Page 112 of The Grump I Loathe
“You’re happy?” she asked.
“So,sohappy,” I said, setting Eddie back on her feet. “You know how badly I’ve wanted to give Grace a sibling.”
“She’s going to crush this big sister thing.” Eddie swept her hands through her hair. “I’m going to be a mom!”
“You are,” I said, taking her in. She was wearing a dazed look, as if she still hadn’t quite processed the shock. “And you’re okay with that? I know this wasn’t something we’d discussed yet. It’s okay if you’re scared. Or if you feel like you’re not ready.”
“Oh, I’m terrified as hell,” Eddie said, pressing her hand to her belly. “But it’s sort of an excited terror.” She glanced up at me, laughing. “Is that weird?”
“It’s not weird,” I said, tugging her closer.
“I’m going to be a mom,” she said, softer this time, awe on her face. “I really want to be a mom.”
“And you’re going to crush it,” I said, pressing my forehead to hers. “Because you’ve done a remarkable job looking out for Alannah.”
She smiled at that, tilting her head. “You’re really sure you want this?”
“I do,” I promised, a smile tugging at my lips. “I want to grow our family, Eddie. I want to do it all over again. The diapers and the late nights and the first steps. And I want…I’d been planning…” I rubbed at my face, laughing. “Christ, I always do this out of order, don’t I?”
“Do what?” she asked, frowning.
I darted to the side table, pulling out the ring box I’d stashed there before Christmas. I’d thought about proposing a million times since then, but the timing never felt right. Maybe I’d needed this moment. What moment was more perfect than the one when I’d learned I was going to be a dad for the second time?
I popped the box open, the sapphire winking at me as I sank down to one knee.
Eddie caught her gasp behind her hand. “Connor?”
“The streaks in your hair were the color of sapphires when we first met,” I said. “I’ve always thought blue was your color.”
Eddie’s jaw trembled.
“Edith Sheppard,” I said, clearing my throat. “The last time I did this, I was terrified. I wanted so badly to do the right thing, even though I had no idea what the right thing was. But I’m not afraid this time because I finally know what I want.”
“Connor,” she said softly.
“And that’s you and this baby and this perfect little life we’ve created together.” I took her hand in mine. “We don’t have to get married now if you don’t want to. We can be engaged for as long as you want. We can get married tomorrow or wait until after the baby is born or wait twenty more years, if that would make you happy. Big wedding, small wedding, Vegas wedding with a sequin-covered Elvis impersonator—whatever you want, because I love you, and all that matters to me is that I get to spend the rest of my life with you. So,” I said, holding the ring out, “will you marry me?”
Eddie’s lips twisted, fighting off a watery smile. She wiggled her finger at me. “I think I will.”
I laughed, sliding the ring on her finger, then jumped to my feet, catching her face in a breathless kiss.
“Can we have retro video games at the wedding reception?” Eddie asked, pulling away slightly.
I nodded. “Give me a list, and I’ll get every last one.”
She grinned. “Maybe we should keep the pregnancy a surprise and roll the baby out at the reception? Oh my God, imagine how epic that would be!”
“That…feels like a logistical nightmare,” I said. “Sooner or later, you’ll start showing, and I don’t know how we hide you away for the next however many monthsandplan a wedding.” I chuckled at the thought. “My mother would sniff us out immediately.”
Eddie hummed. “You’re right. Maybe we should do a cute pregnancy announcement instead. You know, like ‘new player loading.’” Her eyes widened. “Ooo, I’m definitely doing that!”
I laughed. “Deal. Maybe we can buy Grace a tiny game controller when we tell her.”
Eddie sank into the circle of my arms. “Love that idea.”
“I loveyou,” I said.
“Love you more.”
