Page 107 of Knocked Up in Alaska

“Thanks. Bet you’re excited to get your cottage back.”

He laughed. “Times change. I don’t think that little cottage is going to suit me much longer, but I’m glad you got some use out of it.”

“I owe you so much for letting me have it all summer. If you sell the cottage, I promise there’s always room for you at the inn.”

“Thanks, Lilah. Whoops, better get up there. Rose is signaling for you.”

At her mom’s signal, Mad paused the jukebox. “Bouquet time!” she called to the crowd as Lilah made her way to the bar. She took the wild iris and white lily bouquet from her mother, then started to turn so she could toss the bunch over her shoulder.

“Hold up,” Ford said. “Let’s improve your throwing distance. I’m having nightmares of that thing landing in Mia’s arms.” To the rest of the room, he said, “You all back up.” Next thing she knew his hands were at her waist, lifting her onto the bar. With fingers linked, he anchored her as she turned her back to the room. “Everybody ready?”

Hearty affirmative sounds rose behind her.

“Okay. Here goes!” Blindly, she let it fly.

She heard some movement, some jumping…the scuff of heels on hardwood, and then a collective gasp followed by silence. Intrigued, she turned to see who’d made the catch.

Her mother stood in the middle of the crowd of women, scowling and holding the bouquet as if it was a feral cat. Ray started to laugh.

“Not funny,” her mother snapped. “You think this means I’m going to marry you?”

Still laughing, he crossed to her and took her in his arms. “I think it’s a good sign.”

“First you get me pregnant and now you think I’m going to marry you because a bunch of flowers land in my hands? Shows what you know, ignorant man.”

From up on the bar, Lilah drew in an audible breath. “Mother, you’re pregnant?”

Rose threw up an agitated hand. “Yes. Ha. Ha. Mother is pregnant. Surprise. Big surprise for all of us. Mother will have a baby younger than her first grandbaby.”

“But…you’re not married,” Lilah gasped as if scandalized. The grin she couldn’t quite hide ruined the effect. Responding to her light tug on his hand, Ford helped her down from the bar.

“Trying to fix that,” Ray interjected.

Rose aimed narrow eyes at him. “A bunch of flowers flung in my direction is not a marriage proposal. You want to marry me, get a ring and ask properly.”

“Well, okay then. I will,” he said, agreeably, and pulled her in for a kiss.

Applause erupted in the bar. Ford hugged her to him. With lips by her ear, he murmured, “Hey, Mrs. Langley, how about we head up to the honeymoon suite and get a start on a younger niece or nephew for your brother or sister?”

She skimmed her lips over his jaw and then whispered, “In one day you got yourself a wife, a daughter, and a future sister or brother-in-law. It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?”

He nuzzled her neck. “Mm-hmm. A lot to hold on to.” So saying, he wrapped her in his arms, took her hand, and held it so the bar lights bounced off her gold rings.

“Too much?”

“Nope.” Eyes twinkling, he rested his forehead against hers. “Turns out I’m really good at holding things.” Flexing his arms, he pulled her in a little tighter. “I’ve got unlimited capacity.”

“Is that so?”

“It’s a fact. You, Mia, Shayla, any and all of your siblings, and as many of Shayla’s as the fates see fit to send us. I plan to hold on to all of you.”

“That’s good,” she said and wrapped her arms around him, “because we’re going to hold onto you, too. Forever.”

Then she sealed her lips to his, because forever started now.

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