Page 92 of Make You Stay

I stiffen, wholly uncertain I want to know. Quirking a brow at him, I release a sigh. “Let’s hear it.”

Aidan frames my face with his hands, but his smile never falters. “It’s totally your fault, too, so youcan’tbe angry with me.”

“No guarantee.”

“It’s about having a baby.”

Great, here we go again.

“You want a baby, right?” Aidan presses.

“I do.”

“Well, we can’t just have one. They need a sibling.”

“They would have siblings. Three of them, actually.”

“Our baby would need one close in age. A playmate. Makes sense, right?” His smile widens. “I’m glad we got that settled.”

Got what settled?

“Aidan—”

“Don’t argue, Chloe. Just say yes and kiss me.”

“We’re doing this baby thing more than once?”

He considers my statement before nodding. “Yeah. I’m thinking twice.”

“Twice.”

“You’re arguing.”

“I’m negotiating.”

Laughter rises from the bar patrons, and I can’t hold back my smile.

“Are you marrying me or not?” When I stare into his emerald depths, there is such passion there, I fear I might catch on fire and never care that I was burning.

A laugh bubbles out of my chest as I jump into his arms. “Sure.”

“I love you.”

“You’d better.”

I claim Aidan’s mouth, feeling him smile against my lips. So, this is what real happiness feels like. The place erupts with applause, but I pull back with a start, realizing it isn’t just us in this family unit.

“Wait, what about the girls? What if they’re not okay with this decision?”

“Why do you think they’re here? Turn around, ask them.”

Pivoting, I catch sight of his daughters, all bright with smiles. “Are you okay with me marrying your dad?”

“I still don’t want to change diapers, but I love you, Chloe.” Emily, just like her father, lays it out there.

“You don’t have to change diapers.”

“Yes, they do,” Aidan interjects, shooting Emily a look. “We talked about this.”

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