Page 202 of Need You To Choose Me

Savannah smiles. “Love you too.”

With another nod, Savannah goes toward her car, once again looking back at us. I lift Poppy’s hand and wave at her as she pulls out of the driveway.

“Can I hold her now?” Levi begs.

“Why don’t you go and grab a blanket, and you two can play together.”

“Okay.”

He runs toward the porch and grabs a blanket, bringing it to us. I help him spread it out and put Poppy down. Levi joins her, that stuffed elephant he got her in his hand, and she wiggles her arms to grab it. That plushy was one of her favorites, and Levi took great pride since he was the one who picked it out for her.

“You good, buddy?”

“Yeah, I’ve got her, Dad.” He leans down and brushes his nose against hers. “Right, Pop-Tart?”

Poppy purses her lips and blabs something, which has Levi giggling.

With one last glance at the duo, I push to my feet and join Daniel. I show him how to change the oil before we call it quits for the day.

Grabbing a bottle of water, I hand it to him before taking a sip from mine.

“Are you planning to propose to Savannah?”

I choke at Daniel’s question, some of the water spilling down my chin.

Shit.

Levi looks up from the blanket. “Dad and Sav are getting married?”

“I…” I glance between the two boys. “What are you talking about?”

Daniel rolls his eyes at me. “You can’t tell me you haven’t thought about it.”

Only every moment of every day; I just didn’t know the best way to bring it up. It was hard toeing this line between being a father to them and a man who was desperately in love with a woman. But my children came first, always, and I knew Savannah wouldn’t have it any other way.

“How would you feel about it if I asked Savannah to marry me?” I ask tentatively, watching for their reaction.

“Fine.” Daniel shrugs. “Savannah is cool. Maybe a bit too cool for your old ass.”

“I’ll give you old.” I ruffle his hair, which only makes him laugh. It’s a sound that’ll never get old. “But seriously, would you be okay with that?”

“Does that mean Sav will be our mom?” Levi asks softly, his gaze falling down to Poppy, who’s kicking her chubby legs.

Dammit.

I didn’t see that one coming. Although, maybe I should have. Daniel and Savannah had a good, friendly relationship, but he was different. Older. Levi was a whole other story. He was just a boy who lost his mom and wanted to love somebody—wanted somebody to love him. And Savannah did exactly that. She filled the void Reina left when she disappeared without a backward glance. She loved and cared for them like they were her own. And in her heart, I knew they were.

Going to him, I sit down by his side. “If Savannah and I marry, that would make her your stepmom, yes.”

“But she’s Poppy’s mom,” Levi points out as Poppy grabs one of his fingers and brings it to her mouth.

“Yes, she is.”

He purses his lips, a sad smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “I want her to be my mom, too. Do you think she’d want that?”

My throat feels tight. I meet Daniel’s gaze over Levi’s head, a trace of that old anger on his face before he manages to school his features.

I open my mouth, unsure of what to say, but Daniel’s faster, his voice coming out raspy. “You should ask her.”

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