Page 138 of Johnathan

“And I didn’t even know.”

“Nope. We sneaky!” Katy laughed, reminding John of the next part of the night.

“Okay, ladybug. Are you ready to ask your question?”

“Yes,” she whispered, suddenly looking down at the ground.

John turned and pulled his daughter into his arms. “If you’re not ready Katy, you don’t have to.”

“I wanna! I wanna ask too!”

“Okay. Go ask then.”

“Abby?”

He watched hisfianceedrop to her knees and hold her hands out to his daughter… totheirdaughter.

“Yes, Katy?”

“I wanna…” she brought her shoulders up towards her ears and her face turned bright red. “Can I call you ‘Mommy’ now?”

Abby’s eyes jumped to John’s, filling with tears as his own throat felt tight with emotion. She quickly looked back at Katy.

“You…you want to call me ‘Mommy’ now?”

“Yes! You do my princess hair, and bake cookies with me. You kissed my boo-boo and help me with night-nights. You kept me safe. Mommies do that.”

“You’re right, Katy. Mommies do that. And do you want to know a secret?”

“Otay,” she whispered in reply.

“I’ve always loved you just how mommies love their babies. And now that your dad and I are getting married, it means you’re officially my baby, too. It would mean everything to me if you called me ‘Mommy’.”

His daughter turned back towards him, her face beaming with the brightest smile.

“She said yes, Daddy!!”

“I knew she would.”

“Why are all the lights?—”

“Congratulations!!” The lights came on in Nellie and Tom’s living room, and Abby’s whole face flushed.

“Welcome to the family!” Grace ran to give her a hug. “This is the best news.”

“I’ve always wanted a little sister,” Jackson was the next to offer her a hug.

“Hey! I’m happy to share her, but she’ll always bemylittle sister.”

“Sam? Mom? Oh my gosh, everyone really is here!”

“We wouldn’t miss this baby,” her mother laughed. “Should I tell you now or later what I saw in my cards when John came to ask if he could propose?”

“You asked my mom?” She turned, searching his face.

“Of course. I needed her approval for the ring.”

“He asked me, too,” Sam added. “I’m happy to report my heart took it a lot better than when I found out about you dating. Even if the reveals were only a few weeks apart.”

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