One year later

Ava

 

 

“Griffin! Levi! I’m home and I’ve brought tacos.” I slam the door closed with my elbow, my hands full with bags of the local Mexican restaurant’s delicious tacos and the bakery’s desserts. Dropping the bags down onto the table, I listen but don’t hear my guys. My guys…I will never get tired of that thought. Ever since I came to my senses and opened my heart completely to Griffin, he has spent every single day proving to me it’s okay to trust again. Two months ago, when my lease was due to renew, he convinced me it was ridiculous to continue living next door to each other when Maverick and I spend more time here than at my place.

I cancelled my lease and we moved all my stuff over here. His place is only two bedrooms like mine but he created an office area for me to do my work. When I came home to my desk, computer, and filing cabinet all situated neatly with my framed covers hanging on the walls, I about cried.

Checking my cell phone to make sure I read Griffin’s text correctly, I see I did. Maybe he’s running late?

Maverick wags his tail, so I fill his bowls with some food and water. Grabbing the bags to disperse the food, I see a note on the table I didn’t notice before.

Meet us on the patio and bring the food.

Smiling with curiosity, I put the tacos back into the bag and make my way down the hallway toward the patio. I pull the door open and find Griffin and Levi both standing there, side by side.

“I take it we’re eating outside.” I put the bag down and look at the guys. Both are still standing there, Levi grinning and Griffin almost looking nervous.

“What’s going on?” And that’s when I notice the shirts. Griffin’s reads, “Marry me and I’ll buy you tacos for the rest of our life.”

My eyes dart to Levi’s shirt. There’s an arrow pointing to Griffin, and it reads, “Marry my dad and he’ll buy you tacos.”

“Griffin,” I breathe out as he steps forward, taking my hands in his.

“Ava, my taco-loving woman.” He chuckles and I find myself sniffling back the unshed tears. “It’s been one year since you agreed to be my girlfriend, but it’s not enough. It will never be enough until you have infiltrated every nook and cranny of my life. It would mean the world to me if you would do me the honor of becoming my wife. Ava Milano, will you marry me?”

My arms come up, wrapping around his neck. “Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” I give him a kiss but force myself to stop it from becoming too heated, remembering we have an ten-year-old in front of us.

“I have something to ask too,” Levi says shyly. I move from Griffin’s arms and step in front of Levi. “I was wondering if maybe…once you marry my dad, I can call you Mom.”

Those unshed tears that were threatening to spill over, fall. Hard. I pull Levi into my arms and give him a hug that has him giggling because I’m squeezing him so tightly.

“You absolutely can, Levi. But you don’t have to wait until we’re married. It would mean the world to me for you to call me Mom now.”

“All right. Let’s celebrate with some tacos.” Griffin opens the bag and starts pulling the food out. We all sit down and start eating our tacos when his phone starts ringing. “Hey Sean, what’s up?” He stills for a second. “We’re on our way.” He hangs up, a huge grin splaying across his lips. “Prim is in labor. It’s time. She’s going to have the baby.”

“Oh my god!” I squeal. “Let’s go!”

“Wait! Can I eat my tacos in the car?” Levi asks. “I’m hungry!”