Chapter Nineteen

Darcy finished her work on Tuesday afternoon and then turned off her computer. She wondered if she’d truly accomplished anything. Her head had been in the clouds for the past few days.

Ed had turned her world upside down when she met him, but when she made love to him—time stood still.

In time, perhaps, it would be the normal to be so happy. But, for now, she was enjoying the euphoria of happiness.

Darcy looked around and wondered how she was going to get home with all of the office gifts she’d received for her birthday. Mary Ellen had ordered a birthday cake, which they had cut at lunch. She’d brought her a birthday basket full of bath salts and lotions, too. The human resource department had sent her flowers, and one of the ladies from accounting had brought her balloons. She’d never had this much attention on her birthday. How could anyone top it?

Ed called her from his office, and she turned and walked through the door, an enormous smile pushing at her cheeks.

“You look happy,” he said.

“I’m in awe of all the attention I’ve been given today. Top that with the fact that I’m absolutely in love with the greatest man in the world, and yeah—I’m happy.”

“Is this guy you love as good looking as me?” He gave her a wink. “Okay, I’m headed out to pick up Christian and take him to his appointment. Mom is expecting you whenever you get done here. She’s worried you won’t like lasagna.”

“I love lasagna.”

“Good answer.” He smiled as he picked up his keys. “I love you. I’ll see you soon.” He walked around his desk and pressed a long, hard kiss to her lips and then turned to walk out the door. “By the way,” he said as he walked away, “you’re not going to be living in the basement much longer. I think you’d better start packing and just move in with me.”

He never looked back. He just kept walking.

Darcy’s heart beat faster in her chest. She looked down at her wrist and then squeezed her eyes closed. Family—and Ed was hers.

Christian hobbled to the truck, and Ed tapped his fingers on his arms, which were crossed over his chest. “You are so slow.”

“Next week I’ll kick your ass for that.”

“I bet you will,” Ed laughed as he watched his brother struggle to climb into the truck. He’d help him if he needed it, but he was sure Christian would do anything just to be a little independent.

Once he was in, Ed closed the door and walked around to the other side. He climbed in and started the truck.

“Oh, before I forget,” Christian said as he dug into his pocket and pulled out the ring box, “I don’t want to be responsible for this anymore.”

Ed opened the box and looked down at the ring. It was perfect. Darcy had been happy when he’d left her at the office, but in a few hours, she’d be over the moon.

“So you’re going to ask her tonight?” Christian asked as he fastened his seat belt.

“Yep. Or at least make it official. We’ve been doing a lot of talking about it.”

“I’m happy for you. I was beginning to wonder if your time had run out.” He laughed.

But Ed had, at times, wondered that too.

Ed pulled up in front of the hospital and let Christian out, and then he went to park. As he climbed out of the truck, he received the text message from Darcy that she was at his parents’ house with his aunts, cooking dinner.

He could only imagine the chaos in the kitchen, and the laughing and gossiping.

Ed walked through the hospital, and the thought that his future wife had made her entrance into the world in that very building on that very day was a bit surreal. How amazing that her path in life would bring her back to Nashville and to him.

Christian was already in the exam room when Ed made it to him.

“Do they need to cut your leg off, or do you get to keep it?”

“Totally get to keep it, but we are discussing bionic upgrades.” Christian laughed. “Oh, and if you want to get going, you can. Uncle Curtis is on his way over from the clinic. They found Darcy’s records. He’s on his way to pick them up.”

A chill ran down Ed’s spine. He still wasn’t sure he liked the idea of giving her the information, but what would it hurt? The woman who had given Darcy away was dead, and soon, she’d be his wife—he’d always take care of her.

Ed looked at his watch. It really wouldn’t be anything to wait for his brother and uncle, but it would be a few more minutes with his love if he could ditch his brother.

“So he’ll bring you to dinner then?”

“He said he’s headed that way after he’s done here. I’ll catch a ride with him.”

Ed nodded and turned for the door.

“Hey, Ed,” Christian called, and he turned back. “I’m really excited for you. I can’t wait to see the expression on her face when you give her the ring. So make sure I’m there.”

“I will.”

The fragrant aroma of garlic from his mother’s house met Ed out in street. She was putting on a spread.

It wasn’t that he was late, but this family loved a dinner together, which was why they did it so often. His sister’s car was already there. Regan, Zach, John, and Arianna were there. Tyler’s car was there which meant Spencer was there too. Avery must have come with her mother, for they traveled as a pair most the time. And, of course, Darcy’s monster of a truck was parked there, too.

Ed let out a breath. He was going to have a big audience tonight.

When he walked through the front door of the house, it was no surprise that his grandparents sat on the couch. He walked right to them and kissed them both before finding his mother in the kitchen.

“Oh good, you’re here,” she said as she stirred the sauce on the stove. “Find your father and help him set up that extra table.”

Ed kissed his mother’s cheek and walked out to the family room where they had set up the longer tables. Darcy stood with Tyler and Spencer, enjoying a laugh. When she looked up, they all turned his way.

Their eyes. What a strange thing to notice, all the sudden. They all had the same eyes.

Darcy walked across the room and placed a gentle kiss on his lips. “Hello, handsome.”

“You sure do fit in here, don’t you?”

“I do.” She waved her wrist to acknowledge the tattoo. “Where is your brother?”