Epilogue
QUINTON
(LAST BIT . . . PROMISE!)
CC stops midstride as she pushes through the front door. “Daddy!”
Hank stands with Sandy’s help. “Hello, pumpkin.”
She flies into his arms. And I’m choked up, hugging Maise to my side.
“I think she’s happy,” Maise says, pushing up on her tiptoes.
I lean down and mess up her hair with my hand. “Yeah, she is.”
And the day is only just getting started. “Alright, let’s do presents and then eat before Maise gets hangry.”
“I do not get hangry!” Maise pouts.
I gather my family and usher them into the living room.
“We’re not having lunch first?” CC asks.
I nod at the sofa. “Mixing it up this year. Sit.”
She takes a seat next to her father on the sofa.
Maise grabs a gift from the tree, handing it to Hank. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Black.”
He unwraps the box to find a new watch. Maise and I picked that one out.
“Oh, this is wonderful . . .” A confused smile cracks on his face. Maise just beams at him before grabbing another small box from under the tree and holding it behind her back.
“Try it on,” CC says. Sandy helps Hank shift his sleeve.
I shove my hands in my pocket, nerves raising higher with every minute that passes. I pace by the tree as Sandy raises an eyebrow, her head turned away from the others as she narrows her eyes.
Fuck, she’s on to me.
“Here, CC. Open this one.” Maise shoves the small box into CC’s hands.
“Oh, sweetheart, you didn’t have to get me anything.” She hauls her into her arms, but Maise wriggles her way out.
A beat later, I’m being shoved closer and closer to CC, small hands in my back as Maise grunts with frustration.
“What on earth, kiddo?”
“You have to be here. But lower.”
“What’s gotten into you?” I ask.
She tugs at my sweater as CC unties the ribbon.
When she rips the paper from the box, Maise is insistent, pulling on my arm. “Down, Daddy,” she whisper-shouts.
“What the—”
The paper falls to CC’s lap, and I recognize what’s in her hands.
A small box.
A small jewelry box . . .
What have you done, Maise?
“CC, open it!” Maisey chirps, her eyes narrowing as she looks up at me and tugs on my arm hard.
Celeste opens the box.
Her mouth gapes as she looks from the plastic cereal box ring to Maisey and then up to me.
She beat me to it. My own daughter beat me to the goddamn punch.
“Maise, this is—”
Maise slaps a hand over Celeste’s mouth, not letting her speak. “Daddy, come on. I did the hard part for you.”
I chuckle and drop to my knee.
CC’s eyes widen. “Quinnie?” She’s muffled against Maisey’s hand.
I pull Maise to my side and whisper in her ear, “Small green box under the tree, kiddo.”
Her eyes light up and she races to the tree, returning with the small green gift box. She hands it to me and steps back. The anticipation on her face is ridiculous.
I turn back to find CC clasping the small box Maisey gave her.
“Celeste, baby. Now that I’ve been beaten to the punch by a six-year-old . . .”
She chugs a laugh, but it peters to a sob.
I place the gift in my hand and hold it up to her. “Open it.”
She swallows, taking the box from my hand. Carefully, she slides the ribbon from the box, then the paper falls away.
The black ring box sits in her hand unopened for a moment as she glances to Maise, giving her the sweetest smile. “Can I open it?”
She’s not asking me.
She’s asking Maise if this is okay.
“Open it,” Maisey whispers.
Celeste cracks the box open. Her face twists with emotion as her eyes find mine. “Quin.”
I take her hand in mine. “Marry me, CC. Let me be your constant for as long as you’ll have me.”
She huffs a sob and tilts her head. “Only if I can be yours, too.”
“God, baby. Fucking always.” I take her face in my hands and kiss her mouth.
“Daddy! So gross.” Maise giggles but jumps around the sofa, cheering.
Sandy and Hank join in, even though I’m pretty sure Hank doesn’t realize what’s happening. Not even the point. He’s here. Maise is here. And the love of my damn life just said yes.
When I release CC from a punishing kiss that promises more to come later, I find Maise staring up at me. She’s smiling when she says, “Manners, Daddy. You said a bad word.”
CC and I chuckle as Sandy explains it to Hank.
I bend down and hold both her hands. “Good thing I have my beautiful girls to keep me on the straight and narrow, kiddo.”
“Always, Daddy.”
CC leans down, and we’re in a group hug. “How about you see what Santa brought?”
Maise tears off toward the tree with a squeal.
“Naughty or nice, sweet man?” CC whispers.
I plant a kiss to her neck. “Whichever means I get more time with you.”