“Our new lake house?” I asked, surprised. “I didn’t know you bought one!”
He merely pinches my bottom with a wicked smile.
“Yes, baby. I bought a new lake house because I want our growing family to have lots of space to explore and breathe fresh air. The kids will love it, and most of all, you’ll love it too.”
Ryan is right. The lake house is wonderful, and it’s the perfect setting to raise a family. We still live mostly in Oaktown, but we spend a lot of weekends here, and almost every summer now. The kids are growing up so fast, and the treehouse they built last year already seems too small for Rico, Ronnie and Rebecca. At least Royce will be able to use it once he’s up and a bit more mobile.
As the children scamper off, I hear the crackle of leaves behind me and turn to see Ryan approaching. He’s so handsome with his dark hair, broad shoulders and bronzed skin. As soon as the baby sees him, he lifts up his hands and demands, “Dada!” Ryan picks him up and tosses him into the air. Royce squeals with laughter while Ryan beams with joy. My gorgeous boyfriend throws the baby in the air again, and I laugh gently. I will treasure this image for the rest of my life.
“Hey, beautiful,” Ryan says, turning to smile at me. Royce is giggling and huffing, drool hanging from his mouth.
“Hey, handsome,” I say, smiling back.
Ryan sits next to me and places Royce on the grass near us where he immediately begins crawling to the water.
“Nuh uh,” I warn, picking the baby back up to cuddle him. He coos, and his big blue eyes go between myself and his father. Royce, like Rico, is the spitting image of Ryan, and sometimes, I marvel at what a beautiful baby we made together.
But we don’t just make beautiful babies together. Ryan has also hired me to work at Mama Pasta, and I help with the marketing and advertising of the business. It’s gone swimmingly well, even though I’m only there part-time. With a growing family, I don’t want to get too into my job and neglect my duties as a real mother.
“How’s the latest commercial?” I ask, placing my hand on Ryan’s knee.
“Great as usual,” he says. “You’re a genius, sweetheart. I loved that last idea you had.”
“You didn’t say it!” I exclaim.
Ryan rolls his eyes, and then puts an exaggerated smile on his face. He brings his hand up next to his mouth so that his thumb and forefinger touch in an OK symbol. “Perfetto!” he says, with a strong Italian action.
I giggle, loving Ryan’s impression of the actor we hired.
“I think that’s my new favorite commercial,” I say when I catch my breath.
He looks down at me, smiling wryly. “Glad to know one of us enjoys it,” he says.
“Oh, come on,” I say. “That tagline was your idea.”
He rolls his eyes again, “Okay, Little Miss. I see how it’s going to be.”
I laugh and then play with the baby again, who looks like he’s dropping off to sleep. Ryan notices and scoops us both into his embrace, and I settle gently into the place where I belong: with my head resting comfortably on his chest, and our child in my arms.
“Hey you,” he says smiling at me. The gentle air of his breath puffs across my temple.
“Hey,” I reply.
We lock eyes for a moment, and then I sigh and nestle into him even more. We look out at the lake where I see Rico and the twins pulling lazy figure-eights on the water. Ronnie and Rebecca run along the edge, playing Knights and Princesses, still a favorite of theirs. Rebecca sees us and stops for a moment, waving brightly. I wave back and she scampers off, Ronnie close behind. What a beautiful family we have.
“What a beautiful family we have,” Ryan says. I giggle at the coincidence. He looks at me, brow furrowing. “What’s so funny?”
“Nothing,” I say. “I was just thinking those same words, that’s all. I’m so happy, Ryan.”
“Me too,” he says. We’re still again for a moment, then he says. “Regina? There’s something I’ve been wanting to ask you for a long time now.”
“What’s that?” I say.
He’s quiet for a moment.
“Well, you know my family loves you,” he says. “Not just Rico, Rufus, Rachel, Rebecca, and Ronnie, but also my mom and dad. And my sister too. They all think the world of you, Regina.”
I smile against his chest.
“I know. They thought you’d never find a woman again, but who knew that I’d be right under your nose?”
He pulls me even tighter into his chest.
“That’s right,” he says, the vibrations of his voice forming a pleasant rumble. “And that’s why I wanted to ask you this.”
Slowly, fumbling a bit, Ryan reaches into his shorts pocket before pulling out a small velvet-covered box that fits neatly in his palm. My heart begins to pound and I sit up, eyes wide. Is this really happening?