Four months later
“Thank you so much for today,” I tell Jason.
“I’m glad you liked it. Did you have fun, Rae Rae?” He peeks at her through the rearview mirror.
“It was awesome,” she exclaims.
Jason surprised me with a trip to the elephant sanctuary where they moved the elephants from the Nashville Zoo. They have a small section for visitors to see some of the elephants. I was able to pet one. The experience was unique, and I was surprised when Jason showed me where we were going.
The last four months have been the best of my life. Things are settled, and Scott and I finally got Rae’s custody legalized. He has his rights as her father, still remaining as the alternate residential parent. She spends every other weekend with him, but Jason and I are pretty flexible. The holidays will be difficult. She’ll spend Christmas morning with us and then spend the afternoon with Scott and his family. Somehow, we’ve created a normal for us, and Rae is happy, which is my priority.
The hour and a half drive back home from the sanctuary flew. Jason is already pulling into the driveway and turning off the car before I realize we’re home. Rae jumps out of the car first and races to the door. Jason laughs and follows her, unlocking the front door while I grab her bag from the backseat, shaking my head.
When I walk into the house, I see two matching pairs of cowboy boots with a bouquet of white daisies and eucalyptus leaves over the bigger pair. The scent of brown leather washes all over the house.
“What is this?” I turn to Jason.
“Every country princess needs her own pair of cowboy boots. We’re living out our southern fairytale, Cassidy Rae. Every morning I wake up and thank the Lord that He brought you into my life. I thank Him for Rae, because she’s as special to me as if she were my own.” He places his hand over my stomach and smiles. “And soon you’re going to bless me with my own.”
We haven’t told anyone that I’m pregnant, yet. We wanted to wait a few more months, when the pregnancy is more established. I wipe my face and laugh between my tears. Jason cried when I told him I was pregnant two months ago. He kissed me for a long time, made me promise I wasn’t joking, and then made love to me. I had never seen him so happy before.
He guides me toward the boots. Pointing to the smaller pair, he says, “These are for my little princess,” he smiles at Rae. “You told me a long time ago you wanted to be a cowgirl. Every girl should own a pair of cowboy boots to leave the boys in the dust.”
“Those are for me?” Rae asks. Jason nods. She walks up to the boots and holds one up. “Mommy, we match.” She hugs the shoe and twirls around.
“We do, baby girl.” I look back at Jason. “Thank you.”
“I need to thank you for taking me as I am. I love you, Cassidy Rae.” He waves Rae over. “I love your daughter.”
Rae smiles at him. “I love you, too, Jason,” she tells him.
“I’ve never wanted anything more than I want a life with you,” he looks back at me. “All of you.” He looks between us.
My hand covers my mouth when I realize he’s getting down on one knee. “Cassidy Rae Pressman, will you fulfill the happily ever after of our southern fairytale and be my wife?”
I nod my head a bunch of times and cry yes. Jason holds the black velvet box open and I see the ring. I cover my mouth again, tears streaming down my face. Rae hugs my waist, witnessing it all.
Jason stands and kisses me, placing the ring on my finger. “It’s a duplicate of your mom’s, with its own uniqueness to it.” I stare at the ring that does resemble my mom’s and admire the additional baguette diamonds he added to each side.
Jason then bends down and looks at Rae. “I have something for you, too. I know I’m not your real dad, but I’d love to be your stepdad. I already consider you my daughter.” Rae looks at him in awe as he pulls out a necklace with a tiny round diamond. He puts it on her and hugs her.
There is no point in trying to stop the waterworks. This is too much. The boots and the proposal. We’re having a baby.
“Does this mean I can call you dad? Because I’ve kinda been doing that in my head.”
Jason and I both stare at Rae.
“You have your dad, but if you’d like to call me that, I’d be happy. I do want you to remember Scott’s importance in your life.” If I thought I couldn’t fall in love with Jason more than I already am, I was just proven wrong.
“I know, but it’s like I have two dads. It’s super cool.” Rae touches her necklace. “Thank you.” She kisses Jason’s cheek.
When he looks at me, I see the same adoration I feel reflected back at me. I am going to spend the rest of my life loving this man and building our family. No one else could replace him. I wish my mom were here to witness this, but I’m so very grateful my dad is here to walk me down the aisle when the time comes.
“Congratulations.” I turn my head toward the hallway that leads to the bedrooms and see my dad. I walk up to him and give him a hug. When I move away, I’m met with a bright smile.
“You’re here.” I link my arm with his and look at Jason.
“I wouldn’t let him miss this. We’re a family,” Jason says. “And in a bit, we’re going to celebrate with the rest of our family.” Jason’s parents and sisters have taken us in. They love Rae, too. His parents are kind-hearted people. It doesn’t surprise me they raised such an amazing man.
I never believed in this kind of love, despite growing up with it with my parents. Once I had Rae, I knew my life was over and her life was my priority. I didn’t think I would be able to balance the two until Jason stormed into my life and proved to me that I can give my daughter the best life while living my best life. It’s not about sacrificing who I am to raise her. I need to teach her that I am my own person, so she knows to follow a path of individuality.
I want to show her that it’s okay to accept our flaws and know that there are no mistakes, but lessons. She wasn’t born out of love, but I’m showing her what love feels like. She has two homes where she is loved, and she can see through Jason and I what a loving relationship is like.
All those romantic movies I watched and compared myself to are dim in comparison to the real thing. Jason is my forever, and together we’re building a lifetime of memories.
“Forever and ever,” Jason murmurs against my lips.
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