I hold her, my arms locking around her as she buries herself in me, whispering, “Her mum.”
I press a kiss to her temple, my own throat thick. “I take it that’s a yes?”
She lets out a wet laugh, pulling back just enough to look at me, her eyes shining. “That’s a yes, you absolute dork… if you are okay with that, that is.” She looks at me with pleading eyes and I suddenly realise that she wants this. She is not just doing this for Lu; she wants this, probably wanted this for a while.
I grin, brushing my thumb under her eye to catch a stray tear. “Of course. I couldn’t wish for a better mum for Lucy.”
Ivy sniffs, laughing again, then suddenly gasps as if remembering something important.
“Lucy!”
She spins, rushing out of the kitchen before I can even blink.
I follow just in time to see her drop to her knees in front of Lucy, who barely has a second to react before Ivy is crushing her in a hug.
Lucy squeaks, her little arms flailing for a moment before she clings to Ivy just as tightly.
And just like that, the last missing piece of my world clicks into place.
I lean against the doorway, watching them, my chest so full I can barely breathe.
Lucy giggles, muffled against Ivy’s shoulder. “Are you crying, Ivy?”
Ivy laughs, sniffling. “Maybe a little.”
“Why?”
“Because I’m so happy, Lu.” Ivy pulls back just enough to cup Lucy’s little face, her thumbs brushing over her cheeks. “You made me the happiest person in the world.”
Lucy beams, like she just won the best present ever. “Really?”
“Really.”
Lucy’s eyes flick to me over Ivy’s shoulder. “Daddy, did you ask her?”
I nod, my voice thick. “Yeah, Ladybug. I did.”
Ivy wipes her eyes and turns back to her, smiling so big it’s almost blinding.
“And I said yes.”
For a second, Lucy just stares at her, as if she’s making absolutely sure she heard that right.
Then, slowly, her face lights up.
“Mum,” she whispers.
Ivy nods, her voice thick with emotion. “My Ladybug.”
Lucy launches herself forward, wrapping her arms around Ivy’s neck so tightly that Ivy nearly topples backwards.
“I knew you’d say yes!” Lucy squeals into her shoulder, her little voice full of absolute certainty.
Ivy laughs, squeezing her just as tightly. “Of course I said yes, Lu.”
Lucy pulls back slightly, her face so full of joy it makes my chest ache. She studies Ivy for a moment, like she’s thinking, like something is shifting in her little mind.
Then—
