Page 68 of When Love And Destiny Collide

Before I can say more, I hear two familiar voices. "Noah!" Katherine and Loren exclaim in unison, their faces lighting up as they spot us.

"It’s so good to see you—and Davey!" Katherine beams, and Loren follows with a warm, “Hi, Davey!”

Davey is immediately swept away by his cousins, Tori, Holly, and Jon—who are close to his age—while Loren’s youngest, Peter, toddles after them, trying to keep up.

"We brought pie," I say, handing Sharon the box.

"The guys are in the backyard," she says, passing baby Adam to me. "I’ll put this in the fridge."

I head out to the back patio, where the mouthwatering aroma of grilled steaks, burgers, and hotdogs fills the air.

“Aaron, Adam, good to see you again,” I say, shaking their hands. The baby stretches his arms out to Adam, so I hand him over just as Jon approaches and pulls me into a hug. He then introduces me to Aaron's parents, Christina and Peter, and family friends, Laura and Charles Clay.

“You’re Lily’s investors,” I say, addressing Laura and Charles.

“Yes, it’s good to meet you,” Laura replies warmly.

“Lily’s really excited about the daycare’s grand opening,” I say, smiling.

“Enrollment begins next week, right?” Charles asks.

"That's right," I nod. "She’s been working nonstop to get everything ready."

As Sharon and Katherine begin setting the tables for lunch, Adam helps Jon plate the food off the grill.

I’ve been watching baby Adam and little Peter as they sit on a blanket nearby, playing with some toys. When Christina comes by and sits with them, I turn my attention to Aaron and Loren sitting across the table from me.

“Do you have any dinner plans for tomorrow?” Aaron asks. “Mateo and Lily are coming over, and we’d love for you and Davey to join us.”

“No," I say, offering a smile. "We don’t have any plans. Thank you for the invite. We'll be there."

"Great, dinner's at six," Loren replies. "I'm making salmon—a great source of omega-3 fatty acids, which support the baby's brain and eye development during pregnancy." She pauses and groans. "Oh, God, I’m starting to sound like Laila!"

Aaron laughs, a low, rumbling sound that makes me laugh too. I watch as he leans in to kiss Loren on the cheek. The man is completelysmitten. The word clings to my thoughts, pulling me back to the day everything changed with Lily—when a single word led to a look, a touch, and something I never saw coming. Do I regret it? Not for a second. It meant as much to me as it did to her. It meant everything.

"I know you're both close to Lily," I begin, shaking off the memory and feeling a sudden wave of nerves. "She’s told mehow much you’ve always been there for her, especially after her mother passed away."

Loren smiles while Aaron offers only a nod, his expression guarded.

"I’ve asked her to marry me," I blurt out, the words tumbling out faster than I intended. "And she said yes." I wait, and when they both fall quiet, I continue, "We’re both adults. We love each other, and even though we don’t need anyone’s permission, I hope we have your blessing." My heart pounds as my words hang in the air like an anchor in the deepest ocean.Good God, I am a writer.

Although quiet, neither of them looks surprised, which makes me think Lily has already spoken to Loren—or maybe both of them.

Aaron gives me a slight smile and extends his hand. As I grasp it, he says, "Congratulations."

"Thanks," I reply, noticing the lingering skepticism in his eyes. Time is all I need to prove to all skeptics that I’ll never hurt her and will love her for the rest of my life.

The setup for lunch is all the kids sitting at their own table with baby Adam using a highchair next to Katherine. I, for one, sit back and take in the dynamics of my family. Jon and Sharon’s marriage is as solid and loving as Mom and Dad’s was. Even after thirty-plus years, the way they still look at each other isthe very definition of romance—a love that’s stood the test of time and only grown stronger. My nieces radiate happiness. Adam and Katherine share a playful, affectionate relationship, their laughter and teasing constant since the moment I arrived, and they can’t seem to keep their hands off each other. I smile, watching them, knowing their bond is as fun and genuine as it is loving. Loren is shy, but the love she and Aaron share is palpable. They have a connection that's both tender and passionate, a quiet intensity that radiates between them. Aaron has a protective nature that reminds me of a knight in shining armor, always standing guard over the people he loves. But it’s his sweet, unyielding devotion that wraps around Loren like a soft, invisible shield. I catch glimpses of it in the quiet moments—when he leans in close, whispering, "You make me so happy" in her ear, his hand tenderly caressing her growing belly. They’re so lost in each other that they don’t even notice me watching, captivated by the love they share.

Six weeks ago, I would have watched a day like this with a pang of envy, wondering where I went wrong in my own relationship, fully aware there was nothing I could do to fix it. Meeting Lily has been the best thing that ever happened to me and my son, and now I only feel hope and certainty about the future we’ll build together.

The rest of the afternoon is filled with chatter, laughter, and love. A comforting realization settles over me: this is where we belong because the unity that holds this family together will be our foundation, carrying us through whatever challenges lie ahead.

Aaron's parents and the Clays leave shortly after lunch, followed by Loren and her family. Katherine and Adam are inside helping Sharon clean up while their boys nap. Meanwhile, Davey and Tori are still going strong, playing on the swings and excitedly discussing what school will be like this fall.

With everyone gone, Jon and I finally sit down for the conversation I’ve been dreading.

“Are you sure this is what’s best for you and Davey?” Jon asks, handing me a glass of iced tea. “It might be more than what Lily’s prepared for. And I’m not talking about the age difference or that you have a son. I’m talking about Marian.”

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