“I’m so nervous,” Alice says as she paces the floor.

She’s got on a yellow sundress, and I want to rip it off her and take her right here on the living room floor. Her curly red hair is flowing down her back, and my hands twitch to grip it while she’s under me. I’m trying to control my animal instincts, but seeing her baby bump in the dress is driving me insane. Knowing she’s pregnant, and knowing that I put it there, has my inner caveman beating his chest.

“Calm down. Come sit next to me.” I pat the cushion on the couch, but she gives me a stare and shakes her head.

She’s right. If she gets close to me right now, I won’t be able to stop from bending her over the couch and lifting that dress up. I’d be ten inches deep when our company arrived, and we both know that’s a bad idea.

“They’re here!” she shouts, as if I didn’t hear the door shut outside.

I called Maggie and Eli this morning and asked them to come over. I wanted to discuss a few things with them, and I wanted all of us to talk face to face.

When Maggie comes through the door, she goes straight for Alice. It warms my heart to see the love the two of them share, and I’m so happy that Alice has Maggie as a friend. Eli walks over, and we half hug, half beat each other on the back. Once Maggie has peeled herself from Alice, she gives me a hug, too. We all say hello, and then Maggie and Eli take a seat on the couch.

I reach out, taking Alice’s hand and pulling her down on the sofa next to me, wrapping my arm around her waist. Maggie looks at us for a second and then looks at Eli with a question in her eyes.

“Yeah, I’ve known, sunshine,” he says, without having to be asked anything. “I could see a man gone crazy for a woman because I’d looked in the mirror a time or two.”

“I’m so sorry—” Alice starts, but I cut her off.

“Alice and I are together, and she told me that you know about the baby,” I say to Maggie.

“Oh my Jesus! It’s yours!” Maggie shouts, and bounces in her seat. “I’m going to be an aunt!”

“A baby?” Eli says, with pure happiness in his voice. He sounds almost as excited as I did. “This is awesome news. Congratulations, guys.”

I squeeze Alice to me and kiss the top of her head. “See? Nothing to worry about.”

“I just didn’t want you to think I betrayed your friendship, Maggie. I love your dad. I have from the second we met. You’ve always been so kind to me, and I didn’t want you to think I was using you.”

“Oh God, Alice. Never. You’re like a sister to me.” She tilts her head to the side and thinks. “I guess now you’re more like a stepmom to me!” Maggie laughs and jumps up, wrapping Alice in a hug.

“So, just a few more things are in order,” I say, clearing my throat.

Maggie moves back to sit with Eli, but she’s clearly about to burst with excitement.

“Alice and I are going to be staying here. Maggie and Eli, you’re both welcome to live here if you want, but I know Eli has a house now.”

“We’ll be staying there, sir,” Eli says, putting a possessive hand on Maggie’s leg.

She’ll always be my little girl, but I’m happy that she’s chosen a good man to take care of her. I couldn’t have chosen anyone better for her.

“All right, then I guess the big decision is for Alice now,” I say, looking over at her.

She’s looks at me and then at Maggie and Eli with a confused look on her face. “What do you mean, Major?”

I slip off the couch, pull the small box out of my pocket, and kneel in front of her. I open the box and hold it out so she can see it while I take her hand.

“I know I keep saying you don’t have a choice in marrying me, but I want to give you the chance to choose me. I won’t give up until you say yes, and I’ll never stop trying to make you happy. But I want you to know that I choose you, and I’ll never, ever leave you. Because I love you, and I can’t live without you. I want you to choose that, too.” Alice puts her hands over her mouth, and I see tears slip free.

“Shhh. Don’t cry, sweet girl,” I say, wiping them away. “Marry me, Alice. Make me the happiest man in the world, and make our family grow.”

“You better say yes,” Maggie says from behind me, and we all laugh. She’s bouncing in her seat, and Eli is practically holding her in a death grip to keep her still.

Alice nods, and I hear a teary “yes” before she throws herself into my arms. I wrap my arms around her and hold her close as she cries happy tears. I glance over and see Maggie crying now, but Eli is holding her and smiling at us.

We may be a makeshift family, but we’re family all the same. We’ve got it where it counts the most—in our hearts.

When Alice pulls back, I slip the ring on her finger, and she looks down at it. I bought it right after we met, knowing that one day I’d get it on her, one way or another. It’s a single carat solitaire on a gold band. It’s simple but beautiful, just like my sweet girl is. Once it’s on, she looks up at me, and suddenly her mouth is on mine.

The kiss nearly knocks me over backwards, but I hold her close and kiss her back until she’s finished. When we break apart, her cheeks are fiery red, as if just remembering that we aren’t alone. I give her a quick kiss and pull her to me as I stand up and look at Maggie and Eli.

“Who’s hungry?” I ask, and everyone jumps up.

“As long as Eli isn’t cooking, I’m down to eat,” Maggie says, and elbows him.

We make our way to the kitchen and start pulling stuff out of the fridge to eat. Alice leans into me and looks around at the scene.

“Is it real, all of this? It feels like a dream.”

“It’s a dream come true,” I answer, kissing the top of her head and holding her close.

I keep her by my side, where she’ll stay for the rest of our lives.