Head over Heels: A Single Dad Romance(19)

"Come on," Elizabeth grabbed my hand and pulled me towards the porch, "we get to be front and center today."

Michael gave her a stern look and Elizabeth feigned innocence, "What," she asked, "that's what you said… we're going to-"

"We're going to get a lot of good pictures today," he interrupted and grabbed my other hand.

We all gathered around the porch and down the steps for the group shot, and as I looked around, I saw just how many people helped make my dream a reality. The photographer snapped a huge number of pictures of the group and when he was done we all rubbed our eyes.

"Why does he need to use his flash," Andrew complained, "it's daytime."

I was so caught up in the people milling about that I missed Michael step away.

"Hey, Devon," Mimi saddled up to me and gave me a big hug, "what a great day!" We all started moving away from the house to make room for the next set of pictures and I saw Jeremy Rainier at the edge of the crowd looking at us intently. "This house is fabulous - you did an amazing job," she gushed.

"What's he doing here," I whispered to Mimi.

"I'm sure Michael invited him," she shrugged, "probably to show him what a great job you did and that you should be made a partner." We both laughed over the chances of any intern rising to the ranks of partner.

Nana Jill gave her a nod and Mini jumped as if on cue, "Oh, more pictures."

We made our way through the crowd and when we got to the porch a huge For Sale sign was planted in the finely manicured lawn.

"What the-" I mouthed more than whispered. Confused, I looked up at Mimi and then around for Michael. With so many people around I didn't want to make a scene, but this wasn't the plan.

The plan was to use the house to market our skills and drum up business. It was the only thing I had going for me when the project was over. The one certainty in my life was rapidly disappearing right in front of my eyes.

A second later Michael and Elizabeth appeared with a sharply dressed woman holding a picture frame and a key - our key - to our house.

"Ok now," she said briskly and smiled up at Michael, "let's gather round for the big moment."

Jealousy joined my anger and I looked over at Mimi. Her eyes went wide and she imitated a huge fake grin and cocked her head toward the crowd. She all but screamed, "Just go with it," with her actions.

The corners of my mouth lifted into something resembling a smile and I walked over in front of the sign to join the others. Micheal had picked up Elizabeth in one arm and motioned for me to join him in the crook of his other.

Crook, somehow that seemed like the appropriate word right now. He was stealing my future right out from under my nose. I moved in close to him and - against my will - savored what was probably the last contact I would ever have with him.

I looked over at the crowd of people watching us and tried my best to smile. The real estate agent handed a photograph of the house to Elizabeth and we all smiled for a few snaps.

"Now the big one," she smiled brightly at me but then handed the key to Michael. With one arm full with his daughter and the other wrapped around my waist, he jostled for a moment before letting go of me.

"Telling," I thought and smiled through the pain.

Michael reached out for the key and we all smiled into the camera for a few more pictures.

When those were done, the real estate agent stepped back and out of the frame just in time for Michael to drop to one knee in front of me. Flashbulbs went off while I stared down at him and saw his daughter climb up and sit on his knee.

That was unexpected.

"I was talking with my daddy," she looked up at me with hopeful eyes, "and we agreed that we've both loved you since the first time we ever met you."

"Yeah," she turned to the crowd that was oohing and aahing over her cuteness, "that's a long time."

I laughed and looked at Michael and saw he was watching me intently. When our eyes met, his face transformed into my favorite lopsided grin.

"Well," Elizabeth went on commanding the attention of the crowd as only a mini drama queen could, "we just couldn't even imagine living here without her-"

I gasped when it hit me - what was really happening. My eyes flew to Michael and I saw him pull out a small velvet box. The ring sparkled as brightly as his eyes, and my breath caught in my chest.

This was really happening.

"So, Devon," Elizabeth looked up at me with a mix of hopeful confidence, "will you marry us?"





Epilogue





1 Year Later




~ RING RING

"Saunders and Saunders Design and Construction," I automatically responded.

"Not if you don't make it to the wedding."

I looked at the clock and gasped, "I've been working on the Anderson layout," I started to explain, "Where did the time go?"

"Well," he drawled, "I know a certain someone that's been waiting very patiently the entire time."

"Patiently?" That would be a first, Elizabeth was never known for her patience. I picked up the phone and went to open the office door.

"Mommy!!" Elizabeth was jumping up in down in front of the door, "You're home!!" She had a book in her hand and there was a fluffy step stool within view.