Page 65 of Clara's Secure Hideaway

“The kids and I had a nice long talk while we were by the water. I asked them if they’re happy,” Heath said.

“We are,” Davey and Avery both said over giggles.

“And I asked them if they think we should make this thing permanent,” Heath continued.

“We do!” They both jumped up and down.

Heath pulled a ring box from his pocket and dropped to one knee.

Clara sucked in a breath. Tears blurred her vision but there was no mistaking the pure joy radiating from the kids’ faces.

“I’ve waited my whole life to find someone like you,” Heath said. “You’ve not only shown me what true love looks like, but you’ve given me a family. I want to be with you for the rest of my life. I want to be a father figure to Avery and Davey. I want to make all three of you officially mine. Davey and Avery already gave me their blessing, so now it’s up to you. Will you be my wife?”

Avery tugged at her shirt. “Say yes, Mama.”

“Yeah,” Davey said. “Make Heath our dad.”

“Well give me a second to talk, please.” Clara shot her kids a wink before mirroring Heath’s position and falling to her knees. She didn’t want to be above him in this moment. They were equals in all ways, all the time. “The last few months you’ve showered me with more than I thought I deserved. You’ve given me space to heal and to grow and to be the best version of myself. You’ve captured my heart and my soul. You’ve opened yourself to Davey and Avery and showed me a side of unconditional love that melts me daily. I want nothing more than to be your wife.”

Heath gathered her in his arms and captured her mouth with his.

The kids cheered and clapped.

Chuckling, she pulled back and let Heath slide the square cut diamond onto her finger.

“All right, munchkins,” Heath said, opening his arms to them. “Family hug.”

The kids slammed against them, almost knocking them off balance.

“Can we call you Dad now?” Davey asked.

His earnestness turned Clara’s insides into mush and her heart grew impossibly larger.

Unshed tears in Heath’s eyes glimmered brighter than her new diamond. “You sure can, buddy.”

Overcome with happiness, Clara held her family tight, determined to never let them go.

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