He shifts in his seat. “I didn’t get to take you on a honeymoon because we were in the middle of the Skoolie’s transfer and Charlotte’s illness and the whole Jared debacle.”

I roll my eyes at the last part.

“But now that everything with the business is finished and Charlotte is doing remarkably well and Jared is gone . . . for a while,” he says, skirting over the plea deal that will keep Jared in prison for at least five years, “I was thinking we could take a babymoon.”

I laugh. “A what?”

“A babymoon. I read about it online. It’s like a honeymoon, but you take it before the birth of your baby. You know, like a final getaway before life gets super fun.”

Oh, Cole. You sweet man.

I grin so hard that my cheeks ache.

“Where would we go? Who would watch Ethan? Can we really just get away like that with Skoolie’s and your real estate company and the baseball league? You’re in the middle of building an entire new Bloomfield Youth Sports Complex.”

He grins.

“There’s so much happening, Cole.”

“And none of it is as important as us. Our relationship.”

God, I love you.

“Okay,” I say, sitting back and forgetting all about the meatloaf. “What do you have in mind? Because I can tell you’ve already been planning.”

He smirks. “Yes. A little. Let’s call it preplanning.”

“Go on.”

“Dad can handle Beck Properties. If he needs me, he can call. Bud’s on board with monitoring the field situation. He’s thrilled to be a part of the project. Burt said he could handle Skoolie’s—”

“You’ve talked to Burt about this?”

He laughs. “Vaguely. Simmer down.”

“What’s with the two of you, anyway? You two are as thick as thieves.”

“What? I like him. He can be a little difficult, but he’s helpful. He helped me find the electrician for the house. Remember?”

I roll my eyes, more amused than annoyed, because Burt and I have worked out our own relationship. As long as I give him the space he needs and deserves, he gives me mine. It turns out that we’re a pretty good team when we communicate. Go figure.

“Fine,” I say. “Go on.”

“And Mom is over the moon about getting to have Ethan to herself for a while. I think she’s already been making a menu.”

I laugh. “I bet she has.”

He leans against the table and takes my hands in his. “So, what do you think?”

I think I’m so lucky that we found each other.

“Just tell me. I know you’ve already booked something,” I say. “I can tell.”

He chuckles. “Okay. Maybe.”

“Cole!” I laugh. “What did you do now?”

“We leave for Auckland in the morning.”

My jaw drops to the floor. He has to be kidding me. He remembered that?