Page 7 of Bound

“What is all this?” Kara turned, looking for me. I was bended knee behind her with a ring box in my hand.

Once she realized what was happening, she gasped, covering her face because she was also crying. My heart pounded in my chest.

“Kara Ricci, will do me the honor of being my wife and step-mom to Rose?”

“Oh my god. Yes! A million times, yes!” She squealed with happiness as I slid the ring on her finger.

Everyone cheered in response. I stood and hugged my fiancée. That was a weird word to think about.

“I’m a fiancée.” She showed off her ring to everyone. She kissed me again before looking at Rose. “You kept this secret from me?”

“Yes.” Rose giggled.

“You little stinker.” Kara tickled Rose, causing her to laugh uncontrollably.

“Okay, everyone, let’s eat. That includes you, too, Susie. Sit down and eat.”

Kara was beaming, and all the ladies were in awe of her large engagement ring. Kara would have never picked something so big out for herself. I didn’t have to get a big ring for her, she would have been happy with something small. I just wanted to show my appreciation, and she was pregnant with my baby. She deserved to be spoiled. Her belly was popping out like happened overnight. But she glowed and it made me so happy. Rose was excited to be a big sister as well.

“Monday is a big day,” I announced to the table. Since the DNA test came back, it was confirmed I was Rose’s father. “We are signing papers to have legal custody of Rose.” Everyone clapped. “And Kara is signing papers to legally adopt Rose.”

Our friends and family were happy for us. And with all that was happening, it only seemed fitting to actually propose to Kara and make it official.

“It’s all happening so fast, but that’s how we do it,” Kara beamed. “I also have a baby to deliver and a wedding to plan. So, it looks like this upcoming year will keep me busy. Enough about us. I want to know what is going on with everyone else. I haven’t seen you all since Halloween. Tell me everything.”

That was the thing about Kara. She never liked the attention always on her. She always wanted to know what was going on with everyone else. I sat back, looking at my fiancée, my daughter and all our friends and family. I felt happy. My heart felt full.

Chapter Five

KARA

I walked over to straighten Damon’s tie. “Are you ready for today?” he asked.

I smiled. “Yes. Are you?” That was the question. Was Damon truly ready to be a father full time? “I don’t know much about kids, but I know they are a full-time job.”

“I know. I’m ready as long as you are doing it with me.”

“I’ll always be by your side, Damon. No matter what.”

“Do you promise?”

“I promise.”

He leaned in to kiss my forehead. My eye caught a glimpse of a little human in the doorway. And I had to laugh.

“It looks like someone is ready,” I said then looking to Damon.

“Why don’t we put on one of your pretty dresses?” I suggested, picking Rose up to carry her.

She nodded in response. In her room, I sifted through her closet and reached for a frilly dress. It was definitely one of her fancier ones. “We have to look good when we go to court. We’ll be in front of a judge.”

Rose was still quiet for the most part. Even though she didn’t talk much, she showed her love for us with her facial expressions and with hugs and cuddles.

“Maybe later on we can go get our nails and toes painted. Would you like that?”

“Yes!”

“Okay. Let’s go so I can finish getting ready and you can show Daddy your dress.”

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