“So, why now?”
“Seeing you. You’re the spitting image of your mother and it made her real again. All these years, that week has been in my mind, almost like a dream, but seeing you… that brought it all right back to reality. One I wanted more of. I knew if I found her and she was happy, I would walk away. I knew my heart would break all over again, but I did it anyway. I was tired of living with what could have been. I needed to know. I never could have imagined I’d find her and you. My d-daughter,” he says, choking up.
Landon places his hand on my thigh, giving me the courage I need. “I get it,” I tell them. “I understand, but it’s going to take me some time. I don’t have this… connection that the two of you have. You’re a stranger to me,” I say, looking at Joseph.
“I want to get to know you, Emma. I want to be a part of your life. You take all the time that you need. When you’re ready, I’d like to add my name to your birth certificate. I know you’re an adult, but it’s important to me.”
“I’m not changing my name.” I don’t know why I say it. He didn’t ask me to. I guess I just need to get that out in the open. Who knows, maybe one day I might change my mind.
“Not to Stamper,” Landon speaks up. He sets his coffee down on the table and drops to his knees in front of me. He takes my coffee and places it on the table as well, before taking my hands in his. “This isn’t how I planned to do this, and I don’t have a ring.” He grins, giving me a flash of his dimples. I stare down at him, my heart. My breath stalls in my chest when the reality of what’s about to happen settles.
“When I thought I might lose you, I felt like my world was spinning out of control. I don’t ever want to face that again. I want to know that it’s always going to be you that I come home to. You who’s sleeping next to me, and you who has my last name. Emma Deaton, freckles…” He smirks. “Will you do me the incredible honor, and make me the happiest man alive and be my wife? Will you marry me?”
Tears are flowing down my cheeks and emotion clogs my throat. I nod and he chuckles. “I need your words, baby.”
“Y-Yes,” I manage to croak out.
He lets out a whoop of excitement and lifts me off the couch and into his arms. His lips press to mine and suddenly, everything is right in my world. I know it’s going to be tough with his career, but we have a great support system that surrounds us, and most of all, we have love. Landon Barker is everything I never knew I wanted and everything that I need. He’s the love of my life.
“I love you,” I say as he sets me back on my feet.
“I love you too.”
“Congratulations, you two.” Mom comes to us and wraps her arms around us in a giant hug. “I’m so happy for you both,” she says, wiping tears.
“Landon,” Joseph says from beside us. It’s going to take some time for me to call him dad. I’m sure I’ll get to that point eventually, but right now, first names are the best that I can do. “Take care of her.”
“Always,” Landon replies.
“You know, you’re one lucky bastard, right?” Joseph asks him.
“I could say the same for you.”
“Yeah.” Joseph pulls my mom into his side and kisses the top of her head. “Lucky bastard indeed.”
Epilogue
Landon
This is my first baby shower, but certainly not my last. Luna and Trent were showered with gifts from family and friends today. Now, Luna, Aubrey, and Emma are sitting on the couch eating cake, talking and laughing. The three-carat diamond ring that Emma and I picked out together sparkles and shines every time she moves her hand. It’s not what I would have picked. I was looking at a six carat, but she shut me down. I get it. It’s not practical when she’s working, but I want nothing but the best for her. It also helps that it’s a beacon of light so all the single guys who think they’re going to make a move get the hint quickly. At least I hope they do.
“This going to be you next?” Trent asks, handing me a bottle of water. We try to limit our alcohol during the season.
“I hope so.”
“Really? That’s not the answer I expected to get.”
“No?”
“Not at all, but I can tell you, it’s a fucking rush, man, to know that my baby is growing inside her. What’s even better is watching her body grow and change, and feeling the baby kick. I’m telling you, it’s next level.” He takes a swig of his own water. “I can still remember the day she told me. I was scared to death. But the minute I heard the baby’s heartbeat for the first time, I knew we were going to be fine. How do you love someone you’ve never met? It’s wild as hell, but it’s a ride I can’t wait to take again.”
“Think we’re going to go somewhere tropical when the season’s over and get married. I hope by then I’ve talked her into trying.”
He nods toward the living room. I follow his gaze and Emma has her hand on Luna’s belly, a grin that lights up my life on her face. “Don’t think it’s going to take much convincing.” He walks away and I watch as he bends to kiss Luna’s belly and then places a tender kiss to her lips.
Life is finally starting to settle back down after the media frenzy. As soon as Joseph’s divorce went public, it didn’t take the vultures long to dig up that Emma, my fiancée, was
