Page 128 of Hello Doctor

Dad reached over and rubbed my shoulder, continuing toward the two loves of my life. “You get to decide now if this is a dead end or time for a turn in the right direction. I’ll support you either way.” He stopped several yards away from Fletcher and Maya, and I stared at them through the windshield, not believing they were here.

Just the sight of Fletcher in his jeans and button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled was a balm to my heart. And Maya was so precious in her shorts and tank top and cowboy boots. I’d missed her so much, and it had only been a couple days.

“Go on,” Dad said. “You at least need to hear him out.”

My heart raced jauntily in my chest as I got out of the truck and walked toward them. “What are you doing here?” I asked.

Maya grinned at her dad. “We have a question for you, Livvy.”

My lips parted as I stared from her to Fletcher. “What?”

Fletcher reached into his pocket, then knelt in the dirt. Maya got to her knees beside him, and she took the top off the box, revealing a ring I recognized.

I covered my mouth. “Your mother’s ring?”

Fletcher said, “I know I’ve messed up a lot in my life, but letting another moment go without you isn’t going to be one of my mistakes. Maya, me, you, we’re a family, and I want to make the kind of family that never breaks up, the kind that’s there for each other through it all.” He looked at Maya and nodded.

Maya smiled up at me as she put her arm around her dad. “Will you marry my daddy?”

Tears flowed down my cheeks as I stared between the two of them. But I had to ask a question of Fletcher before I gave my answer. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

“I’ve never been surer of anything than I am of my feelings for you, Olivia Griffen. I’ve loved you since I was a kid, and I know that’s never going to end. I’m sorry it took me a little while to realize that’s exactly why we should get married. If that’s still what you want.”

Maya nodded quickly at me, mouthing,Say yes.

I let out a tearful laugh. “Of course I’ll marry you.” I went to hug them both, holding them tight and knowing I had more than a family. I had a home.

66

Fletcher

Liv’s dad got out of the truck, whooping and cheering for us.

As we broke apart from our hug, Maya said, “Does that mean I get to call you Grandpa Jack now?”

Jack picked her up and said, “Of course it does, kiddo.”

She hugged his neck, grinning, and I swore I’d never felt happier than I did right now.

“Let’s go back to the house,” Jack said. “I’ll put some steaks on the grill, and we’ll celebrate.”

Liv and I agreed that sounded like a great plan. We rode back with him, and while Jack had Maya help him get the food ready, Liv and I went up to the bedroom to call everyone to tell them our good news.

Della screamed so loudly, I thought my eardrums might break.

I swore Tyler and Henrietta were both crying for us from the amount of sniffles coming through the phone.

Gage immediately offered to pay for our honeymoon as a wedding gift.

My dad said, “It’s about damn time.”

Rhett whooped and hollered for us.

Knox said, “How’s it feel to know I dated your girl?”

Liv popped off, “Better than knowing my future brother-in-law bailed on our date.”

“Water under the bridge,” Knox returned.

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