Four months later…

“No, we can’t go inside yet.” Charlotte grabs my wrist with both hands and leans back, digging her heels into the ground.

“Why not?”

“Because,” she says. “We can’t.”

“Bug, Daddy’s home,” I say. We’re in the driveway and his car is here. “Don’t you want to see him? He probably wonders where we are. We were at Noah’s later than we planned.”

“We need to wait,” she says. “Just a few more minutes.”

I move closer to her so she’s no longer pulling on my arm. “Charlotte, is something going on?”

“I don’t know,” she says.

We spent the afternoon at Megan’s so Charlotte and Noah could play. We’ve been alternating playdate locations and this was supposed to be our week. But Megan insisted we come to her. She said it’s because she’s pregnant and felt like staying home.

However, something seemed a little off. I could have sworn Megan was trying to get us to stay longer. Every time I said I was going to tell Charlotte it was time to clean up so we could go, Megan found something new to talk about. If she’d only done it once, I wouldn’t have noticed. But it must have happened four or five times.

And now Charlotte is acting strange.

I narrow my eyes at her. “What are we waiting for?”

She presses her lips closed and her eyes dart to the sky. “Mm… I don’t know.”

“I think you do know,” I say.

Before she can answer, the door opens and Caleb comes out, smiling. “There’s my girls.”

“Hi, Daddy.” She runs to him and he picks her up.

“Hi, Bug.” He kisses her cheek. “Good work.”

“Good work?” I ask as I walk over to them. “What’s going on?”

He puts Charlotte down and pulls me in for a kiss. “You’ll see. Close your eyes.”

“Why?”

“Just close them.” He moves behind me and places his hands gently over my eyes. “Okay, walk forward.”

“Caleb, what are you doing?” I move where he leads me, his hands still covering my eyes so I can’t see. I hear the door shut and the sound of Charlotte’s footsteps.

“Oh, Daddy,” she says, her voice soft.

“Shh,” he says. “Not yet.”

He walks me farther inside and my heart flutters with anticipation. What is he doing?

“Okay, are you ready?” he asks, his mouth close to my ear.

“Um, I think so.”

His hands drop and I blink to clear my vision. Then I blink again, because I’m sure I must be seeing things.

A gorgeous Steinway grand piano sits in the living room. My mouth drops open and my eyes widen. For a long moment, I can’t do anything but stare at the gleaming black wood and shiny keys.

“Well,” Caleb says, “what do you think?”

I step up next to it and brush my fingers across the keys. “Oh my god. Caleb…”

“It’s not brand new,” he says. “But I did a lot of research and this is one of the best pianos on the market. I talked to the guy who owns Henley’s Music, and he took a look at it for me. He said it’s in perfect condition. We’ll need to get it tuned because of the move, so I don’t know how it sounds right now, though.”

I turn to look at him and he gives me a hopeful smile. “This is the most incredible thing anyone has ever done for me.”

“You like it?” He steps closer and slips his hands around my waist.

“I love it. I love you. I can’t believe you did this.”

He kisses me and I wrap my arms around his neck. I’m so overwhelmed, I don’t know what to do with myself. I never dreamed I’d own a piano as beautiful as this.

“There’s one more thing,” he says, pulling away.

“Something else?” I ask. “You just gave me a piano.”

“It’s little,” he says with a wink. “Bug?”

“Oh! I’ll be right back.” She runs down the short hallway and up the stairs.

“Why don’t you sit,” he says. “Try the bench.”

I lower myself onto the bench in front of the beautiful instrument. My hands are a little shaky and I’m almost afraid to touch it.

Charlotte comes running back with a small pink gift bag. “Got it. It was still in the hiding place.”

Caleb laughs. “That’s perfect. Do you want to give it to her?”

“Can I?” she asks.

“I think you should.”

She climbs in my lap and sits sideways, her legs dangling between mine. She reaches into the bag and pulls out a small black box.

My tummy flip-flops as she puts the box in my hand. It’s square and velvety soft.

Caleb sinks down onto one knee next to me and Charlotte threads her arm around my neck.

Oh my god, is this happening?

“Open it,” Caleb says, his voice low.

With trembling hands and a racing heart, I slowly open the box. My vision blurs as tears fill my eyes. It’s a beautiful ring with a square-cut diamond surrounded by a halo of smaller, sparkling stones.

Caleb pulls out the ring and sets the box on the piano. “Linnea, Charlotte and I would like to know if you’ll marry me, and make the three of us a family forever.”

I’m not sure if I can answer without sobbing. I nod and manage to choke out the words, “Yes. Yes, I will.”

He smiles and takes my shaking hand, holding it steady in his own, and slips the ring on my finger.

Charlotte throws her arms around my neck and hugs me tight. Caleb stands up enough to kiss me. When Bug finally lets go, he gently moves her off my lap and pulls me up. He slides his fingers through my hair and kisses me again. His mouth caresses mine and his tongue slides against my lips. I press my body against him, melting into his kiss. His arms wrap around me and I drift in the feel of him, letting what just happened sink in.

Caleb is going to marry me.

“Okay, Daddy,” Charlotte says. “You’re getting married, you can kiss her later.”

We both laugh and draw Charlotte against us. She wraps her arms around our waists and looks up at us with her sweet brown eyes.

“I love you, Bug,” I say.

“I love you, too,” she says. “Can I be your flower girl? I have experience.”

That makes us laugh again. “Yes, you can definitely be our flower girl,” I say.

* * *

We spend the afternoon making phone calls to share our news. Of course Caleb’s family already knew what he had planned. They’re thrilled to hear it’s official. Kendra starts crying as soon as Caleb gets two words out and has to hand the phone to Weston. When we talk to Alex, we can hear Mia squealing in the background. Ken says he can’t wait for me to officially be his daughter, which makes me tear up all over again.

But the most amazing thing is when we call my parents. The three of us call on Skype, all sitting together at the desk with Charlotte on Caleb’s lap. Bug tells them the news and holds up my hand to show them the ring. My parents smile and congratulate us, and there’s no sign that they’re anything but happy for me.

My mom and I never talked about what happened in Pittsburgh. It took a while before I was ready to speak to her again, but even with the way she treated me, I couldn’t be too hard on her. She lost a child, and I can’t imagine how devastating that must have been.

Ever since I stood up to her, she’s treated me differently. Like a woman capable of making my own choices. Both my parents accepted my relationship with Caleb and haven’t said another word about major symphonies or auditions. I’m not sure if it’s what I said, or simply the fact that I finally asserted myself that made the difference. Whatever the reason, it’s been a relief to start rebuilding a relationship with them—to feel like they’re finally beginning to see me for who I am.

The three of us have dinner at our favorite restaurant to celebrate. After we get home, Caleb puts Charlotte to bed. She’s tired after all the excitement of the day.

While he’s upstairs, I close the lid on my new piano to dampen the volume, and play a few chords. It is a bit out of tune from being moved, but the sound is rich and deep. Closing my eyes, I begin the Schubert piece I played in Pittsburgh. It’s still one of my favorites. I keep my touch light so it’s not too loud, and drift with the music. It flows through me, thrumming through my chest, tingling my skin.

When I finish and slowly open my eyes, Caleb is standing next to me.

“God, I love hearing you play.” He slides onto the bench and I scoot over to make room. “I think I bought this piano as much for me as for you.”

“I still can’t believe you did this,” I say.

He brushes my hair behind my shoulder and leans in to kiss my neck. “I’m glad you like it.”

I tilt my head as his lips press against the sensitive skin below my ear. He reaches out and closes the fall, covering the keys, then moves me in front of him. Grabbing my hips, he lifts me so I’m perched on top of the covered keys.

He stands and kisses me while he slides his hands up my thighs, beneath my dress. His fingers hook around the thin fabric of my panties and he yanks them off. My breath quickens. His mouth is insistent, his hands rough as he grabs my hips, hiking my dress up my legs.

“Get on top,” he says. “I want to taste you.”

He helps me up onto the flat lid and I lie back. Pushing my thighs open, he leans in and caresses me with his tongue. My eyes roll back as waves of sensual heat roll through me. I don’t know how he does it, but his tongue is like magic. He sucks on my clit and I’m ready to burst apart. My hips move with his rhythm and I bite my lip to keep from crying out.

The orgasm sweeps through me and I’m practically vibrating with pleasure. Shock waves reverberate through my whole body and my breath comes in gasps. He growls into me and doesn’t let up, drawing out my climax until I’m panting and begging him to stop.

“Oh my god, Caleb… please… I can’t…”

He kisses my thighs while I catch my breath, then helps me sit up. “I really like this piano.” He runs his hand around the back of my neck and draws me in for a kiss. Tasting my flavor on his lips makes me crazy, and he knows it.

“Caleb, I need you inside me.”

“I’ll give you everything you need, beautiful.”

He stands and picks me up over his shoulder. I laugh as he carries me upstairs and tosses me on the bed. I finish undressing while he pulls off his clothes, revealing his strong arms, broad chest, and toned abs.

I love the way he climbs on top of me, nuzzling my breasts with his mouth as he moves up my body. His skin against mine is heavenly. I slide my arms up his back and wrap my legs around his waist.

He kisses along my neck, his cock teasing the outside of my opening. His voice is low in my ear. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

I gasp when he thrusts inside me. I love feeling so close to him. With our bodies joined, we move together, drowning in bliss. The intensity builds and he increases the pace, taking us from slow and tender to fierce and rough.

No one has ever made me feel so needed. So beautiful. So sexy. So alive. He makes love to me like he could never get enough.

I’m ready to detonate, on the brink of climax. His cock pulses, thickening inside me. He brings his mouth to mine and the simple pleasure of our tongues caressing sends me over the edge. I cling to him, moving my hips with the waves of my orgasm. He groans as he comes, a low noise in the back of his throat. His hips drive into me and his muscles flex. There’s nothing like this moment, when we’re overcome with the feel of each other.

He lingers inside me, slanting his mouth over mine in a slow, lazy kiss. When he slides off, he pulls me close, wrapping me in his strong embrace.

“I’m glad you said yes,” he whispers.

I smile, nuzzling my head against his chest. “Well, you did butter me up with a piano.”

He laughs. “Obviously it worked. There’s just one problem.”

“What’s that?” I ask.

“I don’t know how I’m ever going to top that,” he says. “What can I ever give you that will be better than a grand piano?”

I lift my head and meet his eyes. “I can think of something.”

He puts his arm behind his head. “Yeah? What?”

My mouth turns up in a shy smile and I look up at him from beneath my eyelashes. “A baby.”