“Sure, what’s up?” She kept hold of the gift and shoved her sunglasses into her hair to look her son in the eyes in case this was a serious question.
Levi scratched his chin, pursing his lips as if he was toying with how to share what was on his mind, a look she knew all too well from him. “Do you think you can get me into McKenna’s new private school too? I was thinking it’d be better if we all go to school there.”
“Don’t you love your school in Arlington?”
“I only go there because of your job. So I can be right by Dad’s,” he reminded her. “But if you and Beckett are planning to live together, then I’ll have him if you’re traveling. I think it’s best if I’m in school with McKenna and Miles to keep an eye on them. Plus, McKenna’s a young thirteen for high school like I was this past year. She could use a big-brother type watching out for her.”
“Levi.” God, her son was so sweet. “But what about Lucy? Sure, you can see her anytime, and she lives near your dad’s place when you’re there, but I—”
“I feel bad about this, but we broke up. Last night over the phone. I should’ve waited and done it at home, I suppose. But how can I date her when I’m thinking about someone else?”
“What? You broke up?” She almost dropped the gift. And yet, he seemed completely okay. “Wait, who are you thinking about?” And why did his words remind her of something Beckett had said back at that bungalow in Mexico. He hadn’t gone home with his date from Savanna and Griffin’s wedding because he’d been thinking about Sydney. “It’s not McKenna, right?” Her eyes widened, a wave of panic about to set in.
“Whiskey-tango-foxtrot, Mom. No, just no.” Levi shook his head. “I’ve always wanted a sister, and if you and Beckett become family, like, on a permanent basis, I think it’d be awesome to have her in only that way.”
“Phew.” She let go of a sigh. “Okay, then who?”
“Don’t worry about it.” He smiled. “So, will you try and get me into the school?”
“I won’t have to try. I can get you in, no problem. I’ll have to ask Seth first, but if it’s what you want, he’ll be on board.”
“It’s what I want.” Levi tossed a look toward Miles and then over to McKenna. “I always wanted a big family.” He returned his focus to her. “Thanks, Mom.”
She shielded her eyes with her glasses before she ruined her mascara with tears. Levi was already on the move when Beckett yelled, “Go long,” and Levi made the catch.
“McKenna,” she called out once she managed to move again. “I have something for you, and since you’re eyeing the archery targets, you probably know why I asked you to meet me here.”
McKenna accepted the gift with a broad smile and opened the box.
“I had it custom-made for you. It’s a starter bow, and we can upgrade you if you enjoy archery and want to—”
“I love it!” McKenna nearly smashed the gift box between them when she went in for a hug. “You’ll teach me to be a badass like you, right?” She slapped her free hand over her mouth. “Sorry. Language.”
“It’s okay. And yes, I will absolutely teach you to be a badass archer.” Sydney’s heart squeezed as she went through the motions of helping McKenna set up and frame her stance. “My grandfather taught me right here when I was young. I’m honored to have a . . .” Daughter? Not officially, true. And maybe she and Beckett were still in the dating phase, but her gut told her everything would work out. That McKenna would become her daughter one day. And Miles her son. “I’m happy to pass down this tradition to you.”
“Thank you.” McKenna nodded with tears in her eyes. She shook them free and declared, “Okay, let’s do this.”
After an hour, McKenna really had the hang of it. Beckett and Levi had gathered to watch McKenna send arrow after arrow. And once Miles awoke, Beckett brought him over to watch as well.
“You’re a natural, sweetie,” Beckett said to McKenna, who looked to Sydney and declared, “I want to be like you when I’m older.”
“Well,” Sydney said, too choked up to manage anything else.
“She’s kinda cool, right?” Levi smirked, coming in for the save.
“That she is.” Beckett hooked his arm around Sydney, pulling her to his side as Miles chased the cat, and Levi took over for Sydney in helping McKenna learn.
Was this what it felt like to be part of a family? She didn’t remember having such a complete feeling when she was with Seth. Not ever. And her parents weren’t the warmest of people. In a matter of weeks, Beckett had changed her whole life.
“Dad, I think you should go ahead and do the thing,” McKenna said about ten minutes later, and Beckett slapped his free hand to his chest as if he were choking on the fresh air.
“What thing?” Sydney quirked a brow and turned toward him.
“The thing,” McKenna said with an exaggerated nod. Yeah, she’d get along well with Levi, that was for sure.
“Well, um, McKenna thinks this house,” Beckett began, pointing toward the massive gray-brick mansion in the distance, “is like a castle.”
“And you’re the princess of the palace,” McKenna spoke up, rolling her wrist and twirling her finger like an urgent reminder to remember his lines. “And he should be your prince,” McKenna went ahead and said. “What do you think?”
Sydney chuckled and played along. “I mean, sure, that works for me. But does that make you kids the mice? And which one of you will turn into the pumpkin?”
Beckett scrubbed a hand down his face, then looked up at the sky for a moment before returning his focus to her. “How about we do this my way?” He peeked at McKenna, and she smiled, then he shoved his sunglasses into his hair. “I’m old fashioned, what can I say?” He slid his hand into his pocket, then lowered to one knee.
Oh my God.
“Sydney, I’d be honored if you’d spend your life with me as my wife,” Beckett began, his voice rough with emotion. “It’s fast, I know. But will you marry me?”
Sydney glanced at her son. Based on the huge smile on his face, she had a feeling he already knew this was going to happen. Because, of course, a man like Beckett would ask him first.
And oh wow, this is real. “Absolutely,” she whispered when finding Beckett’s eyes again. “Yes.” She dropped to her knees, and he slid the simple but perfect solitaire diamond, set in a thin white gold band, onto her ring finger.
He brought his lips to hers and kissed the hell out of her as the kids cheered. “I love you,” he said. “I think I skipped that part. A little nervous.”
Right. They’d never even said that before. “I love you too,” she cried before kissing him again, doing her best to keep it PG-13 given the audience.
Beckett helped her to her feet and kissed her once more.
“This is why you were almost late for the airport last week?”
He nodded. “I already had the ring. Bought it in Bama before my birthday. Levi had to use his stealth skills and help me get your ring size, so I was waiting for it to come back from the jeweler. Almost didn’t get it before our flight.”