Page 50 of Dare to Hold (Dare To Love #1)

By the time I meet everyone and we all gather in the dining room, it’s a sea of folding chairs, mismatched plates, and homemade name tags scrawled in crayon. Ivy squeezes in next to me, her shoulder pressed to mine as the food makes its way to the table.

I rise slowly from my seat, Ivy’s eyes flicking up to mine with a questioning smile. “Before we dig in,” I say, voice steady, “if it’s okay, I’d be honored to lead us in prayer.”

Everyone quiets, eyes on me. I glance at Ivy—she nods, steady and encouraging.

I stand slowly and clear my throat. “Lord,” I begin, voice low but firm, “thank You for this day. For this family. For joy that spills over, and for love that fills every corner of this house.”

I pause, heart tightening. “Thank You for the grace that meets us where we are, for the peace You offer even in the unknown. And thank You…for Ivy, and her wonderful fa mily.”

I glance at her again, and she’s already looking at me with a softness I’ll never get over.

“In Jesus’s name, amen.”

“Amen!” echoes around the table, followed by applause, laughter, and a chorus of “Let’s eat!”

And as the plates are passed, kids yell for rolls, and conversations bloom around the table, I take a moment to look around.

This isn’t just Ivy’s world.

It’s a world I want to be part of.

The noise of the house fades into the background as I step onto the back porch, the screen door creaking behind me. The late afternoon sun hangs low, spilling gold across the yard, and the air has that November bite—just chilly enough to make me wish I’d grabbed a hoodie.

I press a hand to my stomach with a laugh. I’m so full I’m not sure I’ll ever eat again. Inside, the clatter of cards hitting the kitchen table carries through the open window—everyone diving into a game, laughter and voices overlapping in a rhythm I’m still learning to keep up with.

I needed a breather. Not in a bad way—just long enough to catch up on all the love.

Because the truth is, I’ve never had this much.

Never had a table packed shoulder-to-shoulder, never had cousins fighting over dessert, never had a family so loud and alive it spills into every corner.

And standing here, watching the sky fade toward evening, it hits me how much I’ve yearned for this. Not just the noise, but the belonging .

I exhale slowly, letting the crisp air fill my lungs, my heart aching in the best possible way.

The door creaks again. Ivy’s dad steps out, two mugs in hand.

“Figured you could use a drink,” he says, offering me one. “It’s decaf. Don’t worry, I’m not trying to sabotage your sleep.”

I laugh, accepting the cup. “Thanks, sir.”

He chuckles, joining me at the railing. “You can call me David, you know. Or whatever feels right.”

“David,” I repeat, nodding. “Thank you—for having me today. This…all of this…means more than I can say.”

He watches me for a second, like he’s seeing past the words. “Ivy called us the day she met you.”

That catches me off guard. “She did?”

He smiles, eyes softening. “Said she met someone different. Someone kind. She didn’t give a lot of details but I could tell something shifted in her. She sounded...hopeful.”

A lump catches in my throat. I stare down into my mug, blinking hard. “I didn’t know she told you that.”

“She’s told us a lot about you, son,” he says gently. “Before the break. During it.”

That undoing feeling returns—chest tight, vision blurry. I grip the railing a little harder. “I’ve never had a family like this,” I admit, my voice low and rough. “I never knew my dad. My mom…she tried, but she was battling demons of her own. It’s always just kind of been me.”

David nods slowly. “That’s a heavy load to carry.”

I nod. “And I know we haven’t known each other long, but…just being here today, seeing this—what family can look like—something in me…” I pause, trying to get the words right. “One day, I want to build something like this. And when the time’s right, when God makes it clear…I hope it’s with Ivy.”

He studies me for a moment, not speaking right away. Then he sets his mug down and extends his hand. “You’ve got my blessing, Gray. Not because of what you’ve said, but because of the way you’ve waited. The way you’ve honored her. That tells me more than any speech ever could.”

My breath catches as I shake his hand, both of us gripping tight.

“I’m not asking yet, but soon.” I say, managing a shaky smile. “Not rushing anything. I just…wanted you to know my heart.”

He nods, but then his expression softens even more, eyes glistening in the low light of the porch. “And now I do. But I want you to know something too.”

I blink, caught off guard by the tenderness in his voice.

He clears his throat, glancing back toward the house where laughter drifts through the window.

“After Ivy told us about what God was doing in her life—about how you pointed her to Him, her mom and I started going to the local church. At first, just out of curiosity. But…it changed us, Gray. It changed me. Our marriage, my heart—all of it’s different now. Because you came into her life.”

The weight of his words hits me like a wave. My throat tightens, emotion burning behind my eyes.

“I didn’t do that,” I finally manage, voice low, a little unsteady. “God did. I’m just…grateful He let me be part of it.”

He smiles, gripping my shoulder. “Well, I’m grateful too. More than you know.”

I nod, feeling the gravity of it all, the blessing, the impact, the promise I’ve made without even needing to say the words .

We stand there in quiet for a beat—two men from different worlds, joined by love for the same girl and the God who brought her home.

The door creaks open behind us, and Ivy steps onto the porch, arms wrapped around herself for warmth. Her eyes land on the two of us and she tilts her head, curious. “What are you two talking about?”

David glances at me, then back at her with a soft smile. “Just talking about how lucky Gray is,” he says, giving her a wink.

Ivy blushes, stepping closer as her dad pats me on the shoulder. “You’re a good man, Gray. We’re glad you’re here.”

“Thank you, sir,” I say, the words feeling heavier than they sound.

He slips back inside, leaving the door slightly ajar, and Ivy moves to lean beside me at the railing. The moment stretches, soft and full.

“I feel bad,” she says softly. “Dragging you into my loud, chaotic family like this.”

I turn to her, shaking my head. “Ivy… I’ve never wanted anything more. This chaos? This love? It’s the best thing that’s ever happened to me.”

Her breath catches before she leans in, her forehead pressing to mine. “You really mean that?”

“Every word.” I kiss her slow, savoring it, and when she pulls back she’s smiling through the shimmer in her eyes.

“Best. Chaos. Ever.”

I lean in, brushing my nose against hers. “I love you Ivy.”

And right there, in Ashen Mills, outside of a house full of love, it feels like everything that’s ever hurt in both of us is finally starting to heal.