Page 12 of Summer Kisses

“Angels in the Outfield.” She says bouncing into the living room, after putting her plate on the counter by the sink.

“Where did you see that?” I ask. That movie came out when I was fourteen. By rights, she should have no idea what the hell that is.

“Ty. It’s her favorite movie.” That is unexpected, but it makes sense as she was raised by her older brother. Ryder is about my age and a good friend of mine. Which reminds me, I should go and see him tomorrow and get his permission.

“Alright. Angels in the Outfield it is. Go set it up while I do the dishes. You want popcorn?” I ask.

“Duh.” She says, turning back to the DVD player.

“I’ll be right in. We need to discuss my plan for asking her to marry me.”

Tomorrow is going to be a big day for this family.

???

The next night, I am anxious to make her mine. Every so often, I feel the little velvet box in my pocket. My discussion with Ryder went about as well as I expected it to. All he said was it was about time, and then we shared a beer. At eight-thirty, I set my plan in motion.

“Bedtime.” I say to V. She jumps up, a little too enthusiastically for a kid going to bed. I have to hide my smile.

“Ty? Will you read to me?” She says right on cue.

“Of course, Vick. Go get in your jammies and I will be right in.” She says picking up the various toys on the living room floor.

Since we have been together officially, I haven’t kept a thing from her. All I have wanted to do all day is tell her. I went and saw my mother this morning. She gave me my Gran’s engagement ring. I think that it says a lot that I didn’t give it to Jennifer.

I think that it is insane that I ever thought I loved that conniving woman. Fifteen minutes in Verity’s presence blew that out of the water.

Jennifer’s betrayal with Tom broke me. For a while, I thought that I would never trust another woman again. We were on our own for a long time, then Verity swooped in and answered my ad. Since that day, I have been working towards this moment. It was solidified by the way she is with Victoria. All year, I have been hovering near her, keeping guys away from what was mine. I should have claimed her that first day, but I didn’t want to do anything that would upset V. She has been through so much in the last few years. It’s amazing how much Verity has helped V throughout this year.

About halfway through their current chapter of aSweet Valley Twinsbook, V stops her when I move into the doorway. I see my two favorite girls snuggled in bed together, looking five kinds of adorable.

“Will you be my mommy, Ty?” Victoria asks in a tiny voice.

Verity’s head snaps up and she calmly closes the book. She sits up quickly.

“Vick, sweetie. You know you have a mommy. I could never replace her. It wouldn’t be right.” She pats her hand.

“Yeah, but she didn’t want me. You do.” V turns on the tears.

Damn, I feel like this started out as a game for her but shit just got real.

“Daddy says you should be ours.” She sniffles and sits up. Her expectant look makes me smile.

“Does he?” Her eyes find mine. I move towards her and drop to my knees next to her.

Here goes nothing…

Chapter Eleven

Verity

Igasp, looking at the beautiful ring in Donnie’s hand. I feel hot tears run down my face as I look at both of them, the man that I love more than anything and the daughter of my heart asking me to be theirs. I sniffle.

“I would be honored to be your mommy, Victoria. I love you more than all the stars, babycakes.” She breaks down, throwing herself into my arms.

“You're going to be my mommy. Daddy, that means she is going to be your wife.” She says matter-of-factly as she looks at her dad. I look up at him and he has tears in his eyes.

“Of course, I will marry you D. That's all I have ever wanted.” I hold out my hand and he put the simple yet elegant diamond ring on my finger. He puts his arms around us and pulls us close.

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