Chapter 54
Chapter Fifty-Four
Decker
I get out of bed before Penelope.
She wasn’t as mad at my outing us by the time I got home, understanding that we couldn’t—and I wouldn’t—live in the dark anymore. Our life together comes before my contract, and she agreed—eventually. It might have taken a few orgasms to make her see the light.
Her dad called her and asked to have brunch next week, so we’re all going out, me as the new member in their crew.
Although it’s not official yet.
Which is why I’m grabbing my sweats and T-shirt and tiptoeing out of the room, trying not to wake her.
I head downstairs and go to my bag I left at the bottom of the stairs, digging out the box. Then I head back up the stairs just as quietly.
I twist the doorknob of Hazel’s bedroom door so the click is barely heard, and slip into her room. She’s asleep on her stomach, sprawled out as always. One of her legs is out of the blanket, her arms tucked under her pillow, and her hair a messy ball of blonde.
I kneel next to the bed, keeping the box in my free hand as I tuck her blonde hair away from her face. She looks so angelic and sweet, and I love her so much it hurts. She’s mine in every way that counts.
“Sweetie,” I whisper.
She doesn’t stir, which I figured would be an issue when I came up with this plan.
“Sweetie, it’s time to get up.” I nudge her a little.
One hand comes out from under the pillow, swatting at me.
I draw back and laugh. She peeks one eye open, then the other, before getting up in bed and crossing her legs.
She pushes her hair out of her face, and she looks awake.
It’s always surprising how she can go from dead asleep to fully awake. The energy is amazing.
“You’re home!” She leans forward and wraps her arms around my neck. “I’m sorry you didn’t win.”
“Thanks.” I hug her tightly, my hands running down her back.
I missed her so much. Sometimes I think retirement is the way to go, but I still want to play, and I have a few years left. I just wish they could always be with me. But I’m not going to dwell on that now because I’m off for the moment.
“Season’s over, so you’re stuck with me.”
She giggles and sits back up in bed.
“I have a question for you.”
Her eyebrows rise, and she looks so much like Penelope it’s almost jarring. I hope our other kids take after their mom too.
“What’s the question?” She pushes her unruly hair out of her face again.
I pick up the box and open it. “Will you be my daughter?”
She looks at the small flower ring, then up at me.
Her small hand reaches out to take the ring, but I shut the box before she can. “You have to answer first.”
She laughs. “Of course. I asked you first, remember?”
I shake my head, taking out the ring. “Very true. Now give me your right ring finger so I can put it on.”
I slide the ring on, and she lifts her hand to examine it just like I hope her mom will later this morning. “I love it.”
“I hoped you would.”
She throws herself at me, wrapping her legs around my waist and attaching herself to me like a koala bear. “I love you.”
“I love you… so much, Hazel.”
She squeezes me then draws back. “Does Mommy have one too?”
I shake my head, and she frowns.
“I was hoping you’d help me with that part.”
Her eyes widen with excitement.
So I tell her my plan, and I carry her downstairs to the kitchen to put our plan into motion.