First Kiss Last by Sara Miller (read e book .TXT) 📗

and hugged her, completely overcome by emotion.

Meanwhile, Robert and Cade both had their phones out and started taking pictures. All the children had a turn holding the baby. Allison and Emmie sat together for theirs. Robert took his turn last.

“You sure you don’t want another one?” he teased his wife.

Lily shook her head and laughed. “No way! It’s finally my turn to be the aunt!”

They passed the baby back to Leah. Cade, Sky, and Liam moved in for their first family photo. Leah decided this was her favorite moment instead.

The nurse came in and frowned at such a large group. She made noise about maybe taking turns in the room or coming back later. It did not sound half bad. Leah wondered if she could get a bit of sleep.

“Just a few more minutes, please. I have something really important I need to say,” Cade said.

The nurse gave him a look but did not kick anyone out. Instead, she stood with her arms crossed, clearly making her opinion known.

Cade looked at Sky and she handed a small package to her dad. Leah had seen it before. Was this really happening? She watched Cade get down on one knee.

“Leah . . . will you marry me, love?”

“Yes!” This time her voice worked. This time she could answer freely with her whole heart. Cade slipped the ring on her finger and the diamond twinkled. Everyone was talking at once. Liam was whooping it up.

Leah peeked at the nurse and even she was smiling. When things calmed down, the nurse tried again, “Anything else?” she asked, her tone more friendly.

“Actually, yes.” Cade looked surprised when Leah spoke but she had officially waited long enough.

“Cade, I just had your baby. I love you. I can’t wait to be your wife, but I have been waiting for something since I was fourteen years old . . .”

Leah watched recognition dawn on Cade’s face.

“As you wish,” he said leaning in, their faces only a breath apart.

Cade kissed her for the first time ever in real life.

After all they’d been through, they shared their first kiss at last. Even though it was over twenty years in the making and done completely out of order, it was literally everything she had dreamed and then some. It was also probably quite inappropriate for the smaller children to witness. But Leah did not care and Cade did not break the kiss.

The kids squealed. Leah heard Lily promise to explain to Robert later. It didn’t matter if no one else understood. It was absolutely perfect.

This was it. Leah was now two hundred percent sure: this was her happiest moment ever.

Epilogue

Leah stood in Cade’s bedroom holding their daughter. She looked around in confusion. When she saw Cade, she couldn’t help but smile.

“What are we doing here?” she asked. Cade came up and wrapped them both in a hug. He kissed Leah then kissed their daughter.

Little Henley was still dressed and wrapped in the hospital-issued garments. Even the generic pink and blue hat was still on her head.

“You know,” Leah gently chided, “We don’t have to keep meeting like this anymore.”

“We have three kids, love. We’ll want to take our privacy anywhere we can get it.” He kissed her to show what he meant.

“Besides,” he added, “I couldn’t wait any longer to show you!” Cade did look very excited. Like Liam on Christmas.

“Show me what?” she laughed.

Instead of telling her, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the bedroom. Leah moved easily and knew in real life even taking these few steps would hurt.

Cade led them down the hall and opened Liam’s door. Inside was no longer the room of a small boy. All the boy paraphernalia had been removed and in its place was a soft neutral palette.

Leah stepped inside and rocked her daughter in her arms as she turned a full circle. She took in a storybook nursery.

“But where? How?” She tried to ask too many questions at the same time. “It’s beautiful,” she said instead.

“Do you like it?”

“I love it. It’s perfect! But you didn’t have to get all this. I already have most of it. And where is Liam’s stuff?” She panicked thinking of Liam being displaced.

Cade led her over to the glider rocker. She sat down, still stunned.

“First of all, most of it is your stuff. I . . .” he rubbed his head in a guilty fashion. “I might have convinced Robert to bring it over. You did say yes, and I want you both here. Lily and the kids all pitched in as soon as they left the hospital.”

Leah tried to wrap her brain around what he had orchestrated. They had worked fast! She was impressed and blessed. She thought about Liam again but before she could ask, Cade was ready to answer.

“Secondly, Liam took Sky’s room.” He shrugged nonchalantly.

“Okay, then what about Sky?” Leah cringed as her words came out more of a demand than a question.

Now Cade looked confused. “She moved into the basement.”

“You have a basement?”

“We have a basement,” he corrected with a chuckle. “When you get out of the hospital you need to come see the house in real life. I’ll give you a tour.”

Cade helped her up and once again encircled her in a hug as if he could not keep his hands off her. Leah did not mind. She felt the same way.

“Side note,” he said, “No more hugging Robert.”

“Cade Emerson, you were jealous!” she accused with a laugh. “Robert has always been a big brother to me. You know that.”

“I know. He’s a good guy too,” Cade chuckled. “I just can’t help myself. Old habits die hard. I waited a long time for you, love.”

“I waited a long time for you too.” They gazed at each other for several heartbeats. Leah could barely believe all that had brought them to this moment.

“Did you see the crib?” Cade asked, breaking the silence. His voice sounded unsure.

Leah stepped over to the crib. It was absolutely gorgeous. She had