Epilogue
DAISY
ONE MONTH LATER
“How did you find today’s service?” I ask Kade from where I’m curled up on his lap in the living room as he strokes my hair.
It’s the first one he’s attended since the incident with Bruce.
He’s not comfortable attending every week, but he knows my faith is still important to me, and so wants to join me on occasion.
“Your dad gave one hell of a speech. He made me sound like I was Superman.”
I laugh. “In his eyes, you are. Your heroism in saving me is something he’ll forever be thankful for. And I think you get extra points for running the Youth of Hope Foundation. He couldn’t stop bragging about it to anyone who’d listen.”
He shifts like the comment makes him uncomfortable.
“It’s great that Evan’s jumped on board. It’s so great how you’ve bonded again after all these years. Everyone just loves you.” I smile. “Even the ladies at morning tea loved you.”
The chuckle he releases vibrates through me. “They were sweet.”
“Sweet? They would have ripped your clothes off and offered to have an orgy with you if you’d shown interest.”
“Are all elderly women so randy?”
“All women are randy when they’re around you.”
“The only randy woman I want around me is you.”
I poke him playfully in the chest. “And that’s the way it’s going to stay.”
“Always.” He places a kiss on my neck.
“Although, there was one woman who didn’t have eyes for you. Did you notice the way Mrs. Goldstein was watching my father?” We’d hired the widow to take over my place in the office and the running of the church.
“I did. I’m guessing she wants to do more to your father than run his office.” He winks.
I cover my face with my hands. “I don’t want to think about that.”
He rubs his palm up and down my back. “I can tell he’s trying to fix things with you.”
He really is. The effort he’s making to get to know Kade is wonderful. It’s been baby steps to trust him again, but I’m hoping our relationship will grow to be a strong one. “He’s even excited I got into nursing school.”
“So he should be. You’re going to be a great nurse.”
It’s a dream I never thought I’d see come true. Now that it has, I’m going to have to put it on hold for a while. With everything that’s been happening lately, I never got to have the ‘if Kade wants children’ talk yet.
I fiddle with a button on his shirt as nerves take over my body. “Umm, about that… there’s been a change of plans.”
He pulls back a little to look at me. “What kind of change?”
“I want to wait a little longer before I start.”
“I know you want to put yourself through school, but if money’s a problem, you know I’ll give you whatever you need.”
I smile. He’s already given me access to his accounts, telling me I can do whatever I want with his money. It’s not his money I want. It’s a life with him. He could lose all the businesses. All the properties. But Kade Sullivan is all I need. “It’s not about money.”
“Is something wrong? Are you okay?” Concern lines his features.
Cupping his jaw, I give him a quick, reassuring kiss. “I’m fine.” His face visibly shows his relief. “But I am pregnant.” There, I said it. Better not to drag it out.
“You’re pregnant?” he says with a tone of disbelief.
I nod, biting my bottom lip to stop it from wobbling.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.” His face is void of emotion. What is he thinking? “I know we haven’t talked about having kids, and this must be such a shock to you. Believe me, I peed on six pregnancy tests before I believed it. If this isn’t something you want—”
“I’m going to be a dad,” he states, interrupting my babbling.
“Yes.”
His stare is intense as he looks at me. “I don’t know how to be a dad.”
My heart drops with devastation. He doesn’t want this.
“That’s okay.” I push away to try to stand, but he anchors his arms around my waist, stopping me.
“Where are you going?”
“I can do this on my own if it’s too much for you.”
His eyes widen. “Too much for me? Do you honestly think I’d let you raise a baby on your own? My baby?”
“We never talked about having kids. You mentioned before that you don’t want them.” Tears sting the backs of my eyes, but I will not let them fall.
“No, we’ve never had that conversation. I never wanted kids because I thought I’d fuck them up. The thought of being a dad scares me. But with you, I know you’ll help me not to fuck them up. I want a baby. I want a family with you.”
My chin wobbles, and I can’t hold back the tears. “You do?”
“I’ve never had a real family before. Don’t know what a good dad looks like. But I know what a shit one looks like, and with you by my side, I know I can be a great one.”
“You’ll be incredible.” My throat clogs with emotion.
He rests a hand on my stomach. “I’m going to be a father.” His voice cracks. “Just when I thought I couldn’t possibly be any happier, you hand me the perfect gift. Making my life even better.”
How has my life become so perfect? I rest my head on his chest over his rapidly beating heart. Once, he told me he’d never tattoo a woman’s name on his body. Under his white shirt, my name, not flowers, is tattooed over his heart.