Hudson froze, his mouth opening and closing like he didn’t know how to answer without breaking her little heart.
I leaned forward, smoothing Ivy’s hair back. “Of course I love you, Ivy,” I said softly. “So much. That’s why tomorrow, we’re going into town to get you the shiniest ring we can find. Just for you.”
Her whole face lit up, eyes sparkling as she bounced against the pillows. “For me?”
“For you.” I kissed the crown of her head. “So you’ll always know you’re just as special as other Daddy.”
Hudson groaned, snapping the book shut again, his eyes rolling heavenward. “You’re going to spoil her if you give her everything she pouts for.”
“No,” I countered gently, brushing my thumb along Ivy’s cheek. “She’s right. This ring”—I touched Hudson’s hand, the band gleaming in the lamplight—“is a promise to you. Why can’t I also give her one that shows my promise to her?”
Hudson was shaking his head, but the softness in his eyes betrayed him. His gaze flicked back to the little girl, his expression softening. “You know what else is happening, Ivy? Daddy Matty and I are getting married. To each other. Does that make you happy?”
Her eyes widened. “What’s married?”
“It means,” Hudson said patiently, “that Daddy and I promise to love each other forever. Like Papa and Ozzie. We’ll be family, no matter what.”
“And it means.” I swiped a curl from her forehead. “You’ll always have us. Both of us. Always.”
She thought hard, then raised her head to look me in the eye. “You marry me too, Daddy Matt?”
Her question hit me square in the chest, small and earnest in the way only a three-year-old could manage.
“But you have to bethisbig to get married.” I held my hand high above her head, grinning when she scrunched her nose.
“That’s not fair.” She pouted, lips trembling like she might cry.
“Hey now,” I murmured, rubbing her cheek with my thumb until she peeked up at me. “But here’s the thing. You don’t need a marriage to keep me. I’m already your forever daddy. That means no matter how big you get, or how far you go, I’ll always be yours.”
Her face softened, the pout slipping away as a shy little smile took its place. “Forever daddy?”
“Forever,” I promised. “Settle down for Daddy and let him read you a night-night story, okay? I’ll see you in the morning.”
“And we buy a ring.”
I chuckled. “Yes, we’ll buy you a ring.”
She snuggled into Hudson’s side, already settling as he started to read. “Find me when you’re done,” I told Hudson, then slipped out.
I nearly walked straight into Ozzie in the hallway. He looked tired, his shoulders sagging, but there was relief in his eyes when he saw me.
“Hey, Matty, how’s Ivy?”
“Tired with all the excitement of the day. Hudson’s reading to her now. She’ll be fine. Stop worrying.”
“I can’t help it. I feel like I let everyone down.”
“Ozzie, accidents happen all the time. Ask my dad, and he’ll entertain you with some interesting, laugh-out-loud stories of all the accidents I’ve had. I mean, up to a week ago, he had to pick barbed wire out of my skin, and I’m a grown man.”
That got him to chuckle.
“What about Dad?” I asked. He had been quieter than usual at dinner, and Hudson and I had spent the evening with Ivy, so I only got to speak to him briefly about the charges I pressed against Grant. “How’s he doing?”
“Coming around. He took…what you told him hard. Feels like he failed to protect you.”
“Oh God. I don’t want him to feel that way. He’s always been a great father.”
Ozzie’s mouth softened. “He’ll be okay. It’ll just take some time for the shock to wear off, but I’ll take care of him. Always will.”
