“He’s beautiful.”
“Right?” Gilly looked so happy and hopeful that Ivy’s heart ached at the sight. “He’s finally here. I think I felt my daddy watching there at the end. I heard him whispering and telling me it was going to be okay.”
For some reason, Ivy didn’t doubt that. “Is his name still Ronald?”
“Yes, but the middle name has to go because I’m not naming my son after anyone in Darren’s family.”
“That’s probably wise. What’s his new middle name?”
“Well, I thought I should name him after you because you saved us, but as grateful as I am I don’t think Ronald Ivy McDonald is going to do my son any favors.”
Ivy giggled, amused. “Probably not. That’s okay, though. I appreciate the sentiment.”
“Oh, I’m still naming him after you,” Gilly said. “The labor seemed like it lasted forever so I had a lot of time to think. Meet Ronald Morgan McDonald.”
Ivy took a moment to swallow the lump in her throat. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I do. I want my son to have your strength. What you did today was … amazing.”
“Oh, Gilly, you did most of the work. I just ran my mouth.”
“Well, if my son has your mouth, I’ll be a proud mother,” Gilly said. “You’re part of our family now. I hope you realize it. I don’t have a lot of family left, but I’m so happy to add you to the mix.”
“I’m extremely proud.” Ivy extended her arms. “Can I hold him?”
“You’re the only one who could drag him out of my arms at this point.”
“I HEARD a baby cry,” Michael said, moving toward Jack as he entered the clinic. “Did Gilly give birth? I heard what happened when I was at the library and headed right over to see for myself. Luna is on her way.”
“That would be my guess.” Jack held up a finger to let his mother know he would join her shortly. She merely smiled and waved as Jack turned his full attention to Michael. “I’m glad you’re here, though. There’s something I need to talk to you about before you leave town.”
“That sounds important,” Michael said, his expression grave. “Is something wrong?”
“No, but I want to do this right,” Jack replied, uncomfortably shifting from one foot to the other. “You’re going to be gone for months and … well, I’m not sure when it’s going to happen yet so you need to keep your mouth shut but … um … .”
Michael knew exactly what the man was getting at. He’d been expecting it for weeks. The fact that Jack remembered his manners despite everything that was going on only reinforced Michael’s belief that Ivy had picked a perfect mate.
“You want to ask my permission to propose to my daughter,” Michael finished, keeping his voice low.
Jack’s eyes widened. “How did you know?”
“Because it’s written all over your face when you look at her. Son, I would be thrilled to add you to the family. You have my permission.”
Jack let out a shaky breath. “Thank you.”
“When are you going to do it?”
“When I have everything together so I can do it right,” Jack replied. “I don’t have a timetable yet. I just wanted to make sure I asked before you left for the winter. I respect you a great deal and I would never move forward without getting your blessing.”
“You had my blessing the first time you made Ivy smile,” Michael offered. “You’re one of the few people who consistently do that. I know you’ll make it special. I know you’ll do it right.”
“And you’re okay with it?”
“I’m okay with it. You’re already my son – without the weird connotations you marrying my daughter will bring – and I love you.”
Jack swallowed the lump in his throat. “I love you, too.”
“Oh, aren’t we the pair.” Michael slung an arm around Jack’s shoulders to give the man a moment to collect himself. He smiled when he heard the baby crying in the other room. “This family just keeps getting bigger and bigger. I love it.”
Jack exhaled heavily as he forced himself to relax. “Do you know what? I love it, too. I love everything about this place.”
“Of course you do. This is home.”
“Forever,” Jack said, smiling. “Forever and always.”
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Acknowledgments
I’m a romantic at heart. A true romantic. I love the idea of a happy ending, so much so I have trouble writing a sad one. The world is sad enough. I like escaping in fiction. That’s just me. I like sarcasm and snark – but I’m not sure a sad ending is in me. If you’re looking for an edge like that, you’re probably looking in the wrong place. Just FYI.
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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.
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Books by Lily Harper Hart
Hardy Brothers Security
Deadly Intentions
Deadly Intuition
Deadly Illusions
Deadly Proposal
Deadly Prospects
Deadly Ever After
Deadly Honeymoon
Deadly Questions
Deadly Addition
Deadly Vacation
Deadly Secrets
Deadly Storm
Deadly Dealings
Deadly Christmas
Deadly Desperados
Deadly Arrival
Deadly Rivalry
Deadly Memories
Deadly Adventure
Deadly Reunion
Deadly Conflicts
Deadly Payback
Deadly Waves
Deadly Forever
A Maddie Graves Mystery
Grave Homecoming
Grave Insight
Grave Delight
Grave Misgivings
Grave Concerns
Grave Discovery
Grave Decisions
Grave Seasons
Grave Holiday
An Ivy Morgan Mystery
Wicked Days
Wicked Dreams
Wicked Times
Wicked Places
Wicked Warning
Wicked Fog
A Harper Harlow Mystery
Ghostly Interests
Ghostly Issues
Ghostly Deceits
Ghostly Worries
Ghostly Images
A Rowan Gray Mystery
Welcoming Seas
Wicked Season (An Ivy Morgan Mystery Book 7) Page 20
