“Did she agree?”

“Yes. But she hopes we’ll all be able to hang out and everything will be fine. I told her we would.” She met his gaze. “Because we’re sort of family.”

Luke’s eyes went wide. “Sarah, that’s really, really generous of you.”

“All I ever wanted was a family. I can’t deny my boys their sister. And if that sister comes with the woman I really wanted to hate forever but can’t seem to manage to do that with time and perspective, then . . . Yeah. That’s how it’s going to be. It won’t be easy, but just like I know Margaret, Bridget, and I will find a new normal, Trish and I will establish a relationship that works for us and the kids.”

Luke shook his head, his eyes filled with admiration. “You amaze me. I know this is a heavy burden. And I want to be the one who shares the load with you, because you’re the one I want to do the same for me. And I know you will because you love me.” He brushed his fingers through her hair. “And though I haven’t asked you to marry me yet, it’s coming. I want you to be surprised and make it special for both of us because it’s the one and only time I plan on doing it.”

“We can take our time,” she assured him, because she knew no matter what they’d always be together.

“But there is still one thing I’d like you to do for me.”

She’d do anything for him. “What?”

“I meant it when I said I want to have a baby of our own. Whether it’s one or five more, I’ll leave up to you.” His grin said he was teasing about five, but she understood his deep desire for a child of his own.

More than anything she loved being a mother. And it seemed Luke couldn’t wait to be a dad. “Baby number three, definitely.”

He gave her one of his amazing smiles. “So if I’m in, and you’re in, I don’t see why we have to wait to make it happen.”

She couldn’t come up with a single reason. “I’ve got nothing, Counselor.”

He smiled. “Then say yes.”

She didn’t hesitate, not when she wanted him and a life together more than anything. “Yes.”

He slipped his hand under her hair at the back of her neck and drew her in for a kiss that sealed their pledge to each other and quickly set off the passion that always burned hot between them. In his arms, she let go of all her worries, the frustration Trish evoked, the uncertainty of what came next, and fell into the promise of a life filled with love and happiness with a man she believed in and trusted, who made her feel safe and special.

Locked in the kiss and in Luke’s arms, where she always wanted to be, she didn’t hear someone walk up on them.

“Dinner’s ready. If you two plan on hiding out here the rest of the night, I’m eating Luke’s dessert.” The amusement in Jason’s voice broke the sultry spell around them.