Page 36 of Finding English

Cassie’s eye began to mist as the emotion in her heart cracked, wanting that more than anything. “How did I get so lucky?”

“I’m the one who got lucky. I met the love of my life and got a two-for-one with Michaela.”

“I love that you feel that way. I don’t think I could love a man who didn’t want her as much as he wanted me.”

“Well, it’s a good thing you don’t have to.” His lips brushed hers in a hot intense kiss before he released her. “Let’s get this picnic started.”

They spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the stream, playing with Micky and the dogs, and eating the food Josie had packed. It was perfect, so perfect not even the check-ins or the occasional sound of the drone overhead could taint the day.

Later that night as she and Henry tucked Michaela into bed, her daughter reflected on her picnic.

“Today was the best day ever.”

Henry, who was on his knees beside the bed, his elbows leaning on the comforter as Cassie sat on the edge beside Micky, smiled. “Want to know a secret, munchkin?” Henry looked at her with a conspiratorial wink. Micky nodded like her head might fall off.

“Today was the best day ever for me, too. I got to spend it with my two favorite people in the world.” As if her heart wasn’t full enough, it was now overflowing.

“Are you my daddy now, Henry?”

Henry looked at Cassie with surprise before he looked back to Mic. “Would you want that, sweetheart?”

Michaela didn’t even flinch, she nodded again. “Yes, I want you to be my daddy cos I love you and then we can keep you.”

Henry kissed Michaela’s forehead, and Cassie wished she could lock this moment in her mind, so precious was the exchange.

“Michaela, I love you too, and I hope one day I can be your daddy.” His eyes moved to Cass when he said that and she swallowed, hoping he was saying what she thought he might be. His eyes cast back to Mic. “Until the day I can officially make you my daughter and your mum my wife, I’ll love you and be here for you and then afterward we get to keep each other forever. How does that sound?”

“Okay, Henry. Do I get to keep Gram Josie and Grampie Jerry too?”

“Yes, sweetheart, you can keep them too.”

“Henry?”

“Yes, Mic?”

“You shouldn’t tell Gram and Gramps we’re your favorite, it will hurt their feelings.” Her little girls sweet whispered words had Cassie smiling at Henry.

“Good idea, Mic. We don’t want that do we?”

“No,” she whispered on a yawn.

Henry stood, brushing a hand over her head before dropping a kiss there. “Sweet dreams, sweetheart.” He touched Cassie’s shoulder as he left, his fingers warm on her skin.

Cassie kissed her nearly sleeping child, inhaling her sweet scent of baby soap and apple shampoo, and thinking she was so lucky. Despite all the horrors she’d faced lately, she wouldn’t swap that for what she’d been so extremely blessed to find with her Englishman.