Page 141 of Selfie

It’s just the truth.

“I love you too, babe.”

I continue flipping through the pages, one by one. I glimpse a lot of firsts for Nathan, Elise, and Claire. It’s like watching their story come to life. It’s bittersweet that Elise found love, only to leave it too soon. But at least she had it. I’m so glad that after Peter, Elise had the kind of love she deserved.

When I flip to the next page, there’s no picture. Just four photo corners surrounding an empty rectangular space. Beneath, a caption reads:The day she said yes.“What is this? Are you missing a picture?”

“Claire’s idea. We’re manifesting. The moment hasn’t happened yet.”

The “she” isn’t Elise… It’s me.

I sit upright, meeting him with big, round eyes. Excitement flutters in my chest as my breathing quickens. “Nathan Hatcher, are you proposing to me?”

He holds up both hands. “Whoa, calm down. Yes.”

“What?” I balk, instinctively smoothing my hair and wetting my lips. I’m still in pajamas this morning, but who cares. It’s fine.

“But,” Nathan adds loudly, “not today. Not like this. But yes, Spencer Riley-Brenner. I want you and your sassy mouth forever. I’m sure of it. I’d put a ring on your finger today, but the girls will kill me. It’s sweet. They want to be very involved in the proposal plans.” He raises his brows. “Expect a balloon arch and colored silly string.”

Joy bubbles up in my chest and spills out as laughter. “I’ll take it.”

“What I wanted to ask you earlier… When I make you my wife, can I adopt Charlie, too? I’ve had my legal team look into the logistics. There are some hoops to jump through, but with your okay?—”

“You have my okay.” I try to smile at him, but I’m overcome with emotion. “Thank you.”

“What’s wrong, baby?”

I hold my face, enjoying the energizing feel of cool fingertips against my warm cheeks. “Since my mother died, even through my past relationship, I always had this familiar feeling. And now it’s gone.”

Nathan’s face fills with concern. “What aren’t you feeling? What am I not giving you? If you tell me, I’ll try?—”

“Nathan, the feeling wasalone.And now it’s gone.”

He pulls my hand from my face and kisses each of my knuckles, dolling out extra kisses on my ring finger, like he’s making a promise. “Never alone again,” he murmurs.

We enjoy the sweet quiet for a while, just sitting together, enjoying each other’s warmth. But a commotion from the guinea pig cage disturbs the serenity.

“Spike,” Nathan gripes. “Leave her alone, man. She just gave birth.”

He scolds Spike who is trying to mount Babe, but struggling to get around the babies who are providing a protective shield around their mother.

“She’s in heat again.”

“What? No way. She just popped out a litter.”

I rack my brain trying to remember the details from the guinea pig documentary Charlie made me watch. “Pretty sure she can get pregnant again in just a couple hours after giving birth.”

The smile falls dramatically from Nathan’s face. “You’re kidding me.”

“Nope.”

Nathan rises in an instant. He flings open the cage and scoops Spike right off of Babe’s back. “Oh hell no, you horny little rat. Our entire home is going to be crawling with your spawn.” Nathan waltzes out of the guest room with Spike in hand.

“Where are you going with Spike?”

“He’s grounded,” Nathan calls back. “Separate rooms from now on.”

I hold my ribs as I giggle, feeling gleefully full in all the right places.

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