the sob that slips past my lips. Ava sits on his knee.
He kisses the top of her head before turning back to me. “I want to marry you, Laken. I want to be your husband, and I want to be Ava’s dad. Marry me, please.” Chance pulls out a princess cut diamond on a platinum ring. He slides it onto my ring finger.
I drop down to my knees and throw my arms around him and Ava. “I love you,” I whisper quietly.
“I love you too, baby.”
Ava’s not one to be ignored and puts her arm around both of our necks. “I wuv you bof.”
“I can’t wait to start our life together.”
We get up and accept hugs and congratulations from everyone. Chance Sr. takes Ava from us. “Your dad and I just talked, and we want to take you guys out to celebrate this momentous occasion. Welcome to the family.” He kisses my cheek and then tickles Ava’s side before he sets her down, and she runs to my brother who is talking to Bree.
This has been the best day ever.
Chapter Twenty-eight
Chance
Three months later
I pull my keys out of my pocket and, before I can stick the key in, the door flies open, and Ava launches herself at me. “Daddy, you home.” About a month ago Ava started calling me Daddy, and it made my heart swell. Being her father these past three months have been the best.
It scared me at first. I was worried I was going to screw this up, but Laken assured me she was still learning herself. We are all adjusting to our new life. I’m loving my job and have enjoyed many of the perks that our available to me. Plus, I get to wear jeans every day unless I have a meeting.
Ava loves going to her daycare/preschool at Nike headquarters. I’m not surprised that she’s charmed everyone there. I love the days she goes because I usually grab her and take her to lunch and sometimes go for walks.
Laken is only working part-time right now as a diabetic educator at the local hospital. She likes it, but she really wants full-time. Our apartment is okay, big enough for the three of us right now, but both of our parents have talked to us about buying a house, and they gave us money that we’ll use for a down payment.
We want to wait until after we’re married, which is going to happen next summer. We decided we’d give Oregon two years, and if we don’t like it, then we’re moving back to California.
“How’s my girl? Did you and Mommy have a good day?” I set her down once I step inside. Wow, something smells good.
“We did. We made you basagna.” Ahh … that’s what smells so good. Laken is a phenomenal cook, and everything she cooks taste delicious and is healthy. Shit, I’ve never been healthier.
In the kitchen I find my beautiful fiancée pulling the lasagna out of the oven and sticking the bread in. She’s been teaching herself how to make bread, so all of our bread is made by her.
“Hey, honey, how was work?” She tilts her head back so I can kiss her, which I do.
“It was good, but I’m glad to be home. Can I help with anything?”
Laken shakes her head. “Everything is ready. I’m just waiting for the bread.” I can read her like a book, and she seems nervous. “You okay?”
“I-I’m good.” She smiles and pushes at my chest. “Go relax. I’ll call for you when it’s go time.”
I walk into our bedroom and change into a t-shirt and basketball shorts. In the living room Ava’s dancing to the music coming from Laken’s iPhone. “Wook at me, Daddy.”
I pick her up, taking her little hand in mine, and we start dancing around the room. She smiles so wide, and I can’t help but to return it. When the song ends, I give her a smooch on the cheek.
Laken watches from the opening of the kitchen. There is no hiding the tears that slide down her cheeks. I pull her into my arms. “What is it, baby?”
“You’re a really good dad, Chance. Thank you for giving her that.” She rests her forehead against my chest. “I have something to tell you.”
“Baby, you can tell me anything. What’s going on?” My heart beats wildly in my chest. What if she’s about to tell me she wants to leave and go back to California?
“R-remember our first night here? Your parents kept Ava at