Chapter 7
Chapter Seven
JULIE
I wake up the next morning with a smile on my face as sunlight streams through the bedroom windows.
Last night, Blake made me feel like the sexiest woman on earth.
The way he kissed every inch of my skin, caressed my curves, worshipped me with his mouth and hands. My body is still tingling from his touch.
The bedroom door creaks open, and Blake walks in wearing a bright pink “Girl Dad” T-shirt. He has a giggling Maddie perched on his hip.
“Morning, gorgeous,” he says with a grin. “Someone wanted to say hi to her mommy, didn’t you, pumpkin?”
Maddie babbles happily and reaches her chubby arms out for me. I sit up, and the sheets pool around my waist as I take her into my arms.
“Hi, my angel,” I coo as I breathe in her sweet baby scent and pepper her cheeks with soft kisses. “Did you sleep well in your new room?”
I glance up and see Blake’s heated gaze roam over my exposed skin. Suddenly, I feel self-conscious even as a flush rises to my cheeks.
“I could have gotten up to get her,” I tell Blake and tug the sheet higher over my chest.
He shakes his head, his smile soft and tender. “It’s no problem, baby. I’m an early riser anyway.”
He leans in and brushes a feather-light kiss across my lips. “Plus,” he murmurs, his voice low and husky, “I thought you could use the rest after last night.”
A pointed throat clearing draws our attention to the doorway. Josie stands there. Her dark hair is pulled back in a ponytail, and she’s wearing a cute sundress and sandals. She looks ready to head out somewhere.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she says, her lips twitching with a barely suppressed grin. “But I wanted to let you know I’m heading out for the day.”
I frown, surprised. “Where are you going?” As far as I know, Josie doesn’t know anyone in town besides Blake’s family.
Josie’s smile widens. “Eliza and Willow invited me to a girls’ brunch with their friend Melanie. They’re picking me up in a few.”
My heart warms at the thought of Eliza and Willow including Josie in their plans, making her feel welcome. I know it means the world to her, especially after the lonely childhood we had.
“That’s great, Jo,” I say sincerely. “Have fun, okay? And call me if you need anything.”
Josie rolls her eyes good-naturedly. “Yes, Mom,” she teases. “I’ll be fine. You just focus on enjoying your day with Blake and my adorable niece.”
With a final wave, she disappears down the hallway, leaving Blake and me alone with Maddie.
Blake tickles Maddie’s tummy, eliciting a burst of giggles from her. “Who’s Daddy’s little munchkin? Is it you?”
Maddie squeals with delight and reaches for Blake’s face. He pretends to nibble on her fingers as he makes silly nom nom noises. My heart swells with love watching the two most important people in my life bond.
“So,” Blake says, turning to me with a grin. “What do you say we spend the day together, just the three of us?”
I beam at him. “I’d love that. What did you have in mind?”
“Well.” He taps his chin thoughtfully. “I was thinking we could start with a big family breakfast. Pancakes, bacon, eggs, the works. Then maybe head to the park and let Maddie check out the baby swings.”
“That sounds perfect.” I lean in to kiss him softly. “Let me get dressed.”
The rest of the day is like something straight out of a fairy tale.
Blake makes us a delicious breakfast and then we head to the park, where Maddie splashes and plays in the fountain, her little face alight with glee. Then we have a picnic lunch on a blanket in the grass. Maddie crawls between us on chubby legs, babbling happily as she explores her surroundings.
As the afternoon fades into evening, Blake puts Maddie in her car seat and tells me he has a surprise for me. Curious, I let him help me into his truck. My mind spins with possibilities.
We drive for a while, and the scenery grows more lush and green as we head into the mountains. Maddie dozes off, lulled by the motion of the car. And I find myself getting lost in thought, marveling at the incredible turn my life has taken.
Just as the sun begins to paint the sky in streaks of orange and pink, Blake pulls off onto a small dirt road. We emerge into a clearing, and my breath catches in my throat at the sight before me.
A huge, gorgeous cabin sits nestled among the trees, its windows glowing with warm light. But that’s not what makes my heart stutter in my chest.
Because there, scattered across the clearing, are dozens of flickering candles and vases overflowing with red roses. And standing in the middle of it all are Josie, Willow, Eliza, Heath, and Drew, their faces wreathed in smiles.
“Blake,” I whisper, my voice trembling. “What’s going on?”
He takes my hand and helps me out of the truck. Then he retrieves a sleepy Maddie from her car seat. Once we’re all together, to my shock, he sinks to one knee before me.
“Julie,” he says, his eyes shimmering with emotion. “From the moment I met you, I knew you were special. Knew you were meant to be mine. And then, when I found out about Maddie, about the incredible gift you’ve given me... I fell in love with you all over again.”
Tears stream down my face as he continues, his words wrapping around my heart like a warm embrace.
“You’re everything I’ve ever wanted, baby. You’re kind and strong and beautiful, inside and out. You’re an amazing mother to our daughter, and you make me want to be a better man, every single day.”
He reaches into his pocket and pulls out a small velvet box. When he opens it, I gasp.
The most stunning diamond ring I’ve ever seen glitters in the candlelight.
“I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Julie. I want to wake up every morning with you in my arms and fall asleep every night knowing that you’re mine. I want to build a life and a family with you, filled with laughter and love and all the things we both never had growing up.”
He takes a deep breath, his eyes locked on mine. “Julie Murphy, will you marry me? Will you be my wife, my partner, the mother of my children? Will you let me love you, forever and always?”
For a long moment, I can’t speak past the lump in my throat as overwhelming emotion courses through me. But then, through my tears, I smile and nod.
“Yes,” I whisper, my heart so full it feels like it might burst. “Yes, Blake Donovan, I will marry you. I will be your wife, your everything. I love you so much.”
Cheers erupt from our gathered family as Blake slides the ring onto my finger, his own eyes bright with tears. Then he stands, pulls me into his arms, and claims my lips in a kiss that holds the promise of forever.
Maddie claps her little hands, giggling at her silly, happy parents. And as I hold my daughter close and gaze into the eyes of the man I love, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. A bone-deep certainty that this is exactly where I’m meant to be.
With my family, my heart, my home. The missing pieces of my soul finally clicking into place.
Our family isn’t conventional, and our journey hasn’t been easy. But we found each other against all odds, across time and distance and the scars of our pasts.
And as I stand here in this magical, rose-scented clearing with Blake’s ring on my finger and our daughter in my arms, I know that every struggle, every heartache, every lonely night has been worth it.
Because it led us here, to this perfect moment. To this love that will last a lifetime.
I turn to Blake, my heart in my eyes. “Take us home.”
As we make our way back to the truck, I can’t help but marvel at how much my life has changed in such a short time. Just a few weeks ago, Josie, Maddie, and I were barely scraping by and struggling to make ends meet and find our place in the world.
But now, as I look around at the smiling faces of my new family, I realize that we’ve found so much more than just a place to belong. We’ve found love, acceptance, and a sense of home that I never knew was possible.
Josie catches my eye, her own shining with happiness and gratitude. I know she feels it too—the incredible blessing of being welcomed into this wonderful, crazy, loving family.
And as we all pile into the truck, laughing and chattering excitedly about the future, I send up a silent prayer of thanks for the twists and turns of fate that brought us here.
To Blake, my soulmate and partner in all things. To Maddie, the light of our lives and the glue that holds us all together. And to Josie, my sister, my rock, the one who’s been by my side through every hardship and every triumph.
Together, we’ve weathered the storms of our past and emerged stronger, more resilient, and more determined to build a life filled with joy and purpose.
And as the truck rumbles down the mountain, carrying us back to the home we’ve created together, I know that no matter what the future holds, we’ll face it as a family.
Forever and always.
The End