“Oh my God, my matchmaking worked!” I squeal under my breath. “This is so great!”
Travis merely laughs.
“I have to warn you though, Troy is no gentleman. He’s a hound dog, so tell your friend to be careful.”
I scoff.
“Oh Cammie can handle herself, don’t you worry. Besides, she grew up in a houseful of boys. If anything, Troy should watch out.”
We laugh together, but in the next moment, Travis is on one knee in front of me.
“Wait, what are you doing?” I ask, although my heart’s already beginning to thump. To my surprise, my handsome boyfriend has tears in his eyes as he holds forth a velvet box.
“Caitlin, I have waited far too long to tell you this. You have been with me through thick and thin, through some of the most soap opera-ish moments of my life. Yet we made it through and every moment of every day, I am reminded of how lucky I am to have someone so incredible. Will you marry me, sweetheart? With you make this poor wretch a happy man?”
I open and close my mouth a few times, tears glimmering in my eyes. At that moment, baby Peony squeals from her high chair, jolting me back to the present.
“Yes! Of course, I’ll marry you! I’d love to.”
I kiss Travis with my heart full and our daughter claps her hands with excitement, even though she has no idea what just happened.
Travis slips the ring on my finger and I sigh with contentment. It’s a gorgeous princess-cut diamond on a silver band, so big that the rock almost reaches my first knuckle. I can’t believe I get to wear it for the rest of my life.
“Travis, it’s huge,” I whisper.
“No,” he growls in my ear while pulling me close. “It’s perfect, just like you.”
But then, I pull back and shoot him a watery smile.
“You know, I have a surprise too,” I begin.
He leans forward, nibbling at my earlobe.
“Is it to tell me where I can put that diamond later tonight? You know I love playing with toys in bed.”
I swat at him, shocked yet scandalized too.
“Get your mind out of the gutter! No, Travis. I’m pregnant again. You’re going to be a daddy to Baby Number Two.”
This time, he pulls back with shock, his blue eyes astonished.
“Are you serious?”
I nod.
“Oh yes. We have so much fun in the sack, it was just a matter of time. You keep me pumped full,” I say wickedly. And it’s true because even though I started out as a vagabond living on this man’s dime, our story has come full circle. I’m no longer a homeless wretch; I’m no longer living on his charity; and in fact, I’ve already given Travis a child and I’m giving him another one soon. It seems that the little girl lost has made something of herself, and with my husband and our children, I will be happy forever.
* * *
THE END