Page 127 of That One Heartbreak

He’d had a fantastic time at junior firefighter camp. When she’d picked him up with Addy and Ethan – Marley had stayed behind because they were short on volunteers that weekend thanks to a bug that was sweeping through the station – he’d looked like he’d grown up. Like a man.

She’d never felt more proud.

Another bonus of camp? He’d decided he definitely wanted to go to college before becoming a firefighter. “A lot of the instructors said a college education is a good thing,” he told her breathlessly, like she hadn’t been saying the same thing to him. “They think I should go.”

Next year she and Marley would take him to tour some colleges. Then during his senior year he’d apply. He was growing fast, her first son. And she was so happy to see him bloom.

She opened the door to see all three of her children waiting for her. Addy was jumping up and down with excitement. Jamesjust smiled at her as Ethan took Kate’s hand. “Mom, we all made this,” he said solemnly. “But you get to decide if you want it.”

She turned to see the structure built at the center of the grassy lawn. This time it was a pergola, formed from whatever iron Marley had managed to find, welded together in a circle then painted white. There were pink flowers twisted around the iron from the base to the circular roof, making it look like it belonged at a wedding venue, not in their backyard.

And then she saw him. Marley. Wearing his dress uniform, on one knee in the center of the pergola, a ring in his hands.

“We planned this,” Addy said, her voice an octave higher than usual. “We kept it a secret, didn’t we, Marley?”

“Yeah, we did.” He winked at her.

“He’s going to ask you a question, Mommy,” Addy said breathlessly.

“Add, let him speak,” James said, scooping his sister up in his arms. “Remember what we planned?”

“I remember. I just want it to happen now. Please.” She was jumping with excitement.

Ethan was still holding Kate’s hand. His arm was healing well, thank goodness. The doctor was pleased with his progress. He had to keep it covered until it was completely healed, and once it was, he’d have to wear sunscreen all year round.

But he was playing ball, going swimming, doing all the things he loved doing. And last week he and Marley had gone to choose a new grill. They’d talked about whether to get one at all after what had happened. But it was Marley who suggested they let Ethan choose. The two of them had gone out for the day, and come back with a small but perfectly formed gas grill.

And last night they’d cooked smores on it and Shana had come over, cuddling Ethan and telling him how proud she was of him. And even though he’d squirmed as she kissed his cheek, he’d looked secretly happy.

Now her youngest son was leading her over to the pergola, like he was a proud father walking her down the aisle. Then he took her hand and gave it to Marley, before stepping back to join James and Addy.

“Go on then,” Addy shouted.

Marley’s eyes caught hers and they both smiled. Damn, she loved this man so much. “Kate, James, Ethan, and Addy,” Marley said, looking at each of them in turn before bringing his eyes back to Kate’s face. “This summer with you has been the happiest few months of my life. I love every single one of you more each day. I smile when I wake up because you’re part of my life, and I pretty much sleep as soon as my head hits the pillow because you all wear me out so much.”

Kate laughed, because this was so true. He was constantly running around the yard with them. Sure, he went home each night – or at least he’d pretend to.

Half of those same nights he’d climb in through her window like the teenage delinquent wannabe he was.

“And I want you. Every one of you. To be mine.” His voice cracked. “To be my family. And that doesn’t take away from your dad, because you’ll still be his, too.”

He looked at Kate. “Kate, will you do me the absolute honor of my life by agreeing to be my wife?”

A tear rolled down her cheek. “Yes, please.”

“Do you agree?” he asked the children. “Do you agree to be partially mine, too?”

“Yes!” Addy squealed. “Yes!”

“I do,” Ethan said solemnly.

James just smiled. And that was enough to tell her what she needed. Marley would be more of a friend than a father figure. But that’s what her oldest needed right now.

He’d come along at the right time, this man they hadn’t realized they needed. He was the final piece of the jigsaw puzzle of their lives. He completed them.

Marley stood and slid the ring onto her finger. It was so simple yet so perfect. An emerald, cut square, in a white gold setting. She lifted her hand to look at it before Marley pulled her into his arms. His mouth was warm and soft as he kissed her. “Jesus Christ, I’m gonna sleep for a hundred years after this one,” he told her.

“I’ll run you a bath,” she said. “And you can consider me officially and completely wooed.”

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