“You…love me for that.”
“Let me say this again. I love you, Rachel. That’s what I wanted to talk to you about the night you ran away on us. I love you and want you in our lives. I want you in Cassie’s life. I’m careful who I bring in to Cassie’s life. At first I was worried about bringing you in,. I knew you were on the run, Rach, but you never have to run again. You’re the only person good enough for my daughter, and rest assured no one is ever going to hurt you again.”
“Jaxon, it’s…I’m afraid. Dylan…”
“He doesn’t know where you are, and besides, once you move in with us and change your last name, his chances drop from slim to none.”
I angle my head, sort through is words. “Why would I change my last name?”
“I’d really like you to take on mine when we get married, but I get it women don’t always do that today, so if you don’t want to—”
What?
Married?
“What are you saying?” I ask, my heart racing like a hamster on a wheel.
He drops to one knee, and my breath leaves my lungs in a whoosh.
“Will you marry me, Rachel. Will you be my wife, Cassie’s mother?”
Tears fall again, harder this time, soaking the front of my coat. I sink to my knees with him and he brushes my hair back. “I love you, Rachel. And there is a little girl in that car that loves you, too. Say yes, and I’ll go get her.”
I pause as tears run down my eyes. My heart is pounding so hard in my ears, I’m not sure I’m hearing things right.
“Rach?”
“Say yes, child,” Grandma says from the kitchen.
A big hiccupping laugh—or cry, I can’t be sure—climbs out of my throat. “Yes, Jaxon. Yes, a million times over.”
Worry leaves his eyes and he displays those sexy dimples as he smiles at me and presses his lips to mine. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
He stands, and pulls me up with him. He guides me to the sofa and I sit. “Don’t move.” He gives me a warning glare.
“I won’t,” I say through a garbled chuckle.
Jaxon dashes out the door, and comes back in with Cassie. She’s carrying a picnic basket in one hand, a doll in the other.
“Rachel,” she squeals, dropping both and running toward me. I give her a big hug, and she starts talking about a kite, and a picnic, and my birthday.
“Slow down, kiddo,” I say, and Jaxon drops grabs the picnic basket, and drops his knees in front of us. “What’s going on?” I ask.
He takes one of my hand in his. “Do you remember what you told me you wanted for your birthday?”
“Yes, another day with my mother.”
“We couldn’t make that happen, but we wanted to try our best. We had plans to get our Christmas tree on your birthday, then take you to the park, fly a kite, have a picnic. All the things you did with your mother. But you left before we could do any of that.”
“Ohmigod, Jaxon,” I say and place my free hand over my face as my heart fills will all the love I have for him and his daughter.
“The food didn’t make it, but there are a few things in that basket that we still want to give you.”
“Now, Daddy?” Cassie asks.
“Now, kiddo,” he says.
I swipe my tears away and Cassie reaches into the basket. I laugh when she pulls out those gummy green leaves I like.
“You remembered,” I say, barely able to speak.
“I remembered,” he says softly as he places his hand on my cheek.
Cassie reaches in and what she pulls out next has the tears falling again. “Jaxon,” I blubber as I take the picture from Cassie. “How?”
“I know a guy who knows a guy and he was able to digitally restore it. Cassie picked the frame out.”
I look from the picture of my mom and me, the one that was ruined that night that freshman attacked me, and take in the sweet girl beaming up at me. Jaxon came to my rescue that night, and in my heart, I know as long as I’m with him, no one will ever hurt me again.
“It’s perfect, Cassie. Thank you.” I grab another tissue, wipe my face and reach for both Jaxon’s and Cassie’s hands. “I have a confession.”
Jaxon stiffens, the worry lines bracketing his eyes deepening. “What?”
“I did want another day with my mother for my birthday, but I secretly wished for something else.”
Jaxon looks from me, to his rather quiet daughter, back to me. “Anything. You name it, it’s yours.”
“What I wished for was a lifetime with you.”
Jaxon’s features soften as he leans in, and gently puts his lips on mine. Our first display of affection in front of Cassie.
“Daddy!” Cassie exclaims.
We both laugh and Jaxon rubs his daughter’s head. “Get used to it, Cassie. Rachel is coming to live with us and she’s going to be your new mommy. I know you were just angry and upset this morning when you said you didn’t want that.”
Her big blue eyes fill with tears as she throws her arms around me. “I want you to be my mommy,” she says. “I was just sad when I said that.”
“I want to be your mommy, Cassie. And I’m sorry I made you sad. I never wanted to make you sad. Do you forgive me?”
“I forgive you,” she says, then glances at her daddy. She crinkles her nose and we both know she’s about to say something profound. “But do I call you mommy?”
“That depends—” Jaxon begins.
“Do you want to, Cassie?” I ask. She nods her head, her ponytail bouncing. “Good,” I say. “After your daddy and I get married, I can officially adopt you, and I’ll be your mommy.”
As Cassie hugs
