So wide that she could no longer hold onto her doubts about him. Not when she didn’t believe them any more, hadn’t for months, if she was honest. No, now she wanted to show him how much she loved him. Words alone wouldn’t cut it. There was only one thing she could give him at this moment that showed her true feelings. ‘Grady, would you hold Melanie?’
His face lit up as though she’d given him the best gift possible. ‘Can I?’ His mouth split into a big grin as he ever so carefully took her baby from her arms and held her to his chest, his hands enormous against the small baby. His eyes were filled with wonder as they fixed on Melanie, drinking in the sight of her. And those tears started again, fatter, faster this time. ‘Hello, sweetheart. Anyone told you how cute you are?’ he whispered.
Sasha felt her own eyes watering up again. What a perfect picture. Grady holding Melanie as though he’d give his life for her. Which he would. Without a doubt. Her body was exhausted and yet exhilaration sped along her veins. Now she really was a mum. For ever. There’d be no going back. ‘I’m a forever mum.’
Grady raised his head, locking those love-filled eyes on her. ‘Goes with those forever legs.’
More tears slid down her cheeks. She’d turned into such a crybaby lately. Running her hands down her cheeks to wipe them away, she said, ‘Guess these aren’t babymones making me topsy-turvy any more.’
‘You reckon?’ Jess grinned. ‘I’m going to head out for a while, give your parents a call while you three have some family time.’
‘Family?’ Her lungs stalled. Family. Yeah. Her gaze tracked back to Grady, found the same stunned look in his eyes as must be in hers. ‘Family,’ she whispered to him as the door closed quietly behind Jess.
Wariness filtered into his gaze. ‘Sash? What are you saying?’
‘I love you.’ Okay, that was little bit blunt. ‘It’s taken me a while to admit it. I’ve been holding out for some crazy, inexplicable reason, denying it to myself.’
‘Babymones,’ he croaked.
Laying her hand over the one of his that rested on Melanie’s blanket, she shook her head. ‘That’s an excuse. I’ve hung onto the fact that you dumped me for too long. If I’d been more mature, less self-centred that day, I might’ve seen what you were doing. I should’ve seen your pain and dilemma.’
His hand turned over to wrap around hers. ‘Neither of us knew how to cope with everything going down at that time.’
Squeezing her fingers around his, she told him, ‘Maybe, maybe not. But I know we can manage anything thrown at us now if we’re together. I love you so much.’
‘Patience. I knew it.’ A hint of smugness?
‘Pardon?’ She smiled at this wonderful man.
‘I had to keep putting the brakes on my need for you. I’d have had you in my bed that same night we met on the hill if I’d had half a chance. I had missed you so much it hurt. But it was like putting my hand in the fire every time I tried to get close. So I kept telling myself to be patient, take my time, and hopefully I’d win your trust, your heart.’
‘You do love me.’ Relief and happiness and excitement poured through her, made her hands shake.
‘Never stopped. I admit to trying bloody hard to forget you, but some things are impossible. You’re a part of me, Sash.’
‘I love it when you call me Sash.’
‘I know.’
‘Looking smug doesn’t suit you.’ She grinned and leaned in for a kiss, careful not to squash her baby girl between them. ‘You’re looking quite the dad, too.’
Grady looked as though he never wanted to let Melanie out of his arms. ‘She’s lovely. Hello, Melanie Wilson.’
Sasha said quietly, ‘Melanie O’Neil.’
Grady’s eyes bored into her. Did he think she’d finally gone totally bananas? She drew air into her lungs, reached for Grady’s hand, locked gazes with him and said loudly, clearly, ‘Why not? I love you. So…’ Her voice faltered. Huffing out the breath she’d been holding, she drew another and quickly asked, ‘So will you please marry us?’
Melanie was placed, oh, so carefully in the baby crib and then Sasha gasped as Grady scooped her off the bed and into those strong, safe and trustworthy arms.
‘Typical Sash. Got to get the first word in.’ He grinned. ‘That had been my next question for you.’ His lips brushed hers. Teasing, tantalising. ‘My answer is…’ He stopped to kiss her, more thoroughly this time. ‘Yes. I love you so much, Sash. So, yes, try stopping me now that you’ve asked.’
Sasha kissed him this time. ‘I won’t be stopping you. I think I’ve done too much of that already.’
Their kiss deepened, holding so much love and promise Sasha knew winter had gone for good. Finally tugging her lips away from that wonderful mouth, she asked, ‘Let’s have a summer wedding. Just a small one.’
Grady groaned. ‘You’ve never done anything small in your life, Sash. Why start now?’
There was a tiny cry from the pink bundle in the crib beside her. Sasha reached in and lifted her daughter out, feeling her breasts tighten in response. Oh, my. This motherhood thing was amazing. Her baby might’ve left her body but they were still so connected. ‘They don’t come much smaller than this.’ She grinned at him through another deluge of tears.
‘You done good.’ He grinned back. ‘Summer wedding it is.’