Page 87 of Stolen Hearts

She hesitated. What she had to say would surely bring on a flood of tears.

“If you want to talk about what happened…back at the estate with Ravencroft—”

Surprise washed over her. She shook her head. “No. I wasn’t thinking about that.” She already knew that Justin and Ravencroft were both rotting in jail cells for what they did.

Something unreadable passed through his eyes. Eyes that their daughter shared. “Then what is it?”

She reached for her glittery clutch bag sitting on the deck railing. Her hands trembled harder as she fumbled with the clasp. She pulled out a folded sheet of paper.

When she lifted her gaze to Denver, his stare intensified. “I have a surprise for you.”

He took it, curiosity clear in his expression as he unfolded the page.

Recognition hit immediately.

He blinked, then blinked again. His throat clicked when he struggled to swallow down the emotion.

“Navy’s birth certificate,” he said slowly.

She nodded. “I had it updated. You’re listed now. As her father.”

His hands tightened around the paper. “But how? I’m not alive on paper. Unless…”

She nodded. “You are now. You’re not a ghost anymore. Instead of un-alived, you’re re-alived. So I had her last name officially changed.”

His eyes slipped shut, and he gripped the paper tighter, as if afraid he’d drop it or all that it meant would go up in smoke. “I’m officially Navy’s father.”

“You always were, Denver. But now it’s real in every way.” Her throat clamped off, and the tears swam in her eyes. She held them wider, hoping the breeze would dry them out before her makeup got ruined.

“This… Rhae, this means so damn much to me.”

He stared down at the paper as if seeing something sacred. He was silent for a long beat, then he folded the paper and slipped it into the inside pocket of his tux jacket.

“You gave me more than a surprise.” His voice was hoarse. “You gave me a life back.”

Her throat ached at the passion in his voice.

He cupped her face, pressing a slow, deep kiss to her lips that seemed to anchor them both to the earth. When he pulled away, his thumb brushed over her lower lip like he didn’t want to let go.

“I have something for you too,” he murmured.

Her eyes widened slightly. “You do?”

He reached into his tux pocket again and pulled out a small black velvet box.

Her breath stalled.

He opened it.

Inside sat a delicate ring—an oval diamond set in a vintage-style band, flanked by two smaller stones. Not oversized. Not flashy. Just beautiful.

Rhae’s knees almost gave out.

“I know this isn’t traditional,” he said quietly. “And maybe the timing is crazy. But I’ve never been more certain of anything. I love you. I love our daughter. I want to build a life together, not just exist in one.”

“Denver…”

“I’m not asking for a perfect future. Justours. Messy, real, beautiful. Will you marry me?”

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