24. Olivia & Brett #2
Chloe flopped down next to me. “I still think your cat is a psychopath.”
I ruffled her hair. “She’s just… high-spirited.”
“She is the most adorable psychopath, though,” Chloe admitted.
Brett joined us, stretching out on the other side, his arm draping over the back of the couch behind me. “So, are we all officially settled in?”
Chloe groaned. “No, because Mystic still thinks she owns the place.”
I smirked. “She does.”
Brett kissed my cheek, his breath warm against my skin. “Guess that makes two of you.”
My heart did an embarrassing little flip. “Damn right.”
Chloe gagged. “Gross.”
I rolled my eyes. “You’re going to have to get used to it.”
She glared at me, but a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. “Fine. But if you guys get married, I want to be your maid of honor.”
Brett nearly choked. “Wow. Jumping straight to that?”
Chloe shrugged. “Just saying. It’s better to plan ahead.”
Brett looked at me, amusement glinting in his eyes. “So… should we plan ahead?”
I narrowed my eyes. “I hate you.”
He grinned. “No, you don’t.”
And the worst part? He was absolutely right.
Brett - Two months later ...
Two months later, I stood in the living room, my heart pounding harder than it ever had in any boardroom negotiation. Snow swirled outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city blanketed in white, but I could only focus on the two people in front of me—Olivia and Chloe. My girls. My everything.
I cleared my throat, gripping the back of the couch like it might steady the whirlwind inside me.
“I need you both to know something.” My voice came out raspier than I intended.
“You are my life. My world. When I look at you, Chloe—” I met my daughter’s wide, expectant gaze—”and you, Olivia—” my eyes locked onto hers, and she stole my breath—”I see everything I ever needed.
My life is perfect because you’re in it. ”
Chloe beamed, bouncing on her toes. “Dad, that’s so sweet!” She turned to Olivia, practically vibrating with excitement. “Isn’t it? I mean, I already knew, but hearing it out loud is the best.”
Olivia’s lips parted, her blue-green eyes shimmering. “Brett… “ She exhaled, blinking rapidly. “This—being here with you and Chloe—feels like a dream—one I never want to wake up from.”
I swallowed hard. That was what I needed to hear. She wasn’t just saying it; she meant it. And hell, so did I.
Chloe grabbed Olivia’s hand, squeezing it. “This is the happiest I’ve ever been. And you know what would make it even better?”
I lifted a brow. “Let me guess… unlimited candy?”
She giggled. “No, Dad. Siblings.”
Olivia tensed beside me, and I cut her a glance. Her lips twitched like she was holding something back.
“Chloe,” I said, rubbing my jaw, “you know how these things work, right? You can’t just order a baby like it’s Amazon Prime.”
“I know that.” Chloe rolled her eyes. “But if it ever happened, I’d be the best big sister ever.”
Olivia let out a small laugh, then took a breath. “Well, you might get your chance.”
Chloe’s head jerked up. “Wait… what?”
Olivia’s smile deepened, her fingers curling over her stomach. “I’m pregnant.”
Silence.
A slow, stunned beat before Chloe gasped, her entire body launching into a frenzy of flailing limbs. “NO WAY!” She practically tackled Olivia, hugging her so hard I thought she might squeeze the baby out right then and there. “I’m gonna be a big sister? This is the best day of my life!”
A laugh rumbled in my chest, barely covering the rush of emotion crashing over me. A baby? Our baby.
A baby? Oh my God. A baby!
My knees went weak. Holy hell. I barely had a handle on the incredible woman before me, and now she was carrying my kid?
I ran a hand down my face and then through my hair, my pulse hammering as I looked at Olivia—really looked at her. She was glowing and radiating a happiness so fierce it made me ache.
I didn’t even think. Didn’t even second-guess. I just dropped to one knee, pulled the ring from my pocket—the one I’d carried for weeks, waiting for the right moment—and held it up.
Olivia gasped. Chloe shrieked. My heart damn near exploded.
“Olivia Shaw,” I said, my voice thick, “I love you. I love the way you challenge me and the way you make me want to be better. I love that you see me—the real me—even when I’m an idiot.” I exhaled, shaking my head. “And I love the way you love Chloe. You make her feel safe and whole.”
I swear she stopped breathing, tears glistening in her lashes.
“This is it for me,” I said, locking onto her eyes. “You and Chloe. Our family. I don’t need anything else. I don’t want anything else. Just both of you, forever.” I took her hand, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. “Marry me, Liv. Let me love you for the rest of my life.”
She sucked in a breath. For a split second, my stomach twisted. Then she crashed into me, knocking me backward onto the rug. “Yes,” she whispered against my lips. “Yes, Brett. A thousand times, yes.”
Chloe whooped so loud Phoenix barked from the corner. “FINALLY! I KNEW IT!”
Olivia laughed against my mouth, tears slipping down her cheeks. “How long have you had this ring?”
“Weeks.”
“You’ve had this for weeks?” Her eyes went wide with wonder.
I sighed, nipping her bottom lip. “Yes, but I’ve wanted to propose for at least six months.”
Chloe groaned. “Ew, are you guys gonna kiss now? Because if so, I’ll tell Phoenix. She loves drama.”
I flipped Olivia onto her back, pinning her under me with a wicked grin. “Oh, sweetheart, we’re definitely gonna kiss now.”
She arched a brow, her fingers threading into my hair. “In front of your daughter?”
I turned my head. “Chloe, go to your room.”
She shrieked with laughter. “I knew this was gonna happen! I’m going, I’m going!” She grabbed Phoenix and ran off, still giggling. “Bye, Mom!” She giggled all the way upstairs.
“She called me Mom,” Olivia said, and another batch of tears rolled down her face.
I wiped them away and said, “It was bound to happen. You’re pretty lovable, you know.”
She punched my shoulder, and then I put my hand on her stomach. “There’s really a baby in there?”
She nodded.
“How long have you known?”
“Since yesterday morning,” she admitted.
“Why did you wait to tell me?”
“I wanted a day, selfishly, for it to be my little secret.”
“Hmm. I understand, Liv. I really do. I’m so incredibly happy.”
“I hadn’t noticed. I don’t think Olivia’s too happy about it.”
That made me laugh. “Ya. I think she’s really upset.”
We both laughed and then I went over to the door. As soon as I shut it, Olivia pulled me down onto the rug, her lips brushing against mine aggressively. “You really love me?”
I slid the ring onto her finger, watching it gleam against her skin. “More than I knew I could, and I’ll never stop as long as I live.”
Her smile softened, her fingers trailing down my jaw. “Then show me.”
“I will. A thousand times, I will!”
And I did.
The End.