Ready or Not (Ready #4)(78)

At least my embarrassing statement on the news was now nullified. Dozen of hate messages had begun pouring in from concerned citizens over the misuse of tax money over my faulty AMBER Alert.

Liv’s father had helped where he could, fielding questions and issuing blanket statements for the family as a whole. The assistance was greatly appreciated. It hadn’t made up for everything in the past, but it certainly left the possibility of something more between Liv and her parents open in the future.

While the world had exploded around the three of us, we’d tried to focus on each other. The phone rang, the door bell rang and sometimes it seemed like peace and quiet would never come.

But none of it mattered because we had him back.

The phone would eventually quiet, the media would find something else to talk about, and our lives would return back to normal with just the three of us.

“Dad,” a small voice uttered from the doorway.

“Yeah, buddy?” I replied, lifting my head to find him slowly walking toward us.

His hair was a mess, and he looked so much younger in his sleepy state. “Can I…I mean, would you let me—”

“Come on, get in here,” I said, answering the question he was so scared to ask.

He gave a relieved smile as I lifted the covers and scooted over, so he could crawl between us. He nuzzled into my pillow and curled slightly onto his side. I looked over to find Liv watching him, her hand reaching out to push away the loose piece of hair that had fallen into his face.

Our eyes met, and in that moment, I knew that I not only wanted this woman for my wife, but I wanted her to be the mother Noah had never had.

He deserved a mother like Liv.

Following the incident, Noah stayed home from school the first few days, but eventually returned and he began to adjust. His biggest fears were resolved when the kids all rallied around him, giving him support and love, rather than contempt and indifference. The lack of friends was a nonissue, and Noah suddenly adored middle school. It could have something to do with the female attention he’d been receiving since his harrowing adventure.

He took it in stride though and didn’t let the extra attention go to his head—much.

Despite my best efforts, I couldn’t keep my parents from flying in immediately, so the first few days were spent with them, catching up with Noah and me. Also, they were finally able to meet Liv.

Having grown up in Richmond, my mom and Liv made a great pair. Mom took a tour of Liv’s house, and told her stories about the previous owners and how she used to play in the attic as a girl. Still recovering from everything that had happened, we stayed close to home, eating like kings as my parents showed off their new culinary skills they’d learned from a cooking class at the retirement center.

As their time came to a close and we pulled up to the airport, my mom turned to me, her blue eyes shimmering.

“She’s lovely, Jackson. Don’t wait too long,”

“She’s a tricky one, Mom. I don’t want to scare her away,” I replied.

“Just trust me.” She winked.

After saying farewell at the airport, I thought about what she’d said the entire way home. So lost in my thoughts, I ended up passing both houses completely, Minutes later, I found myself driving through Carytown, walking by many of Liv’s favorite stores and restaurants. I decided to park and walk a bit. I wandered through some of the shops and even stopped for a cup of coffee at a small café. As I was turning the corner back toward my car after my impromptu afternoon walk, a small boutique caught my eye, begging me to take a look.

I doubled back and walked through the old antique door, knowing Liv would have a million adjectives to describe how much she loved this place.

It was small and cozy with mismatched furniture and display cabinets that all somehow seemed to go together. Local art hung on the walls while beautiful pieces of jewelry sparkled and shined under the glow of the warm lights.

“Can I help you?” an older woman asked.

She could have been Liv’s mother in another lifetime. Dressed in boho chic, she had a long brown braid going down her side with tons of bracelets and rings adorning her skin.

“I don’t know. I just kind of stumbled in,” I admitted, looking around from one case to another.

“Well, anyone in particular you had in mind when you stumbled in?” she asked, smiling.

“My girlfriend.”

Her playful grin grew warm as she watched me consider each piece with interest.

“A pair of earrings perhaps?” she suggested.

My eyes settled on the one thing I knew I wouldn’t be leaving without. “This,” I said suddenly, pointing to the emerald ring below.

“Good choice. Would you like to know how much it costs?” she asked warmly.

“No,” I answered honestly.

It wouldn’t matter. Now that I’d seen it, nothing else would match it.

“Well, at least let me tell you a bit about it. It was handmade by a local jeweler, so it’s one of a kind. The emerald is about a carat…maybe slightly more. White gold, vintage setting with pave diamond accents flanked on either side.”

“It’s perfect.”

She smiled and lingered a moment. Then, she turned to the cash register to ring me up. I handed over my credit card without a second glance at the total.

Now that I had a ring, I just had to find the right moment.