Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82279 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 411(@200wpm)___ 329(@250wpm)___ 274(@300wpm)
"Didn't even wake up," I confirm. "Oh, but that weird hospital band they had around her ankle is gone." It's actually an alarm monitor that'll go off if someone tries to take her.
"What?" she screeches. "They're not supposed to remove that until we leave."
She sets Kaylee between her legs and unwraps the blanket to look for herself.
"It's not miss—" The words die on her lips when she notices the diamond ring on Kaylee's toe. "Payton."
When she turns to face me, I'm already on one knee.
"You are not proposin’ when I look like I've been through a tornado," she exclaims.
Gently, I grab her hand and smirk.
"You're the most beautiful I've ever seen you, sweetheart."
"Don't lie to me." Tears well in her eyes.
Laughing with amusement, I reach over and take the ring. "You're my best friend and the love of my life. I'd never lie to you. But I do have a question to ask."
The dam breaks, spilling down her cheeks. I wipe them away before pressing my lips to hers.
"Marry me? And be mine forever."
Breathlessly, she furiously nods as she chokes back more tears. I cup her face and slide my tongue between her lips. Then I slip the ring on her finger.
"It's gorgeous, babe." She holds up her hand and admires it. "I can't believe you did this."
"I bought it a year ago," I admit.
She snaps her gaze to me. "I wasn't even pregnant a year ago..."
"I know."
"Was it for someone else?"
I scoff. "Hell no. I was checkin' out the jewelry store in town for a watch, and when I saw it, I just knew it was meant to be on your finger."
"What were you plannin' to do with it? Just randomly drop down to one knee and hope for the best?"
I chuckle, sitting next to her on the bed while she gets Kaylee situated back in her blanket.
"I was tryin’ to find the nerve to talk to you about the night of your brother's wedding and decide if risking our friendship would be worth it. I'd already had a battle goin' on in my head long before that, but it was right before you mentioned sperm donors. When I saw it, I knew you'd love it. It's stunning, just like you."
"So you bought it in case we started dating?"
"Yeah, I guess you could say that. Or maybe I'd keep it for the guy you ended up with and let him give it to you. I just wanted you to have it. Even if I wasn't the one giving it to you."
"Dammit, Payton Jamison, don't do that." She squeezes her eyes closed, but tears stream down her face. "I can't control them today." She shrugs, aggressively wiping them away.
Smiling, I lean down and kiss her. "I didn't say I wouldn't have wanted to punch the bastard, but your happiness is all that’s ever mattered."
"I'm glad you're that bastard instead," she muses, causing me to roar with laughter. "I love you."
"I love you so goddamn much, baby."
Once I take Kaylee in my arms, I sit in the rocking chair next to the bed.
"Who do you want to tell first?"
"I kinda just wanna wear it and see who notices. Maybe we should place bets on who we think will notice first."
"Oh, then I'm a hundred percent puttin' money on your grandma. She'll see it sparkling a mile away," I say.
She snorts. "I wouldn't doubt it, honestly. But I gotta pick Maize."
I hold out my hand, waiting for her to shake it.
“And what are the stakes?” she asks before taking it.
I think about it for a few moments. “Diaper duty for a week.”
Her hand bolts forward to take mine, and I grin wide.
“Deal.”
"It's on, baby mama."
"You're goin' down, BD!"
EPILOGUE
KAITLYN
ONE YEAR LATER
“Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday, dear Kaylee and Harlow. Happy birthday to you!” the guests sing in unison.
Hadleigh and I each hold up a mini cake with one candle so the girls don’t burn themselves.
“Wait, sweetie,” Hadleigh says softly when Harlow tries to reach for the flame again.
“And many more,” Payton and I sing together, helping Kaylee blow out her candle.
Since the girls are only a week apart, we decided to celebrate with a joint birthday party. Kaylee taps the tray when I scoot her high chair closer, and Hadleigh does the same so they can taste their cakes. Like little savages, Kaylee and Harlow grab fistfuls, but most of it ends up on their face and in their hair instead of their mouths.
“Their cheeks are gonna be stained pink for a week.” Payton looks at the mess as I take pictures.
I laugh as Grandma Bishop tries to take a photo with her giant iPad.
“Want a pic with them?” Payton asks her.
“Thank you, dear. Swear you're the only one takin’ my hints.”
I scoff. “I woulda helped ya!”
“Me too,” Hadleigh adds.
“Well too late,” she says, handing Payton her tablet. My parents along with Hadleigh’s mom wait impatiently for their photo ops with the girls as Grandma leans between the two high chairs.