Beck laughs. “The princess and the pea?”
I groan, dropping my face into my hands, and take a deep breath. “Yes.” I sit back up and look at Beck. “I had it in my pocket, and he climbed in my lap, like he does. And he said, ‘What’s that?’”
Beck’s jaw drops. “You’re joking.”
God, I wish I were. That would make my life so much easier. I wouldn’t be panicking over a lost ring. “I wish I could say I was. But no.”
I stand back up, resuming my search. I want to ask him tonight, during dinner. I’m so tired of not being engaged to him. I invited Beck and Roman for dinner so they could be here when I did, but now I’ve lost the ring and what if it’s gone forever and I can’t find it again? Sure, I can buy a new one. But I don’t want a new one. The one I picked out is gorgeous, and it’s special because I got it engraved with our initials inside. I’m going to be so fucking upset if it’s gone forever.
“Julian?”
“Not now, Beck. I love you, man, but I’m fucking losing it.”
He chuckles. He’s always laughing at me. Why is he my best friend again? “I found it.”
That stops me dead in my tracks. “What?”
I turn to see him holding my pillow in his lap and the ring in his hand. “Why was it in your pillowcase?”
I snatch it away from him, remembering in a rush that I was trying to transfer it from one hiding spot to another when Holden came barging into the room. So I shoved it into my pillowcase to stop him from seeing it. The relief that rushes through me makes me laugh with almost giddyjoy. I sit down beside Beck and pull him into a hug, slapping him on the back. “You’re a fucking lifesaver.”
Beck pats my back. “Yeah, yeah. You better hurry and propose before you lose it again.”
I pull away, nodding. “Yeah, that’s the plan. I’m going to propose tonight, during dinner.”
“Fuck yes.” Beck’s eyes light up, and he gives me a strange look. I’m not sure why, but I also don’t have time to try to decipher it. “Hey, so I have something to tell you.”
Uh-oh. “Yeah?” I ask, slight panic coursing through me for a whole new reason.
“I think you need to thank me in your wedding speech.”
That’s… not what I was expecting. “What? Why?”
“I sent you to Holden.”
I scoff. “No, you did not.”
He nods. “Yes, I did. I do blood draws in the ER all the time, Julian. I could have easily taken care of Wren without sending you to peds. The reason I did is that Hold has a way with people. And I could tell you were freaking out.” Well,that’sputting it lightly. “I knew he’d take good care of you.” He smirks. “I didn’t really realize how good, but hey, it all worked out.”
Fuck, it so did. Now, I have Holden and Warren, and our huge-ass family. My house is filled with love and happiness again, all because of Holden. Well, apparently Beck.I pull him back into a hug. “I’m not sure if you’re fucking with me or not, but I’ll definitely be thanking you at the wedding if you’re not.”
Beck laughs. “I’m not fucking with you at all. We better get on out there, though. I think Holden was just finishing up dinner. And for the love of God, put that ring in your pocket.”
When he pulls back and we stand, I do just that. I slip the ring into my front pocket and hope like hell Holden doesn’t try to climb into my lap during dinner.
“Here, baby girl,” I murmur as I put Wren’s plate down in front of her.
“Thanks, Dad.”
I glance at Eli. He’s sitting quietly, looking at his lap. It breaks my heart that he acts like he can’t take up space. I just know my darlin’ will be so good for him. I know he’ll pull him out of his shell and help him express himself. I’m excited to see it.
“Are you hungry, Eli?” Holden asks, holding up an empty plate.
Eli looks up at him. “Oh, um, yes… but I can make my own. I don’t want to cause problems.”
Holden gives him his best smile. “Not a problem at all.” He doesn’t even give Eli time to argue, just turns back to the stove and starts plating up his meal before setting it in front of him with a flourish.
Warren’s already eating, but he’s making more of a mess than anything else, but hey, learning to use a fork is hard. “Good, buddy?”
