“In, if that’s okay. I’m tired tonight.” You can see the exhaustion on Jennifer’s face. I’m sure the anxiety of traveling on a plane for the first time and the overwhelming atmosphere of New York City has her beat. We’ll take her out another night since she’s staying with us for a week.
Of course, Jennifer is staying with us at the condo. There is no way I could put her up in a hotel in New York City. Tony delivered all of Jennifer’s luggage to the condo while we celebrated at the office. I can tell all of this is overwhelming to Jennifer as I’m sure it was to Gracie when she first moved here.
Gracie smiles understandingly. “I’m always tired. Drew has a list of restaurants on speed dial. Pick your poison: Italian, pizza, Thai, Indian, Mexican—”
“New York pizza,” Jennifer says quickly, and we all laugh.
“New York pizza it is,” I tell her. She reminds me so much of Grace, easy to please.
Tony delivers us to the condo and Gracie gets her mom set up in one of the guest rooms before showing her around the place. She’s as overwhelmed by the condo as Gracie was at first, but I can tell she’s happy that Gracie is comfortable here. So am I.
I order pizza and salads and get the table set. The women join me in the kitchen and Jennifer pulls me into a hug. “Thank you for taking such good care of her.” Her eyes are misty and her cheeks are flushed.
“I always will,” I tell her and release her. She’s smiles knowingly.
Our pizza arrives and we eat and laugh and I can’t help but smile as the two of them share stories and reconnect. Visiting in person is always better than over the phone, and I can’t help but admire the striking resemblance between Jennifer and Gracie. The dark hair, the hazel eyes, the slightly crooked smile. My heart is content knowing how happy Gracie is having her mom here with us.
I clean up while Gracie gets her mom settled in the guest room for the night. She shows her how to work the shower and how to make coffee in the morning if she’s up before us. Apparently, Jennifer is an early riser.
Just as I finish loading the dishes in the dishwasher and putting the leftover pizza in the refrigerator, I feel two arms wrap around my waist from behind.
“Thank you.” She sighs, her cheek pressed to my back. “Best surprise ever.”
I twist in her arms so I’m facing her and press a kiss to her soft lips. “You’re welcome.” Reaching over, I shut off the kitchen lights and guide Gracie down the hallway to our bedroom.
She changes and disappears into the bathroom to brush her teeth and wash her face. When she finally emerges from behind the door, she looks more beautiful than I’ve ever seen her. Her dark hair is all twisted on top on top of her head and her satin nightie hugging all of her curves. This is when she’s most beautiful.
“Come here.” I reach for her hand and pull her out the French doors onto the terrace. Under the stars, hidden by the city lights of New York City, I pull Gracie into my arms.
“What are we doing? It’s freezing out here.” She laughs, wrapping her arms around my neck.
My stomach twists in anticipation and my heart races in excitement. “Gracie Lynn Morgan,” I pause, my throat tightening up. From the day I saw Gracie sitting in that bar, I knew I had to have her. Our love story isn’t typical, but it’s ours and I wouldn’t change a thing.
As we move into the next chapter of our lives, I can’t wait to show her what kind of father I’m going to be. The best kind, the kind that will do anything for his family. “There is nothing in this world that I love more than you and that little peanut you’re growing in your belly.” I reach for her arms and unwrap them from my neck. Pulling the little velvet box from my pocket, I drop to one knee before her and look up into the most beautiful hazel eyes I’ve ever seen. “Marry me? Love me for the rest of your life.”
Her hands shake as she covers her mouth in surprise and nods frantically. “Yes! Yes!” she cries and laughs, dropping to her knees in front of me.
I open the ring box and pull out a two-carat princess-cut diamond wrapped in a vintage white gold band. I pull the ring from the box and slide it onto her ring finger. This is how I want our life to be: happy, peaceful, and simple. Just like Grace.