Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 78542 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 393(@200wpm)___ 314(@250wpm)___ 262(@300wpm)
CHAPTER
TWENTY
Stella
“What do you mean, it’s our engagement party? We’ve only been officially engaged for a week.” My hands are on my hips as I process what my fiancé just told me. We’re headed to Kincaid Central later tonight to celebrate New Year’s Eve with the family, but apparently, it’s also doubling as our engagement party.
Maverick shrugs. “I knew you were going to say yes. We did a pre-proposal, remember? It’s just low-key, Stel, nothing to worry about.” He’s acting as if this is no big deal, but it’s a big deal. He planned a party for us.
I love the way he loves me. The way he loves us.
Nothing this man does is low-key. “I remember, Mav, but an engagement party? Really? We already live together. Is this really necessary?” I already know he’s going to say that it’s absolutely necessary.
I try to hide my grin. This is what life is going to be like with Maverick, and I’m here for it. All of it. Every over-the-top thing he wants to toss my way, I’m all in.
“It’s absolutely necessary.” He’s nodding, a look of sheer determination on his face. He thinks he has to convince me, but I’m already convinced. If Maverick is there, so am I. It’s as simple as that.
Brooks sits in the recliner, his body shaking with quiet laughter.
“What? Don’t tell me you agree with him?” I ask my future brother-in-law. He stopped by to help Maverick move some shelving from the old house to this one. We’re pretty much fully moved. The garage shelving was the last missing piece. It’s been a busy week, but I admit it’s nice to have so much family that’s more than willing to jump in and help us. They’re better than any moving company. Hands-down.
The day after Christmas, the family arrived with boxes, rolls of tape, and, as Blakely reminded me, arm porn to do the heavy lifting. We were packed and moved out the same day. All hands on deck. We had beds put together and rooms roughly set up by the time we went to bed that night.
“This guy—” Brooks points at Maverick, trying to compose himself through his laughter, “—once said he wasn’t ever going to have an engagement party.” He smiles at his little brother. “Changes things, doesn’t it?” he says to Maverick.
Maverick nods, a serious expression on his face. “I didn’t understand it then.”
“Understand what?”
Maverick turns toward me, and his eyes soften. “Love, angel. I didn’t understand that when you find your forever, you do anything you can think of to put a smile on her face.” He looks like he wants to say more, but a rambunctious little girl interrupts him.
“Daddy!” Ada comes running toward Maverick, carrying her beloved ladybug.
He lifts her into his arms. “Have you been good for Mommy?” he asks.
She nods. “Good.” She offers the ladybug to him, and he kisses it just like he always does.
“Ada, come see Uncle Brooks before I have to leave.” Maverick hands her over, and Brooks tickles her sides as she squirms on his lap. “Are you ready for the party tonight? All your aunts, uncles, and cousins will be there, and Grandma and Grandpa.”
His family has not only accepted me, but Ada too. They treat her just like all the other Kincaid grandkids. To them, and to us, she’s Maverick’s daughter. That’s enough for them. If anything, they might love on her a little harder than the others just to show me and Maverick that she’s one of them. That we both are. I’ve never felt so loved.
There was a time in my life when I felt like it would just be Ada and me. My parents want nothing to do with me. To them, I ruined my life. To me, I enhanced it. Being her mom is the greatest thing I’ve ever done.
“Par-tay.” Ada nods, mimicking Brooks. She’s been doing a lot more of that lately.
“That’s right.” Brooks hugs her tightly. “I’ll see you later, kiddo.” He puts her on her feet, and she scurries to the corner of the living room where her play kitchen set is, which Santa brought her. By Santa, I mean her daddy, who didn’t even tell me he was getting it for her. I woke up on Christmas morning, and it was just there, sitting next to the tree.
This man, he goes out of his way to spoil us, to see the smiles on our faces. I’ll never be able to love him enough for everything he’s given us, but I’m going to try for every day of forever.
“You better put on your par-tay shoes, Momma,” Brooks tells me, saying party like Ada did. He’s smirking.
All I can do is shake my head and smile. “We’ll be there,” I tell him. Even if it wasn’t also my engagement party, we would be there. Family is everything. I know what it’s like to be a part of one that never wanted you, so you can bet your ass I’m going to be present in the one that chose me.