Page 81

“Oh, wait.” I release her and pull my old, tattered wallet out of my back pocket. I’ve carried this thing since college and Lord knows it’s seen better days. But I’ve never been able to part with it. I dig into an inside pocket until I find the small envelope I’m looking for. When Jessica sees it she narrows her eyes in confusion.

“What’s that?” she asks.

“I’ve carried this around with me for years, never once taking it out of my wallet.” I look up at her and smile. “This carries the lock of your hair that I cut that last night we spent together before we left for college.” I slip out the light blonde lock, held together by a small rubber band. She takes it into her hand and smiles.

“I can’t believe you kept this.” With tears in her eyes, she leans forward and kisses me.

“That’s not all that’s inside here.” I take her hand and turn it so her palm is up. Lifting the envelope, I dump the contents into her hand. The solitary diamond in a platinum setting tumbles out. She gasps. “This is the ring I bought when I planned to propose after your graduation. I kept it with me always because … Well, it made me feel close to you even when you weren’t near. And I guess I always hoped this day would come, and I wanted to be prepared.”

I lift her hand and slide the ring on. It’s a perfect fit. When I look up at her, tears are streaming down her cheeks. “I’ve dreamed of seeing this on your finger ever since.”

She lets out a sob before she wraps her arms around my neck and presses her lips to mine. “I can’t believe you kept this.”

“Always, baby. I may have lost my way for a few years, but my heart and soul has always belonged to you.” I lift her into my arms and swing her around. I kiss her like it’s our first, last, and every kiss we’ll share in between. Slow. Passionate. Loving.

“Daddy?” I break away from Jessica and my eyes immediately land on Emmie. She’s standing about five feet away from us with a worried look on her face.

My eyes shift up and my entire family is now gathered in the living room. My brothers are wearing grins and every woman in the room is crying.

“Well, so much for privacy.” I chuckle.

“Why is Jessica crying?” Emmie’s concerned voice draws my eyes back to her. I crouch down and wave her over.

I look up at Jessica and she wipes her face dry with a smile. I take her hand in mine—the one I just put a ring on—and give it a kiss. I pull Emmie into my arms and give her a hug. “These are happy tears, sweetheart.” She looks at me like she’s not convinced. “I just asked Jessica to be my wife.”

Jessica crouches down next to us and focuses on Emmie. “And I said yes. I hope you’re okay with me marrying your dad. Nothing would make me happier than to become a permanent part of your family.”

Emmie’s concern fades and a smile covers her face. “Does this mean I can call you Mommy?”

We both laugh, and more tears well up in Jessica’s eyes. “That would make me so happy.”

Emmie jumps out of my arms and into Jessica’s. My girls hug and cry and laugh. I wrap my arms around both of them, struggling to fight back my own tears.

“Oh, Lord in heaven. It is about time.” Momma tosses her hands in the air with the biggest smile I’ve seen on her face in years. A series of congratulations and cheers fills the room.

I thought I was happy before Jessica agreed to be my wife, but I was wrong. I didn’t know what true happiness was until this moment when my family became complete.