Gavin quirked a brow. “My brother was right. You’ve domesticated me beyond belief.”
“I take that as a yes.” After shoving a head of lettuce into the refrigerator, Emily dug her hands into her hips. “And don’t lie. You love being domesticated.”
Gavin chuckled, reaching for the newspaper on the end table. “Yes, boss. To be honest, Noah folded the whole pile.” He flipped open the paper, his teasing blue eyes peeking out from the sports section. “But we took a man vote. We’re in agreement we’re both tired of folding laundry. We want the housekeeper back.” Beaming a dimpled smile, Gavin looked at Noah. “Right, buddy?”
With one hand wrapped around a musical clown rattle and the other shoved in his mouth, Noah gave a single nod.
“That’s my boy,” Gavin laughed, swinging his eyes to Emily. “See? You’re outnumbered, doll. We win. I’m calling Leslie and hiring her back on fulltime. It’s a done deal.”
Jaw dropped open, Emily giggled. “This is obviously a conspiracy. It’s bad enough you have my son decked out in a Yankees onesie. Now you have him turning on me? Evil. Pure evil.”
Gavin cackled like a ghoul and flipped to the business section. He grinned that very same mouthwatering grin that’d snared her the first time she’d met him. “Hey. You’ve known this for a while,” he reminded her with a shrug and a wink. “And you love every evil inch of me.”
Shaking her head, Emily continued to unpack the groceries. Every fiber in her being agreed. Without a doubt, she’d forever love every evil and un-evil inch of him.
“Emily,” Gavin called, pulling her attention from a cooking magazine. In the checkout line, a recipe for creamy baked chicken had caught her eye. Unlike the last two times, she was determined to make this evening’s dinner work out without giving her or Gavin food poisoning. “What does Noah have in his hands?”
Emily squinted, trying to see across the room. “I don’t know. A block?”
“Can you get it from him?” Gavin stared over his newspaper. “He has it in his mouth.”
Emily furrowed her brows. “Gavin, he’s teething. He’d chew on my shoe if I gave it to him.”
“I know,” Gavin replied after clearing his throat, “but I don’t want him chewing on that block.” He smirked, his eyes lighting up with amusement. “Or your shoe for that matter. Can you just take it from him? It might be… dirty.”
Tilting her head, Emily dropped her shoulders and rolled her eyes. “One: You’re a clean freak. Two: I’d rather him chew on my shoes than yours. Three: You’re right there. You take it from him, nutter.”
“Nutter?” Gavin questioned, chuckling. He paused for a second, quite impressed at his new name. “My back hurts. You get it.”
“Yes, nutter,” Emily sighed with a smile, placing the magazine on top of the table. “You’re just trying to get another massage out of me.” She rounded the island, completely convinced her OCD, massage-conniving boyfriend was losing it. Shoeless, she stepped onto the down comforter Noah was playing on.
Though square, it wasn’t a block he was chewing on. Nope. Not even close. Emily flicked her gaze to Gavin, who was sporting a full, megawatt smile, and back to the black velvet box Noah was thoughtfully sinking his newly rooted tooth into. Before Emily could blink or take a much needed breath, Gavin slipped from the couch, depositing himself cross-legged onto the comforter. Scooping Noah into his lap, Gavin flipped his Yankees cap backward, eased the box from Noah’s hand, replaced it with a tiny book, and stared up into Emily’s unblinking green eyes.
“Come sit with us,” Gavin said, his voice soft. “We have something for you.”
Emily swallowed, her throat suddenly parched. Trembling, she slowly sank down onto the comforter, sitting cross-legged in front of Gavin. Knees touching his, she stared at his lazy grin, her heart racing as he leaned in to kiss her. He let the kiss linger until Noah started to fuss his displeasure about being smashed in between them. Pulling back, Emily let out a nervous giggle and swept her hand through Noah’s wavy hair.
“He’s just jealous,” Gavin whispered, placing a kiss on Noah’s head. Bringing his gaze back to Emily’s, it was Gavin’s turn to swallow. For the second time in his life, he was about to propose to a woman. However, for the first time, not a shred of reservation ran through his body. Gavin knew she was the one created for him. With a shaky hand, he cupped Emily’s face, his heart pouncing.
“I love you, Emily. You’ll always be my best friend. You’ll always be my… Molly.” Eyes wide, staring into hers, Gavin leaned in and brushed a gentle kiss upon her quivering lips. “You’re the mother of my child. You and Noah have brought color to my empty canvas, light into my darkened life.” With the pad of his thumb, he wiped a warm tear from Emily’s cheek and pulled in a deep breath. “Let’s paint the full picture together and light up the sky, sweets. I love you both more than anything.” He drew up a brow, his sexy smirk showing off his chiseled features. “Remember? You trump Valentine’s Day chocolates.” Sniffling, Emily giggled.
Gavin smiled, but his face sobered quickly, his voice a gentle whisper. “I believe in forever, and that’s what you and I are. We define eternity. This may sound cheesy, but you make me go there. You give me butterflies, Emily Cooper. I’ve never had that before, and I don’t want to let that go for anything. Ever. I asked you once to crash with me, and you did. Now... I’m asking you to take the full ride. Walk with me the rest of the way until we’re old, sitting in our rocking chairs and watching our sugar-high grandchildren play in our yard. I’ve seen this world a million times over, but I’ve never seen it with you by my side. I want you, no, I need you to be my wife. I need to wake up every morning knowing you’re Mrs. Emily Michelle Blake.” He paused, and Emily could see his eyes misting over. “Please. Take this last step with me.” He cracked open both sides of the box. Cushioned in the middle of Harry Winston’s classic signature lay a round, brilliant diamond set in platinum with smaller diamonds encircling its base.
Emily found her breath evaporating from her lungs. She froze under the gravity of his words, but her heart, filled with a riot of emotions, took off excitedly. Gavin’s declaration sang in her ears, musical notes of love reverberating through her. “I love you,” she choked out, her eyes stinging with happy tears. She wrapped her hand around the back of Gavin’s neck and pulled his smiling lips into her mouth. “And, yes, I’ll take every last step with you, Gavin.”
“Yeah?” he questioned with a chuckle between kisses. Once again, Noah squealed in displeasure, trying to squirm from Gavin’s hold by kicking his chunky legs in frustration. “You’re going to be my wife?”
“Yes. I’m going to be your wife,” Emily cried, lifting Noah onto her lap. He settled down when she handed him a bottle, his little body relaxing with instant gratification. Emily’s limbs went weak as Gavin reached for her hand and slipped the engagement ring onto her finger. Her soul warmed from everything it represented.
“Thank you,” she whispered, staring into Gavin’s eyes. “I have no words that could possibly describe what you do to me every day.” And she didn’t. He’d found her broken, withering away into nothing. He’d mended her heart, bandaging her soul with his presence. Through it all, he showed her what true love was. He was a dream. The only thing she could do was pray she never awoke from this bliss. His bliss. Gavin dowsed her lips with more intoxicating kisses as she ran her hand down his bare chest. Time was of the essence, but now time would always be filled with everything Emily could’ve ever imagined, everything she could’ve ever hoped for.