Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76541 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 383(@200wpm)___ 306(@250wpm)___ 255(@300wpm)
With that, Asher takes both mine and Hope’s hands and leads us off the stage. He pulls us into the corner and puts his back to the rest of the room, a clear sign he wants some privacy with us.
I’m stunned when he pulls another box from inside his jacket. It’s another ring box.
Asher then kneels in front of Hope, opening the box for her to see inside. “Hope… I got a promise ring for you, and it is to show my commitment to love you just as much as I love your mother. I want you to know that my place is never between you and your mom, but rather to be near you both to catch you if you stumble.”
It’s at this point I lose it. Tears start to spill down my cheeks. Hope looks at Asher so solemnly that it’s clear he holds a big part of her heart. He takes the ring, a delicate band of platinum set with pink stones that I would hazard to guess are diamonds. It’s a ridiculously pricey piece of jewelry for a six-year-old, yet I wouldn’t expect anything else of Asher.
Hope gives him a big hug, and I wipe my tears before I turn into a raccoon.
Christina comes up and grabs my hand, quickly oohs and aahs over my diamond, and then drops it. “Okay… you guys have to leave. You’re running late. Limo is in front of the hotel.”
“Limo?” I ask curiously, and she just shrugs before giving me a quick hug and dashing off. I turn to Asher. “Limo?”
He stands up, still holding Hope’s hand in his. “Oh, yeah… one more surprise for you ladies. We’re getting in a limo right now and heading straight to the airport, where we’ll take a private jet t-o-o-o….”
He glances at Hope, pausing an evilly long time before declaring, “Disney World!”
Hope shrieks, throwing herself at Asher so hard he almost falls over. She hugs his legs tightly with her eyes screwed up. It’s been her dream to go there. Of course, Asher’s taken us both to Disneyland twice this year for weekend trips, but her dream trip is to Disney World in Orlando, Florida.
Asher continues like a game show announcer in his enthusiasm. He claps his hands together and rubs them. “That’s right, ladies. Six wonderful nights at the Grand Floridian Hotel, where we’ll enjoy fine dining at night while we explore all the parks there by day.”
“Oh my God,” Hope exclaims as she jumps up and down. “Let’s go. Let’s go.”
Asher laughs and takes her hand, offering his other to me. We start to stroll out of the ballroom.
I lean over and whisper, “You don’t have to buy her love, you know. She loves you just as you are.”
“Oh, I know,” he says with a sly twinkle in his eye. “This isn’t about buying her love. It’s about putting our wedding together. Your mom and brothers will meet us there. I’ve got a pastor on tap to marry us. Even hired a horse and carriage to bring my Cinderella to me. So really, this is our honeymoon, Hannah. Your mom and brothers can take Hope hopping around all the parks while you and I consummate our marriage all day, every day.”
I stare at him, completely agog over his foresight.
Doubt flits across his face. “Unless this is moving too fast. We can do the wedding when you’re ready.”
Furiously shaking my head, I smile. “No. It’s perfect. You’re perfect. I’m so ready to be your wife, Asher. Let’s do it.”
“Let’s do it,” he agrees. And then he leads his girls away to the start of our new future together as a family.