30. Lexi
LEXI
Two weeks later
"That was amazing," I said as we stepped inside the house with trash bags. Paisley's birthday party was a total success. It was six o'clock in the evening, and finally, all the guests were gone. We’d been cleaning for the past thirty minutes.
"I loved it. It was the best party ever," Paisley exclaimed, running a hand through her wavy hair. I’d painted pink strands in her braid today, and I’d caught her checking her appearance in every reflective surface possible all day long.
She was so cute that I barely resisted hugging her all the time.
If I’d learned one thing in all my years of teaching, it was that kids liked to play it cool in front of their friends.
After dropping the bags in the garbage, we went to the living room, where another pile of trash awaited us. Paisley opened all her presents in here, and there was paper everywhere and one unopened gift, a flat rectangular box wrapped in pink paper with a pink ribbon on the couch.
“Hey, where did that come from?” I asked.
“I want to open it,” Paisley exclaimed.
"Don't you want to go back in the yard and help your grandparents finish?" We were almost done cleaning the yard of balloons, toys, and discarded paper cups. Lena and Emmett volunteered to help with the cleanup before taking Paisley to their place for a sleepover.
"After I look inside. Pleaaaaase," she said.
Turning my head to her, I noticed that she exchanged a glance with Tate, who had joined us in the living room. A suspicious glance.
What’s going on?
"Sure, why not?" I said. "Tate?"
"Yeah, I'm on board."
"Come on, Lexi," Paisley said, taking my hand and leading me to the couch.
I sat down, and, to my surprise, so did Tate.
"Lexi, can you help me unwrap it?" she asked.
"Sure. I'll tear off the paper for you."
"Thanks."
I was so busy unwrapping it that I didn't pay attention to the fact that Paisley was sitting unnaturally still. Under the wrapping paper was a beautiful gift box in black velvet that seemed very serious for a ten-year-old's gift.
Opening it, I frowned. Inside was a card, and it was hand-drawn by Paisley. I recognized the stroke of her brush and the way she wrote the letters For Lexi . Next to it was a small jewelry box.
I looked up and found Paisley and Tate exchanging yet another glance. "What's going on?" I asked. My palms were a bit sweaty.
"These are for you, Lexi," Tate said in a soft voice.
"I made a card," Paisley added. "Do you want to read it?"
"Sure," I said, a bit bewildered. "But it's your birthday."
"I know. If you want, I can read it to you. I wrote it so I wouldn't forget what I want to say."
"But why would you write me a card and give me a gift? It's not my birthday," I said.
"It's all in the card. I'll explain it."
With a look at Tate, who nodded, Paisley took out the card and opened it. She scrunched her beautiful face in concentration.
" Dear Lexi,
Today is a big day because it's my birthday and I am ten years old. I asked Daddy to do this on my birthday because then it's a special day for both of us. We love you, and we hope you want to be with us. I want to ask if you'd like to be my mom. I wrote it down because then it’s official.”
Her voice wobbled a bit, and she looked over the card at me.
My throat was completely blocked. I had a giant knot in my chest, and I could barely breathe past it, let alone speak.
So instead of saying anything, I nodded and opened my arms. Paisley walked right into them, wrapping her arms around me.
The card was scratching the back of my neck, but I didn’t care. I didn’t want to let go.
But only a few short seconds later, Paisley wiggled out of my embrace, taking a step back.
“And Daddy also wants to ask something."
She said a few more words, but I couldn't hear them past the thumping in my ear.
Tate took the small jewelry box out of the big box, and then he dropped to one knee next to Paisley, who was standing still, holding her card with both hands.
"Lexi, I love you," Tate said simply, opening the box. "As Paisley said, we both love you, and we want you with us, forever.” He took in a deep breath, and I didn’t miss the emotion in his eyes.
“Will you marry me? Be my wife, my partner in crime, and my best friend? Will you be my everything, Lexi?”
"Yes," I said in an overly emotional voice, but that was fine because if there was ever a moment to be overly emotional, it was this one. "Yes, I will."
Paisley clapped her hands. "Can I put the ring on?" she asked, and I nodded.
Tate held the box for her while she took out the ring. It wasn’t a classic engagement ring, but it was far more beautiful than any I'd seen, with a sapphire sphere set in white gold. She put it on my finger and then clapped her hands again.
“You’re going to be my mom. And then we can do mommy things together. We already did some, but now it will be official .”
“Yes, it will,” I said, smiling at her catchy enthusiasm.
"I'm going to tell Grandma and Grandpa the good news and that they can come in," she exclaimed.
Tate kissed her forehead before she darted toward the back door.
He rose to his feet, his eyes trained on me. His gaze seemed even more intense than a few seconds ago. It was still full of emotion and radiating heat, and I was melting under its weight.
He reached out for me, one hand on my cheek, the other on my hip. His lips were hot and determined against mine, moving desperately, like no matter how close he was, it wasn't enough. No matter how much he kissed me, it wasn't enough.
I felt the same. My whole body was alive with excitement; it vibrated through me.
Happiness coursed through my veins. A small tremor took hold of me as I skimmed my hands down his muscular arms. He was wearing a T-shirt, and all those delicious muscles were mine to touch.
I was smiling when we paused to breathe.
"Did you time everything?" I asked in a shaky tone.
"Yeah, except how much time I had for this kiss," he said as the back door opened and Paisley’s and his parents' voices reached us. "Should have told my parents to keep Paisley outside for a while."
"How many helpers did you have, exactly? Your parents, Tyler, Reese, Paisley…"
"Hey. I needed the element of surprise, and I couldn't do it on my own, so I got everyone involved. We each have our set of skills. Reese is an excellent planner, Tyler can distract even the most suspicious of us, and Paisley is quickly learning something from everyone.”
"Obviously," I said with a chuckle. I couldn't believe all this. I still couldn't believe the ring on my finger or that this beautiful man wanted to spend his life with me. He’d thought he couldn’t open up to love again, but he’d let me in all the way .
And Paisley wants me to be her mom .
My eyes stung a bit, and Tate didn’t miss it. He touched my cheek with the backs of his fingers, keeping his eyes fixed on me.
"I love you, Lexi. I love you so much. I can't imagine my life without you, babe. You've made me such a happy man today." He gave me another kiss, but this one was short and chaste, because the trio was close enough that we could hear what they were saying clearly.
They entered the living room the next second.
Paisley ran straight to us and hugged us both, looking up at me with a dreamy smile. I’d made this little girl happy, and Tate too. There was no better feeling in the world.
"We hear congratulations are in order," Emmett said, coming up to us. "Well done, son." He clapped a hand on Tate's shoulder before hugging me and kissing each of my cheeks.
Lena hugged me too, and she held on tight for a few seconds. My heart was so happy and full.
“You two make such a lovely pair.” Stepping back, Lena looked between Tate and me and then at Paisley. "Paisley, is your backpack ready? If we leave now, we still have time for a movie tonight.”
“It’s ready,” I replied. “We packed it before the party started and put it next to the front door.”
“Then I suggest we go. The yard is clean,” Lena went on.
Emmett nodded. “That’s right. No reason to linger.”
My cheeks were a bit red. I mean, I was sure Lena and Emmett just wanted to give us privacy, but I was equally certain that Tate was already harboring sexy thoughts.
I could feel it in the stance of his body, the heat radiating off him, the way he put an arm around my shoulders, brushing his fingers up and down my upper arm.
"Okay. What are we going to watch?" Paisley asked.
“Whatever you want, poppet,” Lena said. She put a hand at the back of Paisley’s neck, steering her toward the front door. Emmett walked out next to them. Tate and I trailed behind, chuckling when Paisley started to negotiate. She wanted to watch two movies.
I had to admit, I wasn't totally listening to the conversation going on. I was too lost in my happiness. But once they left and we were alone, all my senses went into overdrive. Especially when Tate wrapped his arms around my waist, whispering, “We’re alone. Finally.”
I giggled. “You’ve been waiting for a while, huh?”
“The whole damn day. I wanted Paisley to be part of the proposal, but now it’s just you and me, and I want to tell you a few more things.”
“I’m listening.” I suspected my man was going to make me swoon again.
"I love you, Lexi, and I can't wait for us to be married, for you to officially be mine. Thank you for teaching me how to feel again, how to want, how to live. You're everything to me."
I’d been right. I was swooning.
"And you to me."
“You’re mine, Lexi. Do you know what that means?”
“What?” I whispered.
“That I get to spoil you every day. Take care of you. Your problems are my problems too. So, if you changed your mind about me helping with your parents’ medical expenses, let me know.”
“Hmmm… you had to bring this up while I’m swooning and happy, huh?”
“Yeah,” he said with a slight grin. “Thought it might increase the chances of getting a yes.”