Page 81 of The Charming Checklist
Max found it interesting that he’d lied to these people when he’d first met them, and yet that lie had become the truth. He wasn’t sure they’d ever tell her parents how they’d originally started out. Besides, if the Doctors Long ever saw his first list, they might castrate him. And he wouldn’t blame them. He’d have done the same should that have been his daughter.
He’d have to say one thing was for certain: Falling in love? Definitely the way to go. Oh, hell yeah. Every morning he woke feeling like the luckiest man in the world. He and Ava were going to make this relationship work forever because losing what they had was intolerable. Late one night in bed, she’d brought up something Ava called “negotiations.” He’d never heard of anything like that before, but it was kind of cute.
Ava had grabbed a pen and paper. “Okay, I know you want children right away.”
“Ava, we really don’t have to—”
“Yes, we do. I want you to be happy.”
“I am happy.” He grinned, lying back, hands splayed behind his neck. A few minutes ago, he’d made them both very happy.
She scribbled something on the paper, biting her lower lip thoughtfully. “Can you give me two years?”
“Two years for what?”
“Before we start having babies.”
His jaw dropped. Knowing Ava wasn’t even thirty, he’d been prepared to wait it out. More important to have children with the woman he loved than to have them on some exact schedule. Yeah, so he’d learned a few things along the way.
And two years didn’t sound like long at all.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. I want babies too, you know. As long as they’re yours.”
He squinted. “You want a grumpy little Max?”
“He won’t be grumpy if he’s my son, too.”
“Thank God for that.” Max tugged her into his arms. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, but we’re not done, mister.” She went back to her list. “Now, about SAT prep. I refuse to allow it to start in fifth grade.”
“That’s an easy one to agree on. What about science camp?”
And on they went, covering everything from organized sports to how soon their children would be allowed to date. For someone who didn’t like to plan, Ava had done a lot of it with him, far into the future. Then it hit him that she was already compromising, because of him, and he fell in love a little deeper.
“And...marriage?” she asked a little shyly, not looking up from the paper.
“I’d marry you tomorrow,” he said. “It’s going to have to be up to you.”
“Well, there has to be a proposal,” she said.
Right.
And that brought him to tonight, and the real reason Dr. Long and Dr. Long had been invited. Ava didn’t know that he’d cleared it with them beforehand and asked for her father’s permission. A little old-fashioned, yes, but it had earned him some serious points with both Doctors Long. It hadn’t surprised him to learn that her parents wanted only the best for their daughter and had simply been concerned to see her struggling. No longer. They believed Max Del Toro was one of the best things that had ever happened to their daughter.
The diamond solitaire had been purchased in a hurry. It had set him back quite a bit, but was worth every penny. The words had been practiced, both alone and with Cole and Adam, who had tips from their own experiences. But, frankly, he would wing it. That had already served him well once.
Adam brought out the turkey on a platter, and the rest of the crew followed with the pies, bread rolls, stuffing, potatoes—enough food to feed a small village. Everyone took their seats, Sub lying under the table to catch scraps, and Adam began to carve.
“Who will say grace?” Mrs. Villanueva asked.
“I’d be happy to do it.” Mr. Finch stood.
Max cleared his throat. “Actually, may I?”
“Of course, son,” Mr. Finch said sitting back down.
