Page 119 of Better Daddy

Honestly, the fresh air sounds like a great idea. It would feel good to stretch out my legs and act like a human again.

I smile. “Sounds perfect. After I feed her, I’ll put her down for a nap and take a shower. Then I can feed her again before we get in the car. With any luck, she won’t fuss too much.”

Sully presses a kiss to Tia’s head. “My love would never.”

I laugh. Right. The girl already has her daddy wrapped around her finger.

Three feedings—and diaper changes—later, we’vefinally unloaded the carriage from the back of our new SUV, and T.J. is bouncing with unrestrained energy, ready to rush to the swings.

“Let’s have lunch first,” Sully tells him, carrying a cooler that he must have packed during one of Tia’s many feedings. Thank God for that too, because now that I think about it, I’m starving.

“But I want to take a swan ride after lunch,” T.J. says. It’s something I’ve always wanted to try, but T.J. used to scream if we brought him anywhere near them, so I’m shocked that he’s asking to go on one.

“Hey, bud. Let’s eat first. Then you can pick what you want to do.”

T.J. huffs like a bull and stomps his foot, but with one look from Sully, he straightens.

That reaction is just as shocking. Our strong-willed boy rarely listens that quickly.

Sully guides us to an area surrounded by large sycamore trees with enough shade to lay out a blanket. Once I’m seated, he scoops Tia out of her stroller and sets her in my lap. “I’ll get the food set up, and then I’ll take her so you can eat.”

I keep my eyes on T.J. as he runs between trees, chasing after a chipmunk, so I don’t notice that Sully’s returned with our food until he clears his throat.

He’s kneeling beside me, a little closer than I expect, when I turn toward the sound.

Kneeling… on one knee.

And between two fingers, he holds a gorgeous diamond ring.

My throat grows tight at the expression on his face. So hopeful and loving.

“Sully.” His name is a breath on my lips. An answered prayer.

He smiles. “Sweetheart, I have loved you for nearly two decades. We’ve been through it these past few years, and I can’t begin to explain how grateful I am that you’re giving me this second chance. You’ve given me two beautiful children and more love and happiness than I deserve.”

Tears quickly form and flow down my cheeks. “You deserve all the happiness.”

Angling in, he swipes at the tears.

I don’t mind them one bit. These are tears of joy. We’ve earned them.

“The last time I did this, I was full of ideas. I thought I knew precisely what I was signing up for. Promising to love you for the rest of my life was as easy as promising to breathe.”

Tia squirms, her face scrunching up, and lets out the tiniest wail.

Sully rubs her head softly, and when she settles, he takes a deep breath. “But the truth is, I didn’t understand that loving you is only part of this promise. Because love is an action, not just a feeling.”

I nod. God, he’s got it all right.

“So today I’m not just promising to love you for the rest of our lives. I promise to show up. I promise to be present. I promise to hold you and talk to you and have fun with you.” He smiles, and then, in a low whisper, like he’s nervous Tia will understand, he adds, “And find random closets where I can fuck you.”

I cough out a laugh. “Yes. Yes, to all of that.”

He grins. “I haven’t finished.”

With a roll of my eyes, I huff, but I nod for him to continue.

“And I promise to be there for our children. I promise to make time for all of us. To put us first, always.”