Page 153 of The Surrender
“Stop it.”
“Oh, please.”
“No.”
“What’s going on?” Rach asks, looking between us.
“Nothing,” we sing in unison.
“Spoilsport,” I mutter, but my indignance is forgotten when Jude comes round the back of the couch, bringing his arms over me and lowering Evelyn back onto my lap. “Oh, she’s dre—” I gasp, pushing my back into the couch, trying to get away from my brand-new daughter, like she’s just turned into a monster. “What the hell?” I breathe, staring at her cute little romper.
Jude appears in front of me. On his knees. He smiles. “Well?” he asks. “Will you?”
My eyes drop back down to our baby girl, who has a question emblazoned across her romper.
Will you marry Daddy?
“Oh God.”
Jude produces a ring.
“Oh God!” I pick Evelyn up and cradle her to my chest, the tears brimming in my eyes. Everyone is smiling, all attention pointed this way. “You all knew?”
“Yes, they knew,” Jude confirms. “I was going to take you to see Mum and Dad, but little missy here decided to come early. So here we are.” He takes my chin, directing my face to his. “On my mother’s memorial. And now our daughter’s birthday.”
“Jude,” I whisper, tears trickling down my cheeks.
“That’s not an answer.” He shuffles closer, holding the ring out, his face so gorgeous and perfect and hopeful. “I dare you to say yes, Amelia Gracie Lazenby.” His voice drops to a murmur. “I fucking dare you.”
I choke over a sob, and he smiles, slipping the ring onto my finger before crowding me and kissing my tears away, moving down to my mouth. “I fucking dare,” I whisper against his lips, breathing every bit of him into me, wondering how we went from staying the night to staying forever. With a baby girl too.
It’s a stupid question.
Jude Harrison is how.
And accepting his indecent invitation, surrendering to him, was the best decision I’ve ever made.
