First Crush, My Forever

Chapter 89

  The doors open right as I'm stepping onto the curb. KK spots me before I see her and comes running full speed, backpack swinging behind her like a cape.

  "Mama T!"

  I crouch just in time to catch her. She crashes into me, arms tight around my neck, her hair tickling my face.

  "There's my big girl," I say, hugging her close. "How was school today?"

  "I got TWO stickers! One for sharing and one 'cause I was quiet during naptime!" she announces proudly.

  "You? Quiet?" I tease. "I need to see proof."

  "I was! Miss Nina said I was a good listener!"

  "Well, then Miss Nina deserves a thank-you card and a cookie."

  She giggles and grabs my hand. "Can we get cookies?"

  "We'll see. Let's get you home first."

  We walk out to my suv, her hand small in mine. She talks the whole way, something about her friend Emmie's pink shoes and the class hamster who almost escaped again. I nod along, half listening, half just watching her. She's growing so fast.

  Once we're home, she kicks her shoes off by the door and drops her backpack with a thud. She climbs up onto the couch like she owns it and grabs the TV remote.

  "Wait," I say gently, sitting beside her. "Pause. I need to ask you something first."

  She turns her big green eyes to me. "What?"

  "It's something important. Something just for you and me."

  She perks up like she's been handed top-secret information. "Like a mission?"

  "Kind of," I say, smiling. "You know how much I love you, right?"

  She nods immediately. "To the moon and stars and back."

  "Exactly. And you know how much I love your mommy?"

  She tilts her head. "More than cupcakes?"

  "Way more than cupcakes."

  Her eyes widen. "Whoa."

  "Yeah. Whoa." I pause, trying to find the words. "So today, while you were at school, I wrote your mommy a letter. It's a special letter, and when she gets home later and reads it... I'm hoping she says yes."

  "'Cause you told her you love her?"

  I shake my head. "No, baby. I asked her if she would marry me. But I want to ask you first."

  KK gasps, hands flying up to her mouth. "You did?!"

  "I did. So, can I ask your mommy to marry me?"

  She throws herself into my lap, arms wrapped tight. "I want you to marry Mommy! Then we all be together forever!"

  I swallow the lump in my throat and hold her close. "That's the plan."

  She pulls back and looks at me seriously. "Will I get to be in the wedding?"

  "You better be. You're the most important person besides your mommy."

  "Can I wear glitter?"

  "You can wear glitter from head to toe if that's what you want."

  She nods firmly. "I want sparkly shoes and a crown. And I want to dance."

  "We'll dance," I promise. "We'll all dance."

  She sighs, satisfied, then her eyes narrow. "Wait. Did Mommy say yes?"