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I know, you’re shocked. I slipped the pregnancy in there, didn’t I?

Had to. It slipped in on us too.

There’s a knock at the door, soft and subtle and Ridge asks, “You okay?”

“Yeah. Be out in a minute.” I brush my teeth, run water over my face and then step out to find Ridge leaning into the wall, his arms crossed over his chest.

He’s smiling, but there’s concern in his features. “How long does morning sickness last?”

I breathe out slowly, shaky, nervous. . . and then lean into the wall across from him, my hands flat against the wall. I think about the papers, and I don’t ask him about the grant deed. I know why he did it. “Usually the first trimester but with the boys, I was sick through the whole pregnancy,” I answer, falling deeper in love with him.

A smile tugs at the corners of his mouth. He steps forward, closing the distance between us. His left hand rests on my hip, then trails across my stomach. I’m not showing yet, I’m only ten weeks, but it doesn’t stop Ridge’s newfound obsession with the life growing inside of me. Life he had a hand in and would no doubt be a part of.

His head dips forward, lips teasing at my ear. “Can we tell the boys tonight?”

Our plan was to wait and tell them Christmas morning, but patience has never been Ridge’s strong suit. “If you want to.”

He draws back. “I want to now.” And then he marches down the hall, and I’m thinking he’s going to tell them himself.

I follow him, and when I enter the living room, he’s on the couch with both boys, one on each side of him. Ridge’s holding a card in his hand.

I eye the three of them suspiciously. “What are you guys up to?”

The boys giggle, and Ridge hands the card to me. No words. Just smiles from boys withholding secrets.

Taking the card in my hands, I run my fingers of the construction paper they used, breathing in slow breaths of courage not to burst into tears just yet. I open it to find a handwritten note from the boys and a ring taped to it.

I laugh, but underneath Grady’s note is one from Cash saying: No I Don’t!!!

Tears burn my eyes and nose. There’s even a check yes or no box.

I look up at Ridge. He’s full of surprises today. “Do you have a pen?” I ask, tears released.

He winks and pulls a red crayon from his pocket. “I do.”

Do you notice the way he saysI do?”

Me, too.

Taking the red crayon from him, warm fingertips brush mine in the exchange, his heat undeniable. There’s nothing cold about this man.

My eyes drift to Cash first. His expressions hopeful, his demeanor almost giddy. He winks at me; a gesture he’s learnt from Ridge. It’s his okay. His approval.

I move my fingertips over the simple diamond ring and then look to Grady, who’s standing now, his hands on Ridge’s shoulder, his excitement unable to be contained as he jumps around. “Say yes, Mom. Say yes!”

Taking the crayon between my fingers, my eyes meet Ridge’s as I check the box. His breath draws in, as though he’s waiting on my answer for his next breath.

Handing it back to him, Ridge leans forward, taking it from me. His lids lower to my answer.

I watch his chest move, his exhale, his relief.

He nods, his jaw tense, and I notice his hands are shaking. I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking.

Scooting forward on the couch, he kneels in front of me and takes the ring from the card, placing it on my finger. Leaning in, he holds my gaze and hand. “This one stays forever.” And then he presses his lips to mine.

Did you burst into tears yet? I nearly do.

“Did she check yes?” Grady asks, reaching for the card.