Fair Lakes Series Box Set - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,78

both of them. I don’t know how to handle not being able to make it better.

“I love her.” I rest my forehead against Winnie’s belly, and she runs her fingers through my hair. “I love both of you. I know the doctor said that it was okay, that lots of women get gestational diabetes. I heard her say the words, but that doesn’t quell the worry that consumes me. It doesn’t diminish this demand for me to protect both of you. The only problem is I don’t know how to do that. I don’t know what to do to help you, and it’s making me crazy.”

“It’s common. I just have to eat right and take care of us.”

“What can I do, Winnie? I hate feeling helpless. You’re going through all of this to bring our daughter into the world, and I’m just sitting by idle.”

“You support me, Harrison. Every day you’re here. You pushed yourself back into my life. You knew that what I needed was you. You’ve never once shied away from me or this baby. You love us unconditionally, and that’s what I need from you. I need to know that you’re here. That even though I’m carrying her, I’m not in this alone. I know I can lean on you and I’m sorry that I didn’t. I don’t want us to lose this, this newfound connection that we have. I love the life we’re rebuilding, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Sure, it’s unorthodox, but it’s only ever been you, Harrison Drake. You are the love of my life. You are the man who stands tall next to me, no matter what. The man who drills my doctor with questions for concern for me and our unborn child. That man is doing everything he can to take care of his family.”

Lifting my head, I see the truth in her words. I see the love in her green eyes and know this is it. “Gwendolyn Drake, I want to grow old with you. I want you by my side, always. Will you marry me?”

Tears fill her eyes as she nods and says, “Yes.” She bends down and presses her lips to mine. It’s a soft kiss, mixed with the saltiness of her tears. “A thousand times yes,” she says, pulling out of the kiss. “I don’t want to make this a big deal. I just want to go to the courthouse and make what’s in our hearts official.”

“I never should have signed those papers.” My heart is soaring, racing so hard I fear it might pound right out of my chest. Relief washes over me, knowing she’s truly mine, for the rest of our lives. I’ll never take her for granted ever again. She and our children—because baby girl needs siblings—will be my priority until I take my last breath.

“We were both stubborn and thought we were giving the other what we wanted. I never want to go back to that. I’m sorry for not telling you.”

“Now I know, and we’ll take this one day at a time together. We can sit down and figure out a good exercise regimen that is healthy for you and the baby, and meals, we eat healthy most of the time. Although, now I get why your gallon of chocolate milk in the fridge is still full and about to expire.”

“Yeah, I miss it.” She pouts. “But it’s for her.” She rubs her belly affectionately. “I can do and will do anything for her.”

“It’s for both of you. This affects more than just the baby, Winnie. This is about both of you.”

“I know that. But Peanut and me, we have the key to success. Everything is going to be just fine.”

“Oh, yeah, care to enlighten me?”

She cups my face in her hands. “We have you.”

The emotions of the day, the fear, the worry, and now hope wash over me, forming a lump in my throat. I don’t speak, but I wrap my arms around my family and hold them close, praying I can be everything they need. Now and in the future.

Chapter 16

Winnie

“I’m getting a little mad that you haven’t asked for my help yet,” my sister says when I enter the gym. The music is loud, a deep beat pulsing through my blood instantly.

“Mad? Why?” I ask as we sign in at the front desk and head toward the locker room.

“The wedding? Duh!” Gabby sighs dramatically.

I roll my eyes and open my locker, setting my purse inside. I grab one