They pulled into Seamus and Carolina’s driveway, where Ethan was in the yard with Jackson, Kyle and their dog, playing with a soccer ball. When Ethan saw them, he let out a happy cry and ran for his mother. She scooped him up and peppered his face with kisses. “Are you guys having fun?”

“So much fun.”

She put Ethan down and reached for Kyle and Jackson, who ran to her, too.

Her sweetness to the boys hit Paul right in the chest.

“I don’t hafta go home yet, do I?” Ethan asked.

“Not quite, but Paul and I wanted to talk to you.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, baby.” Hope gathered him into her arms again. “It’s really good news. At least we hope you’ll think so.”

While Kyle and Jackson looked on, Paul squatted down so he could look Ethan in the eye. “How’d you like to stay here on Gansett?”

Ethan’s big eyes widened with glee. “Really?” He looked up at his mom, who nodded. “So we don’t hafta move away?”

“Last night, I asked your mom to marry me, and she said yes. Now I’m hoping you’ll say yes, too, so you guys will get to stay here with me.”

Ethan hurled himself at Paul, who managed to keep his balance as he hugged him.

“Should I take that as a yes?” Paul said, thrilled by Ethan’s reaction.

“We really get to stay forever?” Ethan asked his mother.

“Yes, honey.”

“And will you be my new dad?” he asked Paul.

The question hit him with the force of a gut punch. “If that’s what you want,” he said gruffly.

“It is.” Ethan broke free of Paul’s embrace. “Hey, you guys,” he said to Jackson and Kyle, “me and my mom are gettin’ married!”

Paul exchanged glances with Hope, her smile as wide as his. He held out his hand to help her up. As the boys ran inside to tell Seamus and Carolina the news, Paul hugged her. “I guess it’s official now.”

“No getting out of it.”

He kissed her and then kept his arm around her as they followed the boys into the house. “No worries about that, sweetheart. I’m in.” He stole one more kiss while he could. “I’m all-in.”

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Author’s Note

Author’s Note