Page 75 of His Long-Lost Baby
Quinn’s eyes light up and she looks up at me with a mixture of curiosity and awe.
“Daddy?” she says, the word sounding strange and new on her lips.
I crouch down to her level and nod. “Yes, baby girl. I’m your daddy.”
She takes a step closer to me, her small hand reaching out to touch my face. Immediately, I feel my heart swell with love for this little person.
“I’ve been waiting for you,” she says, her voice filled with wonder.
Tears fill my eyes as I gather her into my arms, holding her close.
“I’ve been waiting for you too,” I whisper into her hair, not knowing until this moment that those words have always been true.
CHAPTER26
BILLIE
“She’s asleep,” I whisper.
But James stays standing in Quinn’s bedroom doorway, looking in on her. The nightlight casts soft stars around the room, and Quinn is passed out after James’s reading of nearly every book on her shelf. At this rate, she’ll probably expect him to read to her for two hours every night.
And maybe he will. Since the moment he met her earlier today, he’s been enamored.
“I can’t walk away,” he whispers back. “How do you not stand here and stare at her all night?”
I chuckle softly and step closer to him, wrapping my arms around his waist. “I know the feeling. I still stare at her when she’s sleeping sometimes.”
James turns to me, his eyes full of love and wonder. “I can’t believe she’s real. That she’s really mine.”
“She is,” I assure him, standing up on my toes to place a soft kiss on his lips. “And she’s lucky to have you as her father.”
He pulls me close, deepening the kiss. “I love you,” he breathes against my lips, his voice thick with emotion.
“I love you too,” I reply, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.
James leans his forehead against mine, his eyes closed in contentment. “I never thought I could have something like this, a family. But you and Quinn, you’re everything I never knew I needed.”
I know, deep in my heart, that he means it. That we’ll always be a family, no matter what life throws our way. As we stand there, holding each other in the quiet of Quinn’s bedroom, I know that this is where I’m meant to be. With James and Quinn by my side, I have everything I’ll ever need.
We haven’t told Quinn the whole story about why James hasn’t been around — just that he and her birth mom lost touch and couldn’t find each other.
It’s not exactly the truth, but it’s what Quinn needs to hear right now. When she’s older, and more able to understand the complexities of adult relationships, we’ll be able to tell her the full story.
I like to think that Sara would agree with my choice, that she’s looking down on us, maybe even guiding some of the decisions I make when it comes to Quinn.
Gently, I close the bedroom door and lead James into the living room.
We sit down on the couch, and I snuggle up next to him. I can feel the warmth emanating from his body, and I lean in to kiss him again. This time, it’s not just a soft kiss. It’s deep, passionate, and full of love.
As our lips part, James pulls back and looks at me. “Billie, I know we haven’t talked about it, and it’s all happening so quickly, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
My heart leaps with joy and excitement. “I want that too. I love you, and I’ve never been happier than when I’m with you and Quinn. But are you sure? We’ve only known each other for a short time.”
“I’m sure,” he replies without hesitation. “I know it seems sudden, but I feel like I’ve known you my whole life. I don’t want to waste any more time. I want to make you my wife and spend the rest of my days making you happy.”
I feel my eyes welling up with tears of joy. James is the man of my dreams, and I can’t imagine spending one more day without him.
“Yes, James,” I say, my voice shaking with emotion. “I will marry you.”