Page 154 of Until I Have You

Yes, something is on my mind!Obviously, something is on my mind.I suppose I should be heartened that she can’t see through me, but I can’t help the mounting terror as we wind through Central Park toward Wagner Cove, a private rocky outcrop on The Lake where a small gazebo and all her family await us.

“I’m fine, darling,” I tell her, though I’m not particularly convincing.

Abigail frowns, about to respond, but her attention is pulled away when she sees Bonnie pull off down a path.“Bonnie!Where are you going?”

She releases my hand and goes after my daughter without a second thought, filling my chest with warmth.

Bonnie might not be Abigail’s in a biological way, but she treats her with all the care and attention a mother would.

I follow more slowly, knowing that Abigail is going to stumble upon the site before I arrive.That’s just fine.I want her to get acclimated, want her to get a moment with her family.

After Abigail made amends with Edwin and Sonia, the rest of her family came out bit by bit on separate visits to patch things up with her.I think part of this was due to Edwin’s encouragement.His acceptance of our relationship has meant the world to all of us.

If she hadn’t made these amends, the proposal would have had to wait.I would never have rushed things when the foundation was still rocky.

However, as I round the bend and see the path lined with all of Abigail’s family members, I am so, so grateful I didn’t have to wait.

I’m making her mine.Today.

Abigail stands at the head of the path, scanning the faces of her family with confusion.“What on earth…”

Bonnie is beside her, holding her hand.My girls.Together.

I take a mental picture, to keep this moment in my memory forever.

Bonnie shakes Abigail’s arm.“You like it?”

“I…” Abigail doesn’t even know what she’s looking at.Despite all the white sashes and flowers decorating the gazebo and the presence of all her family, the shock is still settling over her.

I go up between the two, sliding my hand into Abigail’s.Abigail’s eyes shoot to me, expression trembling with shock.“I’ll take it from here, Bon?”

Bonnie smiles and nods before going to Edwin at the end of the path.

“What’s going on?”Abigail asks as I start to guide her further down the path.

“I think you have an idea, love,” I tell her through a chuckle.

As we walk, we are lavished with smiles and affection from her family.

Bridget reaches out to touch Abigail’s arm with love while her brothers eye me and give me nods of respect.

I’ve done my own work with the Lyons family.Bonnie and I have attended weekly dinners since Edwin and Abigail reconciled, meaning I’ve grown my own relationships with all of them in a new way.Not only as Edwin’s best friend, but as Abigail’s partner as well.

I know Abigail loves me.But she is her own person.Has her own thoughts about how things should go.And if I’m going to respect her as a person, that means respecting whatever answer she gives to my proposal.If she says she’s not ready, I have to accept it.

However, Abigail is leaning on my arm more and more as we approach the gazebo, like my closeness is keeping her upright.

When we pass Edwin, Abigail’s eyes linger on him.“Dad?”

He grins.“Yes?”

She reaches out to him for a one-armed hug, a tear threatening to fall down her face.“Thank you.”

Edwin embraces his daughter fully, seeming at peace as he presses a kiss to the side of her head.

Once she’s released from his embrace, we continue down the path to the wooden gazebo.

The lake wavers, glistening with the colors of the sunset.The setting could not be more perfect.

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