, okay.” Sage stands up and walks over to our suitcases. “Is my rain jacket in your bag?”
“I think so.”
Seconds later, I hear a snort of laughter. “Oh my God, Brady.” She turns around, holding my baseball glove in her hand. “Seriously? You brought your glove?”
I shrug. “What?”
Sage just rolls her eyes. “We’re in England, Brady. Are you planning to play catch in front of Buckingham Palace?”
“If I can get one of the guards with the fuzzy hats to join me, sure. Why not?”
“First of all, I think that might be some major faux pas to even talk about. They’ve got some crazy strict rules. Second of all, do the Brits even know what baseball is?”
I pretend to act wounded. “Of course, they do. Baseball is universal.”
Sage giggles again, then returns my glove to the bag and grabs her rain jacket instead. “Okay, let’s go and explore.”
Hand in hand, we set off from the elegant hotel we managed to score one hell of a deal to stay at. The classic brick facade and tall white columns that bracket theentrance made Sage gasp with delight when we arrived yesterday evening.
For the next few hours, we just wander, exploring different parts of the city. The air is crisp, with the last of the autumn leaves falling around us. There’s no real plan for today, except for my end game. We grab coffee and pastries at a bakery close to the hotel and walk to Buckingham Palace to see the famous guards.
Then we hop on a bright red double-decker bus for a quick tour. Sage’s smile never fades as she sees the city she’s dreamed of for so long, at last.
After lunch at a pub, I know it’s finally time. Trying to not be obvious about it, I casually guide us toward the river’s edge.
“Do you want to ride that?” I ask Sage, gesturing toward the towering London Eye, which if you ask me, is just a Ferris wheel on steroids.
“Nah, not today, too jet-lagged,” she replies, followed by a big yawn. “Let’s just take it easy.”
She nestles into my side and I kiss the top of her head as we continue our stroll. With it being late October, the city isn’t as packed with tourists as I imagine it can be.
“I still can’t believe I’m finally here,” Sage says softly when we come to a stop at Westminster Bridge. Big Ben’s clock face stands in front of us. I know we’re meant to admire it. But honestly? It’s a clock. My attention is on the stunning woman beside me. And the question I’m about to ask.
“I’m happy we’re here, too.”
“My mom would’ve loved this so much.” Sage turns her face up to look at me. “She would’ve loved you.”
My thumb draws circles on her shoulder as I dip my head down and kiss her. There are no words to say. This trip is as much for us as it is for Sage’s mom, who never got to be here with her daughter.
I can only hope she approves of what I’ve got planned next.
The weather cooperates, with the golden glow of the sun illuminating the city, as we lean against the railing of the bridge, looking out over the water.
Sage pulls out her phone to take yet another photo, and I know this is the moment. I step back and drop down to one knee.
“Sage.”
She turns, and the second she sees the ring in my outstretched fingers, she gasps, covering her mouth with her hand that’s still clutching her phone.
