Page 116 of Surprised By Love

One day she’ll become Samantha Prescott.

Chapter Fourty-Three

Sam

It’sbeentwoweekssince I returned from the hospital. When we walked in, the house was full of people and the dining room table was full of food.

Vicki, Becca, Jenna, Tiffany and Sloan were there as well as Josh’s parents, Lucas and Ethan and, of course, the kids.

It was like an open house. People from town stopped by throughout the day to see me and check on me, making sure the baby and I were fine. Many of the women brought casseroles and other dishes that could be warmed up quickly. So much food we wouldn’t have to cook anything for the next week.

No one let me lift a finger even after I argued I was fine and could help. They waited on me, hand and foot, and it was kinda nice. I could get used to that.

Josh has been so tentative and sweet. He’s been bringing me flowers and chocolates, and telling me every day how much he loves me. We went on a family date to the local bowling alley, and the kids had a blast. I did too; I don’t even remember the last time I went bowling.

Josh and I are now on our way to the cute little baby boutique I saw in Pineridge when I was scoping out Sweet Salvation. It’s this adorable little shop catering to all your baby needs and there’s a bassinet I saw in the window I just have to have. Josh promised me that anything I want for our little bundle of joy I can have and I need that bassinet.

As we turn the bend, I see flashing lights ahead. I sit up straighter, craning my neck to see if I can tell what happened. Fire trucks and police cars are blocking the road, and on the other side, a crowd of people are huddling together.

“Oh, no,” I say, as my voice trembles. Just being in an accident myself, I’m worried about them. “There must have been an accident. I hope no one’s hurt.”

“I hope not, but I need to check it out,” Josh says as he pulls off to the side and puts the car in park. He opens his door and comes over to my side, opening the door and helping me out.

I realize this is the exact spot I had the tire trouble on my way to Sunset Creek. The place I first set my eyes on the kindest, handsomest, most sexy man I have ever met. The man who is reaching his hand out to me. “Come with me. I don’t want you to stay in the car alone. You’re safest by my side.”

I take his hand and walk towards the crowd of people.

As we get closer, I notice a few familiar faces. Now I’m worried. Was someone I know hurt? But, as we take a couple of more steps, the crowd parts, making way for us. I look up at Josh, my brows knitted together.What on earth is going on?

We walk through the parting people when the last row parts and my heart stops.

I swear it literally stops as I see Amelia, Emily, and Jake standing there with signs in their little hands. I can’t read the words from where I’m standing, so I glance around and notice every person here is someone I know. What in the world?

Josh pulls me closer to the kids when I see Vicki, Becca, and Jenna standing off to the side with Josh’s parents and brothers. Then I look back at the kids and read the signs. Amelia’s sign saysWill You,Emily’s saysMarry Me. My eyes thick with unshed tears, I look at Jake’s sign. The biggest one, it says,and be our Mommy?

My hand flies to my now open mouth as the tears fall from my eyes. I turn to look at Josh, but he’s not there. I look back at the kids and Josh is on one knee in front of me. The kids have moved up and are standing right behind him.

“Oh. My God,” I gasp. My left hand covers my tear-soaked right hand.

Josh smiles the biggest smile I have ever seen. “Samantha Elizabeth Langfield. I know we have had our ups and downs, but the past couple of days have made me realize how stupid and stubborn I’ve been.”

The crowd laughs, and Josh shakes his head and clears his throat. “It’s true. I won’t deny it, but as I was saying. When you told me you were pregnant, I freaked out. I was worried history would repeat itself. I know it was stupid. My brothers had a few choice words for me about how stupid I was, and my mom reminded me if you love someone, you do anything you can to make it work. When you got into that accident—I thought my worst fear was coming true. I was going to lose the best thing that has happened to me in such a long time.”

I wipe under my eyes with the tips of my fingers and the crowd of people is completely silent as Josh continues. “Sam. I never thought I would love again. Love took me by surprise, and I love you more than I ever imagined possible.” He reaches into his jacket pocket and pulls out a blue box, opens it and my eyes go wide.

It is the most gorgeous diamond ring I have ever seen. A princess cut diamond with 2 smaller diamonds on either side set in a rose gold band.

My hands tremble as he takes the ring out of the box and holds it up to me. “Sam. Will you make me the happiest man in the entire world and marry me, and be the mother to my children, present and future?” he asks, looking at my stomach.

I nod my head, the tears now falling fast. Then I realize I haven’t said yes yet. “Yes. Yes. Yes. I will marry you and it will be an honour to be a mother to your children.”

Josh stands and slips the ring on my finger and lifts me up off the ground, spinning me around as the crowd cheers.

When Josh finally places me back on the ground, he cups my face with his hands and kisses me. Tears are still falling from my face. The kids run to us, and I squat down with open arms as all three of them rush into them.

“Are you really going to be my mommy?” Jake asks, a big smile on his face.

“If you want me to be.”

---