They continued to grow closer, and ever since that pregnancy scare, she’d been thinking even more about marriage.
She wanted kids. Badly. She hadn’t realized just how badly until she’d thought she was pregnant. And now she couldn’t wait to be a mom, at twenty-nine she was starting to feel like her biological clock was ticking. Of course she knew it wasn't, but she was just so excited about having a baby of her own, and she wanted it with Chance.
The day she held a tiny newborn baby in her arms, with her man by her side would be the happiest of her life.
But she wanted to do it right.
Get engaged, find a home, get married, then have kids.
Since they had talked about marriage, she had to assume that Chance was planning the perfect proposal. Hope wondered what he would do. Fancy dinner? Out in the snow, maybe ice skating or something? Hot air balloon ride? There were so many options, and really she didn’t even care, all she wanted was to marry him.
She was already planning out the wedding. Which church they would get married at, who would perform the ceremony, what her dress would like, how she’d do her hair, where they would have the reception dinner, and where they’d go on their honeymoon. All she needed now was for Chance to propose.
The only thing that would make her wedding perfect was if her mom could have been there. Only of course she couldn’t. It had been almost eleven years now since her mother had died and Hope still missed her every single day.
Growing up without a dad, her mom had been both mother and father to her and her sister. Life had been tough, her mom had worked long hours, and she and her sister had been expected to do a fair number of chores around the house, but they had always been happy, and Hope had usually had everything she asked for.
Life had changed after her big sister’s death.
The events of that day were still crystal clear in her memory.
On the walk home from the bus stop after school, she had made a brat out of herself bothering Annalise and some guy her sister was interested in. She’d been thirteen then and was jealous of boys who stole her sister’s attentions. They’d had a snack at home, then she’d put on a load of laundry while Annalise started cooking dinner. Hope had finished her chores and was sitting down to start her homework when she’d heard the crash.
Her sister had already been dead by the time she reached the kitchen.
In a panic, Hope had called her mother and then an ambulance, but there was nothing that could be done. Annalise had died instantly.
Sixteen-year-olds didn’t suddenly drop dead from brain aneurisms.
Only they did.
After Annalise’s death, her mother had cut back her hours at work and spent more time with her. They had both learned the value of enjoying loved ones while you could because you never knew when you might lose them.
Throughout her teenage years, Hope had always made time for her mother. She enjoyed hanging out with her friends and dating cute guys from her class, but she also enjoyed quiet nights at home playing board games with her mom or curled up on the couch watching old movies.
Her mother died from a heart attack a few months after she left for college.
Hope missed her family, and as much as she adored her friends, she was looking forward to having a family of her own again.
“Hey, babe.”
She let out a startled yelp at the voice and hands wrapped around her waist and swung her up through the air. When she realized it was Chance her yelp turned into a delighted laugh. He had called her a couple of hours ago and asked her to take an early lunch and come and meet him, only he wouldn’t say why.
Chance set her down, his large hands lifted to her face, and he held it tightly while he kissed her so hard it left her breathless.
That was her guy, always so passionate. She loved that about him. Everything he did he did with such zeal. His enthusiasm wasn't the only thing she loved about him. He was kind, caring, thoughtful, fun, spontaneous, and to top it all off, he was hot too. He had dark hair and glowing golden eyes that she could stare into forever.
“I've missed you,” he said.
“I haven't seen much of you the last few days.” Hope rested her head on Chance’s chest and ran a hand up under his sweater to trace her fingertips across his abs.
“You’ve been busy taking care of Summer,” Chance said. “Is she feeling better now Valentine’s Day is behind her for another year?”
“Mmhmm.” She nodded. “And she has a date tonight.”
“A date?” He sounded surprised. “That’s great. While you’ve been busy with your friend, I've been busy too.”
“With what?”