“Jesus,” Rob says as he takes his place at the head of the table, the flames flickering brightly. “Am I that old already?”
I giggle.
“Yes sir, but forty-four is good luck.”
With that, Emily runs to his side while squealing “Daddy!” and he lifts her into his lap as we begin to chorus happy birthday. At the end, we all clap, and then the children lean forward to help my boyfriend blow out the candles. Rob laughs and picks up the knife, ready to cut the cake, but then I stop him while pointing at the cake topper. “Pull it out,” I whisper in his ear. “It’s another gift.”
He looks at me suddenly before reaching for the cake topper. He removes it from the cake, and sure enough, a ribbon emerges from the frosting. He tilts his head and reads the inscription on the fabric, and then his eyes widen. He looks at me and I smile happily through watery eyes.
“What does it say, Dad?” Mindy asks curiously. I smile and nod at Rob before turning to answer my best friend.
“It says that baby number two is on its way,” I say softly, placing a hand on my belly. “I’m pregnant again.”
A gasp of excitement and joy runs through the crowd, and I swear, my mom starts crying right there. Then, Rob sets Emily on the ground and takes my hand. He stands up, bringing me with him, and then clears his throat, and everyone quiets down.
“Actually, I have an announcement of my own I’d like to make. If I could have your attention please.”
To my surprise, my gorgeous boyfriend reaches into his pocket and gets down on one knee. I gasp, tears springing to my eyes because this is like a dream come true. Is it really happening?
Sure enough, within the box is a brilliant princess cut diamond set on a silver band. It twinkles so brightly in the afternoon sunlight that I’m absolutely dazzled. But the handsome man before me catches my attention once more, his eyes earnest.
“Pepper White, will you do me the honor of becoming Mrs. Rob Trainor?” he growls. “Will you make me the happiest man in the world?”
Tears are already slipping down my cheeks as I smile at him.
“Yes,” I murmur. “A thousand times yes!”
With that, my fiancé gets up to to slip the ring onto my finger, and then pulls me into his embrace.
“It was always you,” he murmurs against my lips. “I love you, sweetheart.”
With that, I melt into his arms because my best friend’s father is the perfect man for me. Maybe I stole his ambulance for a joy ride once upon a time, but now, with his baby in my belly and our daughter toddling about our feet, there are only happy endings left.
* * *
THE END