“Mitch helped me a lot,” Josh said. “Some of the mistakes I made were stupid.”
“Well, don’t beat yourself up over them,” she chided. “Just remember next time to go slowly and double-check your work.”
As they sat down for dinner, Dan was struck by how much they already seemed like a family. His love for Molly overwhelmed him.
When they’d finished the meal, he took the dirty dishes into the kitchen, leaving Molly and Josh alone. When he returned a few minutes later he stopped in the doorway when he heard Molly talking to his son. “Josh, I have something very important to ask you.”
“You do?” Josh’s eyes widened, as if sensing the seriousness in her tone. Dan stood stock-still, just out of sight, wondering what she was about to say.
“Yes.” Molly actually looked nervous as she took Josh’s hand in hers. “Josh, I love you. And I love your dad. I want to ask you if you’ll let me marry your dad and become your new mother.”
“For real?” Josh whispered, his brown eyes growing even larger. “You’re going to marry my dad and be my new mother?”
She nodded slowly. “If you’ll let me.”
“Yes! Of course we’ll marry you!” Josh cried, and he launched himself at Molly, who caught him in a huge hug.
Dan watched them, his heart swelling with love, respect and pride. He stepped forward, capturing her gaze with his. “I think I’m the one who’s supposed to pop the question,” he murmured with a smile. He pulled out the small velvet box holding the engagement ring, opened it and slid it over to her on the table. “I was hoping to ask you later tonight.”
“Really?” she gasped, and her eyes welled up with tears. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” He reached over to pull the two most important people in his life close to his chest. “Just say yes.”
“Yes,” she whispered, burrowing close. “A thousand times, yes.”
He smiled with satisfaction as he held his future.
His family.
Six months later …
DAN STOOD AT THE ALTAR of the small church that Molly’s parents still attended regularly, waiting patiently for his bride to appear. Molly had chosen to have a smaller service, after her sister Sally’s more lavish affair.
And he was fine with that. Molly knew, just as he did, that the ceremony was only the beginning. He caught a glimpse of white and held his breath. When the music swelled and everyone in the church rose to their feet, he stepped forward eagerly.
The two attendants came first, and he recognized Molly’s sister, Sally, and her best friend, Kara. But he didn’t spare them more than a second glance as he waited for Josh.
When he saw his son, standing right in front of Molly, on his own two feet, no wheelchair in sight, his chest tightened with a mixture of love and fear. Maybe they’d rushed this? What if Josh’s legs weren’t strong enough to hold him? What if he tripped and fell when walking up the aisle with the braces on his legs?
As Josh stepped forward, though, he realized he needn’t have worried, because his son was smiling widely as he made his way down the center of the aisle, his gait clumsy with the braces but each deliberate step like music to his ears just the same. When Josh reached the front, he came over to stand right next to his dad.
“Good job, son,” Dan murmured, putting his arm around Josh’s shoulders. “I love you.”
“I love you, too, Dad.” Josh flashed him a broad smile but then focused his attention on watching his soon-to-be new mother, Molly, as she walked down the aisle toward them.
“She’s so beautiful,” Josh whispered.
“Yes, she is.” And all his, he thought humbly as he moved forward to take Molly’s arm, so they could approach the altar together. With Molly at his side, he could face anything the universe had in store for them. This was the beginning of a new life together.
As husband and wife. As a family with Josh.
And he knew, deep down, that their love would only grow stronger with each passing day.
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Some secrets are best shared…
Since making the ultimate emotional sacrifice for her sister, counsellor Lucy Edwards has kept her feelings buried and her heart on lockdown. Enter neurosurgeon Ryan O’Doherty, complete with piercing blue eyes and roguish charm. Working with him on an emotive case brings all of Lucy’s painful memories to the surface…and even closer to Ryan. Lucy’s finally tempted to let someone in—but will their fragile relationship survive her most difficult revelation?
This one is for you, Drew. I love you.
PEDIATRIC NEUROSURGEON DR. Ryan O’Doherty’s attention remained on the child lying in the ICU bed of Angel Mendez Children’s Hospital in New York City as he spoke to the father. “I removed as much of the tumor as possible. I didn’t get it all because I couldn’t risk additional impairment.”
This father wasn’t the first person to hear those words and he wouldn’t be the last. Ryan made a point not to gloss over the truth when speaking to parents. Despite the fact that Ryan knew he possessed more than competent skills, he’d done all he could for the child. He couldn’t fix them all. Parents had to accept that.
“I understand. His mother and I will take him home and love him for as long as we can,” the father said in a voice filled with tears.
The father had courage. He’d have to cling to it down the road.
The sharp, shrill sound of Ryan’s phone filled the air. He tapped the screen, stopping the offending noise, and looked at the message. Human Resources. He’d forgotten all about being expected down there. What could possibly be so important in the paper-pusher department that he was needed so urgently?
He glanced at the father again. “The neurologist will re-evaluate your son’s case. I’ll be here if needed,” he said curtly. “Now, if you will excuse me...”
“Thanks for all you’ve done.”
Ryan nodded. It was his job.
Ten minutes later, Ryan walked through the network of gray hallways on his way to