The SEAL’s Surprise Baby by Leslie North

Epilogue

Ten months later

“That’s it,” Anderson said as he hung the toddler swing from the play structure in his backyard. It was an elaborate fort with a kid-size climbing wall, rope ladder, and slide. Violet had teasingly complained that it was a mini SEAL training ground. Anderson couldn’t disagree with her assessment, and he was looking forward to teaching his son some skills.

“Not bad work for a weekend,” Patrick commented as he gathered up his tools.

“I appreciate your help.” Anderson shook hands with Patrick and Kenton. The three of them had returned from a mission two weeks earlier and were slated to deploy again in a month, so they were all making the most of their time in Hartsville. “One day we’ll return the favor, Kenton.”

Kenton shook his head. “Not likely, but I’m always happy to help you guys out.”

Anderson walked with them to their trucks, thanking them again. After they’d driven away, Anderson went back into the yard by himself. He and Violet had purchased this larger house in Hartsville a few months earlier. After plenty of discussion, they’d chosen Anderson’s hometown to raise Nate. Violet had arranged with her agency to work from home, and so far it was pretty damn perfect.

The neighborhood was far nicer than the one Anderson grew up in, and he loved it. Loved the friendly atmosphere, the sense that people looked out for each other. That eased his mind when he was gone on missions and had to leave his family behind.

His family. The expression still surprised him sometimes, but he was ready for the next step, which he planned to take that day. He patted his pocket, assuring himself that the small box was still there. So many times in the past weeks he’d come close to proposing to her, but he’d wanted the timing to be just right.

He eyed his backyard. He’d made sure the setting was perfect for the occasion. Flowers were blooming in riots of white, yellow, and pink. A soft scent perfumed the spring air, which was warmed by mellow late-afternoon sunshine. The only things missing were Violet and Nate.

As if on cue, they appeared on the back deck. Nate had short toddler legs, but that didn’t slow him down. When Violet put him down in the grass, the boy ran toward Anderson and his new play structure.

“Do you want to try out the swing?” Anderson asked, scooping his son up and swinging him in a circle. After he’d let himself be a dad, it was like bands had been released from his heart. He didn’t always get things right with Nate, but he was trying.

“Yeah,” Nate squealed.

“Here you go.” Anderson lowered Nate into the bucket-type swing and gave it a push, setting it in motion. Nate’s smile was wide, which was more thanks than Anderson needed for the work he’d put into the structure.

“I think he likes it,” Violet said, coming to stand next to Anderson. She still took his breath away with her bright, soulful eyes and the way her hair swung loose around her shoulders. “What a treat to have this in his own backyard. He doesn’t know to thank you, but I do.”

“He’s my son. Isn’t this what dads do for their kids?” Anderson asked. Nate was a constant source of fascination for him. What always mystified Anderson was how much Nate changed while he was away on missions, even short ones.

“See, I knew you’d figure it out. As a matter of fact, I was so confident that I started making a change to an important document,” she said, smiling.

“Oh, what?”

She pulled an envelope from her pocket and handed it to him. “Nate’s birth certificate. I want him to legally be Nathan Anderson DiPaula Park.”

Anderson unfolded the paper and stared at it, speechless. All the details about Nate’s birth were there. Date, time, place, mother, and now father.

“It’s not a hundred percent official yet,” she said. “You have to sign the paperwork, and it has to be returned to the courthouse. But I thought…”

“I’m honored,” Anderson managed to get out, so pleased. He knew that Violet trusted him to care for their son, but this felt like a larger declaration of her faith in him as a father.

“I’m glad,” she said and gave Nate a push in the swing. “What a perfect day. I love the spring sunshine, and I love having my boys both with me.”

Her words jolted him, reminding him that he had a surprise of his own, which he hoped would make the day even more perfect for her.

“I have something for you, too,” he said, pulling the box from his pocket and dropping to one knee. She gasped, and when he reached out to her, she willingly put her hands in his. “Violet, you’ve given me so much. Nate, a life that I never expected, understanding, and so much love. I never want to be without you. So I hope you’ll marry me. Will you?”

“Is there really any doubt?” She bent closer, brushing her lips against his. “Of course I’ll marry you.”

He’d been almost certain of her answer, but he still felt relief flood through him. “Would you like to see the ring?”

She nodded, and he released her hands to open the box. The oval-cut diamond was set in platinum with smaller diamonds encircling it. He’d looked at hundreds of rings before finding this one. Something about it called to him, and he knew it was the one. By the look on her face, he’d been right.

“That’s amazing,” she whispered. “So gorgeous.”

He removed it from the box, and she held out her left hand. When he slipped the ring on her trembling finger, he felt complete in a way he never had before. She turned her hand so the sunlight reflected off the stone, obviously pleased with what she saw.

“Come here,” she said in a breathy voice and fisted his shirt front to pull him up.

He put his arms around her, hugging her tight to him. Her hands went to his shoulders, and she tilted her face to his in invitation. He kissed her then, relishing the knowledge that she was his for always.

“When should we get married?” he asked when the kiss ended. He was willing to do the big wedding thing if she wanted it.

“Before you deploy again,” she said without hesitation.

“What? In the next month?” He studied her face. He was due on base soon for a mission that was expected to last the summer. That didn’t leave much time for planning or a honeymoon.

“Yes. The sooner, the better.” She ran her fingers through his hair and tugged him closer for another kiss. “Then, after the wedding, we can get started on a little brother or sister for Nate,” she whispered.

“More kids?” The thought should have made him panic. Instead, he welcomed it. And this time he’d be there for Violet every step of the way.

“It’s a big house.” She tipped her head toward their home. “We should fill it up, and I don’t want Nate to be an only child, and—”

“You don’t have to convince me,” he said. “I’m in.”

She smiled at him, love shining in her eyes. He hadn’t thought he could be any happier than he was already, but this—their plans for the future—gave him confidence that things were only going to get better from here.