Page 27 of One Night with my Best Friend's Dad

When we finally break apart, breathless and flushed, Mac turns my face towards the ice. “Look,” he whispers, his voice choked with emotion.

I follow his gaze, and my breath catches in my throat. The players are skating around the ice, each one holding a letter. As they come together, the letters spell out a message that makes my heart swell.

“I love you, Kelly. Marry me,” I read, my voice trembling with emotion.

Tears spring to my eyes as I turn to face Mac, who is watching me with a hopeful, nervous expression. “Mac, I—”

He silences me with a gentle finger to my lips. “I know it is early in our relationship. I know there’s a lot we need to figure out,” he says softly. “But Kelly, you are the most amazing woman I’ve ever met, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you. With our baby.” He reaches down and tenderly caresses the slight curve on my stomach. "Lots of babies."

My heart is overflowing with a million emotions, but I’m rendered speechless for a change. So, I simply nod, a massive smile spreading across my face.

Mac’s face lights up as he pulls me close, holding my body against his.

The arena erupts in cheers and applause. But as I look into his eyes, it’s just the two of us, lost in the magic of this moment.

When we finally part, Mac’s smile is wide and his eyes are shining with unshed tears. “Is that a yes?”

“Yes,” I whisper as tears spill down my cheeks. “Absolutely!”

Mac holds my waist and sweeps me off my feet, spinning me around. I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging to him, laughing.

He sets my feet back down on the ground, but his gaze turns serious. “I promise I’ll be there for you, for both of you, every step of the way.”

My heart swells. “I know,” I whisper. “And that’s all I ask for.”

Epilogue One

One Year Later - Kelly

As I smooth my hand over the soft satin of my wedding dress, the delicate lace trim hugging my growing baby bump, my dad pats the top of my hand.

“You look beautiful, Kel,” he says, his eyes crinkling at the corners as he smiles at me.

“Thanks, Dad. I can’t believe this is finally happening.”

“I have to admit, I wasn’t thrilled about this at first.” His gaze returns to the road as we approach the quaint little church. “But seeing you and Mac together, and meeting that precious grandson of mine...I know this is right.”

My throat tightens with emotion. “I’m so glad you feel that way. It means the world to me you're here to give me away.”

"I wouldn't have it any other way."

The car parks outside the church, and we step out.

I take a deep, steadying breath as I stare ahead.

This is it. The day I finally get to marry the man I love, the father of my child, and the one growing inside me. Mac and I had a conversation that he didn’t want our son, Pierce, to be an only child, and we agreed to practice right away for baby number two.

The church bells peel and my heart flutters with a dash of nerves and a lot of pure joy.

“Shall we?” Dad offers me his arm, his expression warm and proud.

I nod, linking my arm through his. “Let’s do this.”

As we approach the church doors, I hear the soft strains of the violin drifting out. My stomach flutters with butterflies, but it’s excitement. This is what I want, more than anything in the world.

The heavy wooden doors swing open, and all eyes turn to us. And then I see him…

Mac.

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