A voice to the left startled me. “I saw the whole thing. Mr. Callaghan is telling the truth. He slipped the first time, accidentally hitting Mr. Nolan, and Mr. Nolan stumbled afterward.”
I gaped at Simon.
Why was he here?
Nolan glared at him. “You’re fired.”
Simon waved him off. “I quit this morning. I can take a lot of things, but I won’t work for a man who would try to take away a woman’s daughter.” He turned to me. “I came down to offer my support, Van. Looks as if I got here just at the right time.” He straightened his shoulders. “I’ll testify if I have to.”
Aiden nodded. “Thanks.”
“Me too.” I offered.
Nolan struggled to his feet, wiping his mouth, glowering at Simon. “You’ll never work in this town again.”
Aiden tilted his head. “I wouldn’t be so sure of that.”
Nolan spun on his heel, stalking away. The security guard looked at us and walked away with a shrug. I tried not to chuckle. He looked about sixteen and not equipped to handle spilled milk, much less break up a fight.
“Aiden,” I began.
He waved off my words. “Go get your girl. I hafta call Bent and break it to him. He’s gonna yell. And he is gonna make me pay for breaking the contract.” He grinned. “But man, so worth it. It felt good. I didn’t like that scumbag.” He clapped Simon on the shoulder. “I might be looking for a smart man to head up a current project working with Van. I heard you’re a hard worker. I’ll need a crew immediately. Know anyone?”
They walked away, and I hurried inside and up the stairs. Liv sat in the hall, Hal standing next to her. He was leaning down, talking, when they heard me approach. Liv was out of the chair, running toward me. I caught her in my arms, letting her sob into my chest. She was shaking with relief, the adrenaline rush hitting her hard.
I looked at Hal, who followed her.
“It’s over, Van. No reinstatement of rights. The judge was very clear. Nolan couldn’t disprove his own words. He doesn’t have a snowball’s chance in hell now, next week, or next year. We’ve shut him down.”
Keeping one arm around Liv, I offered him the other hand. “Thank you,” I said, the only words I was able to push through the tightness of my throat.
He shook my hand. “Let me know when you want to proceed with the other matter we discussed. I’ll do it pro bono. Consider it a gift.” He smirked. “I heard a bit of commotion happened outside. Everything all right?”
“Yep. It’s all good.”
He winked. “I’ll be in touch.”
I encased Liv back in my embrace.
“We got her, Liv. Our girl is safe and staying with us.”
She lifted her face, relief and happiness radiating from her eyes. It had been so long since I had seen her beautiful eyes shine at me that way.
“I need to see her.”
I wiped the tears from her face. “No more crying. It’s over. He can’t touch her or you.”
“I know.”
I held out my hand. “Come on, Livvy. I’ll take you to her. Everyone will want to celebrate, then we’re going home and having a celebration of our own.”
She spoke as we headed to the stairs. “I guess we can go back home now. To the apartment”
I stopped and looked at her. “The apartment isn’t your home. You’re already there. With me.”
“What are you saying?”
A conference room emptied out, the hallway getting busier. I stepped closer to her as people jostled and hurried by, not paying any attention to us.
I wrapped my arm around her waist. “Stay, Liv. You and Mouse. Stay with me. You’ve made the house a home, and if you go, it’ll be empty again. I’ll be empty.”
Her eyes grew big. They became nervous, but then she smiled. “You want us? You really want us?”
“Forever.”
“Okay, then.”
I picked her up, holding her tight. “Okay, then.”
“Mr. Van, can we do this every night?” Mouse asked, grinning widely. Marshmallow and chocolate stuck to her face, bits of graham crackers littered down the front of her shirt.
I chuckled and slid another marshmallow between two crackers, offering it to Liv. She preferred it without chocolate. Although, I informed her quite sternly, then it was no longer a s’more.
But she could have it anyway she wanted as long as she looked the way she did tonight. It was amazing what a couple of nights rest and the absence of stress could do for a person.
She was happy, smiling. Relaxed.
Finally.
Sandwiched between her and Sammy, I was more content than I thought possible.
“It’s only for special occasions, Mouse.”
Her frown disappeared as I handed her another treat.
“Besides, you don’t have an outdoor fireplace at your apartment.” I pointed out.
“Oh.” Her frown returned.
I set down my skewer and tapped my chin. “Unless…”
Her eyes grew round with anticipation. Her mouth opened in a big O, waiting for my next words.
“Unless you and Mommy wanted to live here—with me.”
She blinked. Looked at Liv then back at me. Her voice quivered. “Forever?”
I pulled a small box from my pocket and opened the lid. A tiny ring sat inside, the world’s smallest diamond twinkling in the light. “If I give you this ring and you say yes, it’s forever, Mouse.”
Sammy squealed, and no matter how often it happened, or how much I braced myself for it, I was never ready. My eardrums shuddered with the sound. But her little arms around my neck and her excited kisses on my face made up for it. Liv watched us with an indulgent look on her face.
“Really?” Mouse cried. “We can live here with you? Like a family?”
I set her on my knee, facing Liv. “Yes, I want you and your mommy to live here with me and be a family.” I drew in a deep breath. “My family.”
“Can we, Mommy?”
“Yeah, baby. If that’s okay with you.”
Sammy looked up at me, her dark eyes pleading. “Can I call you something besides Mr. Van?”
I ran a hand through her hair. “Sure, Mouse. You want to try just Van?”
She shook her head. “Can I—can I call you Daddy?”
My gaze flew to Liv’s. Her eyes widened, but before she could speak, I did. Mouse had given me the perfect segue.
“I’d like that, Mouse, but on one condition.”
She frowned. “I don’t know what that is.”
I chuckled. “It means, if you call me Daddy, then Mommy—” I pulled out another small box, extending it toward Liv “—has to call me husband.”
I barely noticed Mouse’s squeal this time. All my attention was on Liv. Her gaze went from the box to my face, then back to the box. Her hands clasped at her chest and her mouth opened, but no sound came out.
I leaned close. “I love you Olivia Rourke. I love Samantha. Let’s move on from the past of being alone and live life together. As a real family.” I reached out and cupped her cheek. “Accept my ring, Liv. Accept me. Live with me and be mine.”
For a brief moment, there was silence, then she said the best word in the world.