Page 138 of Undone

I reached over and pulled her close, wrapping my arms around her. “Maybe more than kind of,” I said, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “I might be a little obsessed with you.”

“He really,reallylikes you, Noah,” Gracie said. “And so do I.”

Her eyes shone with love, and a lump formed in my throat. I was so damn lucky to have her, to have both of them—my girls in a town that truly felt like home.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, I realized that despite everything we’d been through, there was a new beginning waiting for us. A chance to create memories, to heal from the past, and, most importantly, a chance to love each other without fear holding us back.

I glanced over at Noah, taking in her bare feet and the butterfly tattoo that still sat inked on her skin.

“You know, you could always get it removed,” I suggested. “If it bothers you.”

A long sigh escaped her lips. “For years, it meant something to me, only me. It was about me learning to gain my independence and freedom from my parents. Now, after everything that’s happened, its meaning has only grown. It’s a reminder of all I’ve endured and everything I’ve become.”

A smile tugged at my lips as I took in the girl who changed my life in ways I could never have imagined. That tattoo no longer represented his twisted vision of salvation. She emerged from the shadows he cast, and this mark on her skin reflected her triumph over the past. I was so damn proud of her.

I could only think about how I wanted her to be mine forever.

“Daddy, wait!” Gracie said, jumping up, a little ball of energy. “Can I show Noah the paper now? You said we had to wait for the perfect time, and this feels super perfect!”

Noah’s brow furrowed, and I just nodded at G. She rushed inside and returned moments later with a piece of paper clutched in her hand, her eyes shining with excitement.

She turned to Noah with a big grin. “It’s a note! A super special note I made. Well, Daddy said the words, but I wrote them all by myself. He didn’t even have to help! But he’s been making me waitforeverto read it to you.”

“Okay…” Noah said, eyeing us both.

Gracie handed her the paper, then took a seat beside her, her hands clasped together as she waited.

Noah unfolded the note, her brows knitting together.

“It says… Noah, will you marry my dad?”

The air seemed to still as she turned her gaze to me, her lips parted in shock.

I reached into my pocket, pulling out the small velvet box I’d been carrying for weeks. Opening it, I revealed a delicate band with a sparkling diamond that caught the light.

“Noah,” I said, my voice steady despite the pounding of my heart, “you’ve brought laughter and light into places I thought would stay dark forever. You’ve given Gracie a friend, a mentor, and a mom. And me… you’ve given me hope again. Will you marry me?”

Noah’s hand flew to her mouth. “Yes… yes, I’ll marry you,” she said, cutting me off with a knowing smile.

“You really want to marry me?” The words slipped out, as if I was surprised she’d actually say yes.

“No, I want to marry your brother,” she teased, laughing as she shoved me playfully.

“Colt?”

“I think Sawyer’s more my type, actually,” she joked, her eyes twinkling.

“Is he single, though?” I asked, playing along.

“I don’t think either of them are.”

Gracie squealed with delight, throwing her arms around Noah. “Does this mean you’ll be my mommy now?”

Noah hugged her tightly.

“Yeah, G. I think that’s what it means,” I said.

Gracie pulled back, her little face beaming with pride. “Can we have ice cream? This seems like a good time for ice cream,” she said.

I laughed, feeling my heart swell. “Want to go to Scoops and celebrate?” I asked, glancing at the two of them.

“I’ll never say no to ice cream,” Noah replied with a grin.

We piled into the car and headed for the ice cream parlor. Listening to Noah and Gracie chat away, it seemed like they had always known each other. Like Noah was the missing piece to our puzzle all along.

The shadows of the past were receding, replaced by the warmth of hope, love, and the promise of a future I never thought I’d be lucky enough to have.

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