Page 136 of A Dream for Daphne

Two Months Later

“I can’t believeI’m on a beach on Christmas Eve,” Daphne said.

“It’s not exactly warm,” he said.

“It’s sixty-five,” she argued. “It’s close to zero back home. This is great.”

“Not bad for your first real vacation then, right? Though you did say that you visited Aster for a week earlier in the year before you moved.”

Abe grabbed her hand and threaded their fingers together as they walked along the beach.

It wasn’t very crowded and that was fine with him. He didn’t want it to be for what he had planned.

“I did have a nice vacation visiting Aster. I know I said I’d never had one before but didn’t count that and should have.”

“You didn’t think it was one because you were so stressed about your life and worried about things,” he said. “You don’t feel that way anymore, do you?”

She turned her head to look at him and smiled. “Surprisingly, no, I don’t. A year ago I never could have imagined the life I’ve got now. I feel as if it all fell into my lap and I’m going to appreciate it daily.”

“As you should,” he said. “I’m a damn good catch.”

“You are that,” she said, winking at him.

“Glad you think that,” he said, swinging their arms like kids might do.

She laughed. She had been much more carefree in the past few months.

Her parents didn’t seem fazed over being told no to money, yet ended up in the place they wanted anyway.

All Abe could do was shake his head and be thankful he had the upbringing that he had.

He wanted to be able to give her that life. The one he had and the one they could have together.

Something he’d been looking for in all the wrong places in his life and luck was on his side in the casino over six months ago.

Just not the luck he thought he’d get when he walked in that night.

“You’re being silly again,” she said, laughing when he added a skip to his step.

“I feel like a kid here right now,” he said. “It’s nice to feel that way.”

“I can only imagine what you’re going to be like as a father.”

“I can’t wait,” he said. “I’m a big kid, but you can handle me.”

“I can,” she said, smirking.

“Then stop moving,” he said.

“What?” she asked.

“Let’s just stop right here and look around.”

“What are we looking at?” she asked, her head moving around.

“I’m looking at you,” he said, dropping to one knee in the sand. “Hope you’re looking at me too.”

“Oh my,” she said. “Is this really happening?”

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