“Oh yeah, what is it?” she asks. My eyes dart back and forth between the rearview mirror and the road in front of me.
“Would it be okay if I asked your mom to marry me and for you to become my daughter?” The squeal that I hear from the backseat is enough to know that I made the right decision with including Claira.
“When are you asking?” she calms down enough to ask.
“That’s what I was hoping you would help me with. Do you think you could share your special dinner and help me propose to your mom?” I ask.
“Oh, I think that would be the best plan ever!” We talk the entire way to Lincoln’s restaurant about what we’re going to do. Once we have it all nailed down, she says, “I’m so excited. This is going to be the best day ever!”
“I think you’re right about that. I get two special girls to share my life with.” I park the car and get out, then go around to open her door. After she unbuckles, she steps out.
“Let’s do this.” Claira holds my hand as her mom walks over to us.
“I swear the two of you are up to no good more and more lately,” she puffs.
“Not us. We could never.” I act shocked. Clairabella shakes her head no.
“Sure, well, let’s go eat. I’m starving,” Callie says.
“About that, mind if you and Claira walk with me down toward the water first?” I ask.
“Okay.” I take her hand in mine, with Claira’s hand still in my other, and walk them down. She’s hesitant at first, which I fucking hate, but I need to do this. Now, without anyone around us, just our family of three.
The gentle tugging on my right hand has me looking down into a toothless grin. She winks, and that lets me know she is ready to go along with my plan. When we reach the outside seating Lincoln has on his property for the restaurant, I have Callie sit. Then I drop down on one knee with Clairabella standing beside me.
“Marry me, Callie. Make me the luckiest man alive,” I state, screwing this all up. Thank goodness, Claira saves the day.
“Yes, Momma. Say yes and marry all of us together,” she states proudly.
“Oh my gosh, I knew you two were cooking up something. Of course, I’ll marry you!” She falls to her knees in front of me, and all three of us hug together. I didn’t know I’d be on my knees, practically begging to have two people become a part of my life all those months ago, but I couldn’t be happier.
“Momma?” Clairabella asks, pulling back.
“Yes, Claira.”
“Does this mean I can call Mr. Jamie my daddy now?” she questions. I rock back on my ass, my legs no longer able to support myself in a squat by the question she’s just asked. I’ve always wanted Claira to think of me as her father, but I would never ask her to call me Daddy if she wasn’t comfortable.
“I think that’s up to Jamie,” Callie says. I’m thirty-seven years old, and I’ve just been rocked to my core, humbled in disbelief. This little girl is wrapped around my heart.
“I would be honored for you to call me your dad.” This time, Claira attacks me. Callie comes up beside us now, so I’m lying flat on my back, Callie on one side and Claira on the other.
“I’m the luckiest girl in the universe,” Callie whispers.
“No way, Momma. I am.”
“I think I may just be the luckiest ever,” I breathe out.
“Wait ‘til you see your ring, Momma. It’s the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. It was made for a princess!”
I can’t believe I didn’t pull out the ring this whole time. I really messed up my proposal. I unwrap my arm from Claira, pull the ring box out of my pocket, and take it out.
“You want to help me put your mom’s ring on her finger?” I ask Clairabella.
She nods, and the two of us put on the four-carat, halo cut diamond, surrounded with smaller diamonds along the platinum band on Callie’s finger.
“Holy shit.” Callie’s breath whooshes out.
“Momma, that’s a dollar for the swear jar.” She breaks the silence while I hold my breath.
“Yeah, yeah. I’ll put a dollar in it. But oh my gosh, this ring is gorgeous. Just like the man I love,” she says. Her lips find mine, and I want to deepen the kiss, yet we won’t in front of Clairabella.
“I love you both so much,” I tell Callie and Claira.
“I love you, Mommy and Daddy,” Claira says. I look into her eyes, thankful for the gift she’s just given me.
“Gah, she’s hitting me right in the feels today. I bet my make-up is a mess, but ask me if I care.” She snuggles back against my side.