The words are so sweet. I glance behind him to the clock on the nightstand. It's almost dinner time. I slept most of the afternoon away.
"We have a surprise." He can barely contain himself. He's literally shaking with excitement, the red hair on his head bouncing as he shifts from one foot to the other.
"You and daddy?"
"Me and Zander." He pulls his hand to his mouth as he lets out a big laugh at his own joke.
"Where's daddy?" I try to sit and I'm bowled over by a sudden feeling of dizziness. The doctor was right when he told me to take it easy for a few days.
"Come." He holds out his tiny hand and I reach for it. He waits patiently as I slowly pull myself into a sitting position before I tentatively try to stand.
"Is it a good surprise?" I follow his lead as we leave the bedroom and walk out into the main living room.
"The best." He nods as he glances back at me.
I'm greeted by the sight of dozens of small white lights and Hunter standing in the middle of it all. He's wearing the same tuxedo he had on the first night I saw him at my parents' house. He looks so different now. He's so much more handsome. I can see the kindness in him, the compassion that is always resting in his soul.
"Wait here." Cory bolts from the room and races down the hallway.
I shrug my shoulders as I stand and stare at Hunter.
"Do you remember when I pretended to forget my coat at your parents' house?"
The question draws a smile from deep within me. "I was just thinking of that night."
"My life began that night. You came down those stairs and I knew one day we'd build a life together. I knew that we'd have a family together."
"You wanted another woman's number, remember?" I joke through happy tears.
"I wanted you."
"Then you came to the bistro the next day."
A smile spreads across his perfect lips. "You were so shocked to see me. You were so beautiful."
I laugh. "I had on a dirty apron and my hair was a mess."
"You were the most beautiful woman I'd ever laid eyes on." He breathes a heavy sigh. "I just sat and stared at you while you worked."
"Then you were there at the restaurant that night." I float back in my mind to the night I went to the birthday dinner for Alexa's friend. "You and Jax."
"I wanted to take you home with me that night."
"I wanted to go home with you," I confess. "I wanted you to kiss me."
He smirks, "I asked you if you wanted to. You turned me down." He reaches for his chest. "I was heartbroken."
"I will never break your heart." I pull my own hand to my chest. "Never."
"Sadie," Cory's voice calls to me from behind.
Just as I start to turn he walks past me dressed in a tuxedo that's identical to Hunter's.
"Now, daddy? Now?" I can tell he's trying to whisper but his excitement is getting the better of him.
"Now." Hunter reaches down to kiss him on the cheek.
I watch carefully as Cory pulls a small box from his pocket just as Hunter kneels on one knee. Cory leans back, pulling himself onto Hunter's bent leg. "Princess Sadie, will you please marry us?" He opens the box and there's a brilliant diamond ring inside. Two large pear shaped diamonds are crafted together.