Page 45 of Kent's Honor
“You know how much I love my baby girl. But she’s not the only one I care about. Not only have I fallen head over heels for that sweet little boy of yours, but I love you. I want to watch the sunset with you in my arms and our kids by our side. I want to wake up the same way. I want to be the constant in yours and Nicky’s life.”
She stared at him with wide eyes. “Did you use the wordlovein reference to me?”
“I sure did.”
“Wow,” she whispered.
“Is that all you have to say? Are you going to leave me hanging like that with my heart in my hand?”
“Interesting place to make a major declaration. I thought something like would have been done after a nice ride into the sunset on your Harley.” She smiled as bright as the burning sky scorched with dazzling oranges and reds as the sun sprinkled its rays over the earth.
He wrapped his arms around her body, heaving her against his chest. “I’ve wanted to say it for days, but finding the perfect moment isn’t easy with two kids underfoot all the time.” He arched a brow. This felt right, and I couldn’t let another minute go by without saying it. So, do I get to hear the words back?”
“I don’t know. I mean, I feel like I need to write a six-page document on how to date a lady properly because you suck.” She palmed his cheek. “But you get an A for effort and yes, I love you right back.”
“Finally,” Elle said, appearing in the hallway with Nicky on her hip. “You two are painful to watch sometimes.”
“No one gave you permission to come out here.” Kent lifted Dixie’s chin with his thumb and forefinger. “Now go back in the waiting room because your father is going to do something gross.”
“Pleeeaassse,” Elle said. “You think you’re so good at hiding all your kissy-kissy moments from us, but you’re not. We see it all the time. And for the record, it’s mostly not gross. Now get it over with so we can go home.” She breezed past him, stopping at the elevator and glancing over her shoulder. “And we could make this all easier if the two of you would agree to live together. Sneaking around is childish.” The elevator dinged. “I’ll see you downstairs in the lobby.” She disappeared.
Kent dropped his forehead against Dixie’s and groaned. “Did my daughter just say all that?”
“She did. Looks like someone really needs to talk with her about the birds and the bees.”
“Perhaps that should come from the woman in her life.” He kissed Dixie’s warm lips.
“I’m happy to chat with her, but two perspectives are better than one.” Dixie took his hand and tugged. “Having a dad she can talk to about anything is a gift that only you can give her and it’s one she’ll cherish for the rest of her life.”
“I don’t know what I’d do without you,” he said. “It’s my honor to love you.”
EPILOGUE
TWO YEARS LATER…
Kent sat on the front stoop of the new home he’d bought for his family, twirling his wedding ring, staring at two envelopes next to him. Nicky, now five and about to start kindergarten, rode his big wheel around the cul-de-sac, chasing Elle. He couldn’t believe she was twelve. It seemed like just yesterday he was changing her diapers, and now he was fending off boys and watching her put on a tinge of mascara.
“Hey, you,” a voice sweeter than honey rang out from behind him. “You’ve been quiet all morning. What’s going on?” Dixie sat down beside him, resting her hand on her growing belly. In just four months, they’d be adding another child to their brood. His life was almost complete.
“The paperwork came to enroll Nicky in kindergarten yesterday.”
“Oh, good. I’ve been waiting for that.” Dixie tapped his thigh. “But I know you and that’s not what’s on your mind. What’s bugging you?”
“Nicky has been calling meDadfor over a year, and we’ve never told him otherwise.”
“Elle started calling meMom, and we don’t correct her. We decided to be a family, and that’s exactly what we are.” Shejerked her head. “Are you bothered by Elle calling me Mom? I know I can’t take the place?—”
“Sweetheart, it’s not that. The first time it slipped out of Elle’s mouth, it shocked me, but it warmed my heart and while I’ve never pressured her, I’ve encouraged it. She knows who gave birth to her. I’ll never take that away.”
“Neither will I,” Dixie said. “Are you feeling differently about Nicky? I don’t talk about his biological father, and I don’t want to. It’s a different situation,” she said defensively.
“I love Nicky. He’s my son in every way, which is what has me so quiet this morning.” He swallowed. Hard. He knew his wife and while she might agree with what he wanted to do, she wasn’t going to be happy with what he’d done. “I want Nicky to go into school with my last name. I want to officially adopt him.”
Dixie gasped.
He tilted his head. Her eyes grew teary. “We’d have to contact Daniel, and I don’t want to ever have that man?—”
He hushed her with a quick kiss. “I beg of you not to be mad, but I had a lawyer visit him in prison, and he’s agreed to give up his parental rights.” He rested one of the envelopes on her lap. “He’s signed all the papers. All I need is for you to agree.”
