Her fingers were warm against his. He felt her faint trembling. While he wanted to reassure her, he knew he had to tell her the truth, first.
“What Caro did was wrong, but I don’t believe she meant to betray me. Her career mattered more than anything else. I’d known that, but I didn’t think through what that meant. I wanted a wife and a family. She said the right words, and I took them at face value because it gave me what was important to me. I think she knew I wouldn’t like hearing that she wanted to wait to start a family.”
He brought one of Pia’s hands to his mouth and kissed her palm.
“I moved here, thinking it would be easy,” he continued.
“Foolish man.”
“Tell me about it. It wasn’t easy, but it was where I belonged. This is home. But it’s an empty, cold place without you.” He stared into her eyes. “I love you, Pia O’Brian. I was too stubborn and scared to admit it until now, but I love you. Please marry me. Not because it’s convenient, but because we can’t imagine life without each other.”
Hope brightened her face. Her lips curved into a smile.
Everything inside of him relaxed. She still cared. They could be together. Except…
“But it won’t just be us,” he told her. “You, me and the twins. There’s also Peter. I can’t leave him in the group home. I want to talk to Mrs. Dawson about adopting him.”
She bit her lower lip. “And if I say no to that?”
He tensed again, feeling the fist hit his gut. “We’re a package deal.”
Everything he’d ever wanted and needed hung on what she would say next. He wanted to tell her that he would take care of her forever. That he would always love her and their children. But he couldn’t bribe her into accepting. They both had to follow their hearts.
“Right answer,” she whispered. “And yes.”
Happiness exploded inside of him. He hauled her against him and kissed her with all the love and passion he had. Behind them he heard something that sounded like both cheering and sniffing. After a few seconds, he raised his head and glanced over his shoulder.
The women he’d met on the street all stood there, joined by the mayor and Mrs. Dawson.
“I’m so happy,” the social worker said, dabbing at her eyes. “You were cleared as an emergency foster parent when Peter went to stay with you the first time. You can go get him now.”
The other women nodded. Marsha smiled. “I knew you had it in you.”
“You didn’t say that earlier.”
“It wouldn’t have helped.”
Note to self, he thought, kissing Pia again. Do not get on the mayor’s bad side.
Pia wrapped her arms around Raoul’s neck and leaned against him. She’d hoped, prayed and done her best to believe it would all work out, but she’d also been scared. Scared that she would spend the rest of her life loving a man who wouldn’t love her back. It was nice to be wrong.
He kissed her again. Her insides started that melty thing, which was also very nice.
“We’ve got a lot to do,” he said, his forehead resting against hers. “Approve the house plans, get married, start birthing classes.”
She laughed. “Don’t worry. I’m really good at details. Right now there’s only one thing that matters.”
He nodded. “Peter.”
“Yes. He should be home from school by now. Let’s go tell him the good news.”
Raoul hesitated. “You’re sure about this? We’ll have three kids.”
“I’m sure.”
There were other considerations. Like the fact that being a mom to newborn twins and Peter probably meant she was going to need an assistant to help her with all the festivals. And that until their new house was built, things were going to be a little crowded in the rental. And that they should get married right away so she could move in with Raoul and Peter. But those were for later. Now they were off to make a little boy’s dreams come true.
PETER SAT ON THE NARROW bed he’d been assigned. This was the same group home he’d been in before, but the kids were different. Not so mean. No one teased him about crying himself to sleep every night.
He tried really hard not to be scared all the time. He told himself he was bigger now. He didn’t need anyone. He was strong. Except when he thought like that, his chest hurt and his throat got tight and then he started crying.
He knew what would happen next. He would be sent to a foster home where he wouldn’t know the rules and the other kids would stare at him. He would try to do everything right, but he wouldn’t and then he’d get yelled at and maybe hit. And he would be alone.
From downstairs, he heard voices. Adults talking. For the first couple of days he’d waited for Raoul to come. To say he’d made a mistake, that he’d changed his mind. That he wanted Peter with him forever.
He’d thought…he’d hoped…
He shook his head. He’d been wrong. No one was coming for him. Not ever.
“Peter?”
He heard Mrs. Goodwin call his name.
“Peter, would you please come downstairs?”