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E lla tied the bows on Mia’s sundress, lifted the newly walking toddler down from the changing table, and took her tiny upstretched hand. But before Ella could nab Mia’s hat from the bureau, the little girl was off, gorgeous curls bobbing, headed for the door and back to the party.

“Whoa there.” Leo blocked his daughter’s way. “What’s your hurry?”

“Dada.” Mia greeted him, but intent on rejoining the fun she’d been forced to leave temporarily in order to have her diaper changed, she kept her desired trajectory.

“She’s in a hurry,” Ella told Leo needlessly.

“I can see.” He took Mia’s other hand and together the three of them started down the stairs and outside to join the entire Halligan family and most of the crew from the Lazy H along with a few extras who were quickly becoming part of the same.

Doreen and Liberty were seated side-by-side and chatting with Melanie and Evie.

Several other small clutches of replete people sat sipping on beers or non-alcoholic beverages and chatting.

The group that drew her attention consisted of JD, Nash, her father, and Alicia.

The impromptu party had been arranged to celebrate Ella’s legal adoption of Benny.

As well as a little something the guests didn’t yet know about.

Mia pulled free and giving up her slow progress, she race-crawled across the grass to join Benny and Ruby, who was sitting in the lee of her mother’s legs, giggling as Mia almost faceplanted into Joey’s shins. Thankfully Joey’s reflexes were well honed and she caught her niece before she connected.

“Whoops.” Joey laughed, as she lifted Mia upright to stand on her pretty white shoes.

“She’s still reverts to crawling when she’s in hurry, and she’s not used to walking in shoes.” Leo explained to his sister.

“Well Miss Mia, you’d best get used to it, shoes are a girl’s biggest weakness.” Nash wandered over to join his fiancée and his own baby girl.

“Mia isn’t going to be worried about shoes, or fashion. She’s going to be a cowgirl, aren’t you, my cherub?” Leo swooped in and picked up a delighted Mia who squealed as he tossed her up and caught her again.

Before he’d lowered her to the ground, Benny was tugging at his denim-clad leg. “My turn, Dada.”

Leo didn’t hesitate, he just made sure Mia was steady before he turned, lifted a much bigger Benny, and tossed him up.

Ella’s heart ached with a bittersweet mix of happiness and sorrow.

Neither Benny nor Mia would ever know their respective missing parents, but they would know love and acceptance in this big Halligan family.

They would grow up secure in the knowledge that those missing parents had entrusted their welfare to the people who they knew would love and protect them with the very lives.

And she and Leo had learned that they could trust everything to each other.

And, that their new secret was one they wanted to share with everyone.

Ella shook her head, talking to her friend and Nash’s mother, “I can’t believe you and Doreen pulled this together so quickly.”

Melanie just shrugged, “We all love a good party.”

When Leo had given both Benny and then Mia another turn at the new game, much to a watching Ruby’s delight, he shot a quick questioning glance at Ella, who nodded. With a wide smile, he turned to face his friends and family.

“Ah, listen up folks…” He paused to beckon her closer. “Ella and I have an announcement.”

“Let me guess,” Jack called out. “You’re having a baby?”

“No!’ Ella sounded shocked.

“Give them a minute brother,” JD spoke over her.

“No.” Leo grinned, then he paused and peered at Ella’s pink face. “At least I don’t think so…”

“Of course we aren’t.” Ella rushed to rectify the derailment of their announcement, “We’re getting married.”

Leo laughed, “Only this family could turn our engagement announcement into a crazy, totally off-track, conversation.” With a wry shake of his head, amidst the cheers and catcalls, he pulled a small box from his pocket and went down on one knee.

“Gabriella Staunton Hawes, I know you’ve already said yes , but I’ll give you one more chance to escape, will you do me the honor of becoming a legal part of the Halligan family?”

She caught her breath at the sight of the beautiful diamond solitaire.

“You said we’d get one together, but this moment is so perfect and so is the ring, and, yes .

” She wondered if her smile was as brilliant as the diamond he slid on her finger.

With their future beckoning so brightly, surely it had to be. “Yes, Leo. I’d love to.”

THE END