Page 217 of Small Town Firsts

“A witch like Marnie!”

Tatum giggles. “No, Mama.”

The three of us continue tossing out suggestions until finally her bedroom door opens and they emerge.

I let out a little gasp when I see my girl and Alden dressed in matching chef whites. “I wanted to be like Daddy!” she exclaims, and I swear to God, Alden looks so proud.

My voice is heavy with emotion. “I think that’s perfect, Tater Tot. Absolutely perfect.”

“Tell her what else, pretty girl,” Alden urges.

Tatum’s eyes go round, and she dashes back into her room. When she returns, it is with an apron clutched in her grasp. She thrusts it toward me. I take it and shake it out, my eyes honing in on where the wordsSous Chefare embroidered.

“Oh, I love it! It’s—” My words die in my throat when I glance up from the apron. Alden is down on one knee. Oh, my God. Is he…

“Nat, I’ve known you my entire life, and I’ve loved you just as long in one way or another. Every day, my love for you grows and we’ve had enough missteps and missed time. Be my sous chef for life…my love, my partner at home and in business.”

I try to contain my sobs, but it’s a fruitless effort. Tears stream down my cheeks and my knees buckle, bringing me down next to Alden.

He drops down and pulls me into him. “Make me the luckiest man on this planet and say ‘yes.’”

Tatum crawls onto my lap and hugs us both. “Yeah, Mama. Say ‘yes.’”

I nod. “Yes! Oh, God, yes!” The three of us stay on the hall floor wrapped in an embrace until the sound of Alden’s parents’ muffled tears remind me that we’re not alone.

I’m the first to pull back, pressing a chaste kiss to Alden’s lips, followed by one to Tatum’s cheek before standing. After a round of hugs and a few more tears; I stand, loop the apron around my neck, and tie it at my back.

“Oh, one more thing!” Alden exclaims, sliding his hand into his pocket, retrieving a small velvet box. “The ring!” He flips open the lid, revealing the most beautiful emerald cut cushioned yellow sapphire on a platinum band encrusted with tiny little diamonds. It’s truly breathtaking.

Alden takes my left hand and slides the ring onto my finger. A whole new bout of tears starts—this is every childhood dream I ever had, coming full circle. “I love you with every ounce of my being, Alden Warner.”

He grins and takes my hand in his. “I love you too, soon to be Mrs. Warner.” He reaches down and ruffles Tatum’s hair. “Now, let’s go score some candy.”

EPILOGUE

ALDEN,TWO YEARS LATER

“I look like a whale!” Natalie laments from behind the closed bathroom door.

I smirk, knowing damn well shedoes notlook like a whale. Her belly is barely rounded with our second child—a boy. She looks sumptuous and glowing, and so damn sexy I can hardly stand it.

“Open the door and let me see.”

I hear her huff. “No. You’ll just tell me I’m beautiful.”

“That’s because youarebeautiful.”

“Ugh! Alden!”

She sounds so frustrated, and like the ass I am, I smile. Thank God she can’t see me. “Small Fry. You’re the love of my life, and, to me, you’ll always be beautiful. Even when you’re wrinkly with gray hair and tits that sag to your belly button.”

She laughs, and my chest swells with pride. The only sound on earth that comes close to comparing is Tatum’s giggle. “Okay, fine. I’m coming out.”

She steps out. As predicted, I’m right. She looks like a goddess. Her hair is styled in those waves that all guys love because they look like sex hair. Her makeup is muted, excepther lips, which are a bold red. The flowing, champagne-colored dress she’s wearing hugs her chest, pushing up her breasts, and glides over her belly. It’s long enough that the hemline touches the floor, but knowing her, she’s going to rock some ungodly heels that I’ll undoubtedly imagine digging into my back all night long.

“Well?” she asks, nibbling on her candy-apple bottom lip.

I fist my hands at my side to stop myself from touching her. I know if I don’t keep my hands to myself, I’ll destroy her carefully crafted look, and since Tatum’s with a sitter, it’s an all too real possibility.

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