by Inara Scott
Everyone laughed, even the bystanders. When the sound had died down, Stanley waved at Melissa to get her attention. “Now, one last thing. Mr. Solen, if you please.”
Garth came closer, stopping just a foot from the edge of the steps. “Melissa, I…” His voice cracked, and his lips twisted in a sheepish half smile. “Look, you know I’m miserable at this, but I…” He tried to say something else, but his voice caught in his throat.
Then he bent down on one knee and held out the roses. There was a pause as he struggled to find his voice, and Melissa had to restrain herself from hurtling her body down the steps at him. Finally, he looked back up at her. His granite eyes were soft, misty, and heartbreakingly hopeful. “Melissa Bencher, I love you with all my heart and soul. You’re the part of me I didn’t know was missing and the part I can’t live without. You’ve already got my ring, twice over, but you’ve got my heart, too, and I can’t imagine living without it, or you. Melissa, darling, will you marry me?”
“Yes, you silly man, yes! Yes!” Melissa flew down the steps, barely hearing the applause from the crowd. Garth stood as she reached him and swept her into his arms as she grabbed his shoulders. He hugged her around the waist, lifting her off the ground. His lips found hers in one long, perfect kiss. When he sat her back down, Melissa felt the love connecting and tying them together.
“Forever, my love,” she whispered, holding his face in her hands and kissing him one more time.
The circle of friends and family closed in around them. Her parents and brothers slapped Garth on the back, while Tori managed to wedge herself in between them for a double hug.
As the people crowded around, Melissa heard Stanley say to someone, “Now that’s what I call a happy ending.”
And it was.
Epilogue
“That is disgusting.”
Melissa giggled at the look of horror on Luke’s face. Ross’s ten-year-old son might be comfortable putting spiders and toads into his pocket, but baby spit-up was completely outside his comfort zone.
“Honey, it’s just a little bit of milk.” She shifted the ruddy-cheeked baby on her chest and rubbed her cheek gently against his soft head. The smell of talcum powder, milk, and the indefinable scent of baby sent an avalanche of love over her.
“But it’s, like, chunky.” Luke recoiled further as Melissa wiped the white material from the infant’s mouth with a soft cloth.
“Just imagine how much grosser the stuff that comes out the other end is.” Ross sauntered across the room, grabbing Patrick from Melissa’s arms without pause and moving to the window overlooking the backyard where Delia and Matt played on the newly appointed play structure. As he walked, Ross bounced the six-week-old with the ease of a three-time father.
It was Thanksgiving, and the entire Bencher family had joined Nan, Jess, Melissa, and Garth at Seesaw for the holiday. Even Brit and Tori had driven down for the night, though they planned to stay at a hotel a few miles away so Patrick wouldn’t keep everyone awake at night. Nan sat in her favorite chair by the fire, watching the bustle of the family with a happy smile. Joe and Felicity had run into town to buy a can of cranberries, while Jess and Phoebe argued in the kitchen about how often to baste the turkey.
Melissa wasn’t sure it was possible to be happier or more content. Even the house seemed to be glowing with the pleasure of full beds, a hot fire, and the noise of children running up and down the stairs.
“Where’s Tori?” Ross asked.
“Grabbing a few minutes of sleep,” Brit replied from the couch. “I think Paddy was up every hour last night.” He set down the newspaper he’d been reading, stretched, and rubbed the thick dark shadow on his jaw. “And watch his head, would you? I’m not sure that’s a good position for him. Who said you could hold him, anyway?”
Ross chuckled. “You’re the worst new dad I’ve ever seen. I raised three of them, you know.”
“Dad,” Luke hollered from the back door, “Dad, I’ve got the football. You coming?”
“In a minute,” Ross called.
Melissa joined her brothers at the window, watching as Luke ran outside, his breath making a frosty halo in the wintery air. “Did you tell them?” she asked.
Ross sighed. “No sense worrying them. Their mother just put her name in for the job in Colorado. It could be months before she hears anything.”
Brit frowned. He reached out and took his son, easily shifting him over one shoulder. “And if she goes?”
Ross shrugged. “Then I go, too. I’m not having my kids halfway across the country from me.”
“I know it’s selfish, but I really hope she doesn’t get the job.” Melissa sighed and leaned against the window. Though the thought of her brother leaving was painful, it wasn’t a surprise. Ross was willing to do just about anything for his kids—even if that meant dropping everything to be with them.
At the sound of her voice, Brit turned, eyes narrowed. “You okay, ’Lis? You’re looking a little pale.”
She cleared her throat. “I’m fine.” A wave of nausea threatened her casual dismissal of his concern, but she fought it off. “Just tired. Garth and I have been working late all week, trying to get the data from the ThinkSpeak prototypes analyzed before the holiday. We should be ready to get our first two commercial units in the field by Christmas.”
Brit glowered. “If you’re getting sick, you better stay away from Patrick.”
Ross eyed her shrewdly. “Wait a minute, are you—”
He was interrupted by the arrival of Garth, carrying a steaming cup of peppermint tea. Even though they’d been married for almost six months, the sight of Garth’s tall, broad-shouldered form still had the power to make Melissa quiver, especially when he gave her that look—the one that wrapped her in a cocoon of love and concern.
“Can I get you anything else?” he asked, passing her the mug as he dropped a kiss on her cheek. Warm gray eyes gazed deep into hers as he wrapped a protective arm around her waist. “Crackers, maybe?”
A tiny smile began to dance in the corner of Ross’s mouth. “Crackers and peppermint tea, huh?”
Garth turned to Ross, his face a polite mask. “You have a problem with crackers and tea?”
Ross’s smile broadened. “Don’t even try that ice man thing on me, brother. I know you too well for that.”
Brit’s gaze moved back and forth between them. “Wait, what am I missing?”
“Sleep deprived much?” Ross said with a laugh. “Look at them! Garth’s all lit up like a—well, like you. Like a worried father.”
“Worried—” Brit drew in a breath. “Father? Jesus, Melissa, why didn’t you tell us?” He grabbed her in an unceremonious hug, almost sending her tea sailing through the air.
Melissa tried to bury her guilty smile. She shushed and pushed him off, darting a look at Nan, who had just nodded off in her chair. “We haven’t even seen a doctor yet. And we want to wait until we’re further along before we tell Nan. Just in case.”
Ross nodded. “I understand.” He claimed his own bear hug from Melissa, and then clasped Garth’s hand and shook it heartily. “Congratulations. I’m thrilled for you.”
Garth’s attempt at stoicism fell away. His shoulders dropped and he shook his head in wonder. He gathered Melissa into his arms, spooning her back against his stomach and dropping his head into the curve of her neck. “Thanks. But I have no idea how you guys survived this. I’m a wreck and it’s only been two weeks. How the hell are we going to get through nine months?”
Brit grinned. “Oh, you’ll make it.”
Ross nodded. “You’ll be fine. You’ve got each other.”
Melissa tipped her head to the side and looked at Garth. He whispered in her ear. “If you’ll still have me?”
She sighed happily. “Forever, my love. Forever.”
About the Author
Inara Scott grew up on a steady diet of romance and happily ever after. Her first novel, penned at the age of 14, was titled A Wild and Stormy Passion
and featured a sword-wielding pirate heroine. Today, Inara writes anything and everything, including young adult fiction and adult romance. Rumors of her secret life as a university professor, writing about energy law and economics, also circulate. She does frequent school visits and enjoys teaching writing to students of all ages. Inara loves to hear from readers. You can contact her via her website, at www.inarascott.com, or find her on Facebook (www.facebook.com/inarawrites) or on Twitter (@inarascott).
