Page 144 of Mr. Broody

“You’re gonna need to get down on one knee with a ring, buddy. I didn’t wait this long to get engaged to have my proposal be in a hospital room, with bedhead and swollen eyes.”

He laughs and squeezes my hand. “Will you move in with us?”

I nod. “Yeah.” A tear runs down my cheek, and I wipe it away. “God, these happy tears are killing me.”

He raises his hand and shoos mine away. “That’s my job.” He wipes the tears from my face as we stare at one another.

If he’s thinking the same thing I am, he’s marveling over the fact that after all these years, we’ve finally arrived here.

Bodhi wiggles, and his eyes open, focused on me.

“Look who’s here.” I nod toward Henry.

He turns his head, and a relieved sigh slips out of him. “Daddy!”

“Hey, bud. Broken arm, huh?” Henry acts so cool about it.

“Yeah, Jade came up with this game where she lays pillows on the ground and these animals are chasing or swimming after us. I tried to save her from a killer whale.” He frowns. “I shouldn’t have jumped.”

Henry glances at me. “I don’t know, I’d probably dive into killer whale waters to save her too.”

“Then you would have broken your arm,” he says.

Henry nods. “Yeah, but I’d have it no other way. But I do think Jade’s pretty strong and could probably save herself too.”

I smile at Henry, and he winks at me.

“She made these protein banana pancakes.” Bodhi cringes and shakes his head as if I can’t see him.

“Hey, you said you kind of liked them,” I tease.

Henry laughs. “I guess I’ll make the pancakes, and Jade plans the games?”

“Yep.” Bodhi nods and looks between both of us. He picks up my hand and places it over his stomach, then puts Henry’s hand on top of mine. Then he covers them with his own and smiles.

I have no doubt we’re on our way to that happily ever after people talk about, but I’m also sure there will be some roadblocks or speed bumps along the way. Hey, that’s life. It’s who you travel the road with, not the smoothness of the ride.

Epilogue

Henry

“Are you all packed?” I peek my head into Bodhi’s room to find him trying to zip his suitcase closed. I wink, and he smiles, nodding.

We’re heading to Holland because that’s the place Bodhi picked. He wants to see the sunsets there. I wasn’t opposed because I really want a do-over where I’m on that plane to Holland with Jade.

I return to the master bedroom and find Jade struggling with her luggage also.

“I think I overpacked,” Jade says, trying to get her suitcase off the bed.

“What do you have in here?” I lift it for her and put it next to mine on the floor.

We’re not leaving until tomorrow, but we wanted to make sure we had everything ready to go tonight because we’re heading to Reed and Victoria’s to celebrate the end of the season. At least that’s what Jade thinks we’re headed over there for.

Sadly, we didn’t win the Cup like most predicted, but we made it into the final round. I know next year is ours. At least, I hope so.

“Ready?” I ask, wrapping my arm around Jade’s waist and kissing her. “I can’t wait to travel with you. Our first big trip.”

“Are you sure Bodhi will be okay on a flight that long?” She wipes her lipstick off my lips with her thumb.

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