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It was a mug. Nothing extravagant. Nothing that couldn’t be purchased at a gas station. Simple white ceramic with black lettering. World’s Best Dad.
He stared at the mug, his jaw working, his eyes suspiciously bright.
“I know it’s cheesy,” I said. “But I saw it and I thought you needed one.”
“It’s perfect.” His voice was rough. When he looked up at me, there were actual tears in his eyes. Jeremy Blackwell, the man who charmed his way through life with easy smiles and effortless confidence, was crying over a mug.
“I’m going to be a dad,” he said, like it was just hitting him. The reality of it was finally sinking in. “We’re going to have a baby.”
“We are.” I reached over and cupped his cheek. “And you’re going to be incredible at it.”
He moved close and hugged me.
“I love you,” he whispered against my hair. “I love you so much.”
“I love you too.”
He pulled back and suddenly looked nervous. Jeremy didn’t get nervous. He was the most confident person I’d ever met.
“Actually,” he said, “I have one more gift for you too.”
“Jeremy, you’ve already given me too much.”
“This one’s different.” He stood up and walked to the tree, reaching for one of the thousand ornaments. The ornament was large and then, to my surprise, he opened it and pulled out a small velvet box.
My heart stopped.
He came back to the couch and knelt in front of me on one knee. The velvet box sat in his palm. He opened it and I forgot how to breathe.
The ring was stunning. A cushion-cut diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller stones, set in a platinum band. It caught the light from the tree and the fire, making it appear to be glowing.
“Lucy Hawthorne,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “I spent years not knowing what I wanted. I dated women who didn’t challenge me and lived a life that looked good on paper but felt empty inside. And then there was you. Right in front of me the whole time. The woman who pushed me to be better. You saw through all the charm and the image and actually liked the person underneath.”
I cried. Of course. The tears streamed down my face. I couldn’t have stopped them if I tried.
“I don’t want to spend another day without knowing that you’re mine,” he continued. “Not just my partner and the mother of my child, but my wife. I want to build a life with you. I want to raise our baby together and maybe have a few more after that. I want to grow old with you and still be making you laugh when I’m bald and you’re gray. When we need canes to get around and our grandchildren make fun of us about being old.”
I laughed through my tears. That sounded exactly like us.
“So, Lucy.” He took my hand, his thumb brushing across my knuckles. “Will you marry me?”
“Yes!” The word exploded out of me. “Yes, absolutely yes.”
He slid the ring onto my finger. It fit perfectly. He’d probably measured my finger while I was sleeping, the sneaky bastard.
He scooted closer and kissed me. It was messy and beautiful and so much more than I could have ever expected.
A couple hours later, I wore my new sweater and boots for our Christmas dinner plans. Jeremy wore the watch I gave him. And of course, the ring on my finger. I kept looking at it, hardly believing it was real. I was engaged. To Jeremy Blackwell.
Life was strange and wonderful and terrifying all at once.
When Jeremy helped me out of the car, the first thing I heard was Jingle Bells from outdoor speakers. The landscaping was decked out in Christmas cheer. I could see not one, but two gorgeous trees lit up in the den window and another in the living room. The Blackwells did not do anything halfway, Christmas included.
Tiana greeted us at the door, pulling me into a hug. “Merry Christmas! How are you feeling? Is the morning sickness getting any better?”
“Much better,” I assured her. “The ginger tea you recommended has been a lifesaver.”
“Good, good.” She ushered us inside, where the rest of the family was already gathered. The house smelled like apple and cinnamon and roasting turkey. Children ran around with new toys. The adults were scattered across various rooms, drinks in hand, catching up and laughing.
