Chapter 67 – Jude
Chapter Sixty-Seven
JUDE
My arm swings out to stop Patrick, he lets out a little ‘oof’ as he runs into my arm. “You promised you wouldn’t use your farm strength against me anymore.” Patrick hisses, rubbing his chest.
“Shh.” I jerk my nod at the scene playing out on the porch.
“Ope. My bad.” Patrick slaps his hand over his mouth.
We stand and watch as Mabel pulls Paul’s hand and rests it against her stomach. There’s a look of awe on Paul’s face that lets me know that our little guy is making his presence known. “Ooooh, Elle is going to be so upset.” Patrick whispers from behind his hand.
Soon enough, Paul and Mabel are embracing as best they can with her stomach between the two of them.
“Okay, that’s our cue.” I start walking towards the pair. “Hey Trouble. You okay?” Mabel’s been glowing since her second trimester but seeing her face light up now that Paul’s back in her life. God, I couldn’t wait for this baby shower to be over.
“Everything’s great, Muscles.” Mabel starts to waddle down the stairs but I meet her halfway, cradling her cheeks and pressing a soft kiss against her mouth.
“You ready to rock this baby shower?” Patrick claps his hands, joining our little group. Paul coughs, running his hand down the bottom half of his face.
“I have to go pick up Anika and Henry, then I’ll be back.” Mabel pulls Paul into another hug before letting him go. Patrick leaves us as well, catching the vibe that I wanted to be alone with Mabel for a moment.
“Paul told me you cornered him and tore him a second asshole.” Chuckling, she did her best to wrap her arms around my waist. Between my stomach and our Little Stinger nestled between us, it was definitely a job to get a grip.
Humming, I bend down needing to kiss her again. “I figured it was time to knock some sense into him. Patrick helped.” Patrick helped a lot.
Setting up the meeting, convincing him to stay and listen. I wasn’t completely convinced Paul would have been here today if it wasn’t for Patrick. “I love you, Muscles. Thank you.”
“I love you too, Trouble.”
I don’t think I could wait until the baby shower was over.
Oh shit, I was really going to do this.
“Close your eyes for me.” Mabel’s confused face is so fucking cute.
“Please.” Her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip as she closes her eyes.
Taking a fortifying breath, I reach for the little box in my back pocket and get down onto one knee.
“Alright, open up.” Time slows as Mabel’s eyes flutter open.
Confusion flashes in her sparkling mahogany eyes as she doesn’t see me towering over her.
When she finally finds me, on one knee with a ring box in my hand, she screams. She screams so loud I almost drop the ring box to cover my ears. She screams for so long that the front door swings open, the whole Warren clan rushing out ready for a fight.
“No fuckin way!” Elle screams, Lola’s mouth is gapping like a fish, Mama D’s got tears in her eyes. Patrick raises his hands above his head, jumping up and down and letting out a loud “Whoop!” and Mabel is still screaming.
This was not what I planned.
Of course, the original plan was to wait until after the baby shower.
This was my punishment for going off the book.
“Mabel, Trouble. I really hope that was a scream of joy.” I can feel my cheeks starting to burn with everyone’s eyes on me.
“You know I’m not one for a lot of words but I love you.
I want to be with you. You’ve been my dream girl for over ten years.
Being with you, getting to love you and being blessed with our Little Stinger, it’s better than I could have ever imagined.
Would you help me fulfill one more dream and marry me? ” I can’t stop the waver in my voice.
“I want to jump into your arms so bad but I don’t think it’s a good idea.” Tears are falling down her cheeks. “I don’t even think I could get down on my knees right now.” She huffs out an adorable little breath of frustration.
“Mabel. Is that a yes?”
“Oh my god, yes! Yes yes yes yes!”
Mabel’s hands cradle my cheeks and crashes her mouth against mine. The kiss is frantic and too soon Mabel pulls back, panting. “This little guy is crushing my lungs.” The peanut gallery breaks into laughs.
“Fuck, I can’t call him your baby daddy anymore!” Elle sounds so put upon it sends another round of giggles throughout everyone.
Standing, I wrap my arms around Mabel. Kissing the top of her head, I pull the ring out of the box and slip it onto her finger.
It’s a simple sunburst diamond with a white gold band.
“It’s perfect.” Mabel looks up at me in awe, a giant smile tugging at her lips.
I can’t stop myself from kissing her again.
I need the reassurance of her lips on mine, her warm body pressed against me. It feels like this is all too good to be true.
I’m overwhelmed holding her in my arms, my ring on her finger and her family surrounding us. Warren Farms has always been my sanctuary but my heart, my soul, my home is in my arms.
“You’re perfect. Thank you for making my dreams come true.”
My hand lowers to rest on her growing stomach, our boy kicking in agreement.