Page 81 of Christmas Homecoming Secrets
She grinned. “You’re a real daddy. Real daddies put the gross worm on the hook for their little girls.”
Bryce wasn’t sure whether to laugh or not. He caught Jade’s gaze once more and saw tears standing in her eyes. As well as a good dose of humor. She smiled and swiped a stray tear. Bryce held his arms out to Mia, and she let him pick her up. “I’ll bait any hook you want, kiddo.”
She kissed his cheek. “I’m glad you’re my daddy.”
“I am, too, Mia.”
And then he couldn’t speak as his emotions threatened to overwhelm him, but Jade slipped a shoulder under his arm, and he held her close while dropping a kiss on Mia’s head.
Finally, he managed to push words past his tight throat. “I thought I knew what I wanted and what I didn’t want, Jade. The truth is, I had no idea what I really wanted until you told me Mia was mine.”
“And this is what you wanted?”
“This is exactly what I wanted. And I’m beyond blessed to have it.” He kissed her while Mia giggled. “I just have one thing left to say.”
“What’s that?”
“I love you.”
EPILOGUE
Christmas Morning
Jade slipped down the stairs of her parents’ house, her bare feet silent on the cold hardwood, but relishing the feel of it under her toes.
The Christmas tree stood tall in the den, decorated with strands of popcorn and homemade decorations.
She walked over and looked out the window. Her home was gone. First burned, then bulldozed to leave a clean slate for a new building. She should feel devastated, but right now, she simply felt blessed and thankful to be alive. And doubly thankful that her family was safe and here to celebrate this beautiful day with her.
It had snowed last night, and the world of white in the predawn morning greeted her.
Warm hands slid over her shoulders and she smiled, leaning back into Bryce’s arms. “How was the guest bed mattress?”
“Comfortable and warm. I appreciate your parents for letting me use it. I really didn’t want Mia to beat me to the tree.”
She laughed and turned to see Sasha sniff at the gifts under the tree, then lumber over to her gigantic bed near the fireplace. “Sasha feels right at home, doesn’t she?”
“Of course.”
She turned. “I love you, Bryce.”
A sheen coated his eyes for a moment before he blinked. “I love you too, Jade.”
Her heart stuttered with gladness before settling down to beat a little faster.
“So, I have a question for you.”
Butterflies swirled in her stomach. “What’s that?” she asked. He dropped to one knee and Jade sucked in a deep breath. “Bryce…are you doing what I think you’re doing?” she whispered.
“Shush, you’ll make me mess up the moment.”
“I’m shushed.”
He grinned and gripped her fingers. “So,” he said, “here goes.”
“Here goes what?” Just ask already! She kept the shout between pressed lips, but theyeswas already forming.
“Will you marry me? In spite of my insecurities and doubts? Because while I may have those about myself, the one thing I know for sure is that I don’t want to face the future without you and Mia.”
