Almost Maybes

Epilogue

Chase’s POV:
When school ended for the year, Hadley resigned from her position as teacher and made the move to Nashville. Mama had been overjoyed that we had finally moved in together and so had her parents, even if they had hoped that we would stay in Asheville. We’d kept her house since was part of her family so that when we came home, we had a place to stay. Plus, the place held so many memories for us, there was no way that I could ever see getting rid of it. 

In the past few months, the house that I’d built a couple years ago had become a home, complete with all the Rae Dunn Hadley could ever want. Funny how much a woman's touch could transform a place. Even our son’s room was completed, waiting for his arrival. Which would be any day now. To say I was getting anxious to meet my little guy was a major understatement. 

I’d been sleeping soundly when I was jolted awake by the moan of pure agony that tore through Hadley as she sat on the edge of the bed. Sitting up, I placed my hands gently on her shoulders. 

“More Braxton Hicks?” I asked. They had been giving her hell for the last week or so.

“Don't think these are Braxton Hicks.” she said with a moan as another cramp took hold. 

“Think it's time to go?” I asked.

 “Yes.” she said.

***

After two hours of full on active labor, Braxton Daniel Rice made his entrance into the world, weighing in at 9 pounds 15 ounces and measuring 23 inches. With blonde hair and blue eyes, he looked just like his Mama, except with my nose and lips. He was the perfect combination of Hadley and I.

Hadley was sitting on the bed with Braxton snuggled against her chest as she nursed him as mama’s words from a couple weeks ago replayed in my mind. I’d been wanting to propose to Hadley, to make her my wife, but I just haven't found the perfect chance. Mama had wanted me to do it before the baby was born, but I’d been scared that doing it then would have just made Hadley think I was peoposing because I felt that it was what was right for the baby. But sitting here, watching her nurse my son while she practically glowed, I couldn't think of a better chance than now to ask her to be mine forever. 

Standing from my chair, I discreetly pulled the ring I’d been carrying around in my pocket into my palm before settling on the edge of the hospital bed. Even so gently, I let my fingers caress the top of my son’s head, loving the feel of his baby soft skin mixing with the fine hair atop his head. My heart nearly burst with pride and love everytime I looked at him. Pushing back the tears that threatened to spill from my eyes, I took a deep breath and grabbed Jo’s free hand 

“Hads, you know I’m a man who is good with words unless it comes to writing. But just hear me out okay.” I said. “From the moment I met you, I knew that you were it for me. That you were the only person that I could see myself settling down with, starting a family, and growing old together. We might have done things a little backwards, denied what we both wanted for years, and let our pride and friendship get in the way for way too long but baby, I love you with every fiber of my being. I just want to make it clear before I ask you my question. I;m not doing this because of the baby or because I feel like it's the right thing to do. I’m asking because I love you, heart and soul.” Opening my palm, I revealed the 3 carat princess cut diamond set in platinum before continuing. “Marry me Hadley Grace Sawyer. Say you’ll be my wife. Take my last name. Let's grow our family. Grow old with me.”

“I was beginning to think you would never ask.” Hadley said as tears streamed down her face. “And I don't care what the reasons are for asking. My answer is yes.”