Accidentally Yours (22 page)

“So do I. I always loved him a lot. Paige was another matter. What were you thinking?”

Nathan chuckled. “It seemed like a good idea at the time.”

“Men can be such idiots.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“You’re welcome. Kerri seems nice.”

“She is.”

“You going to marry her?”

“If she’ll have me.”

Frankie stopped. “She will. Would you mind waiting until I’m out? So I can come to the wedding?”

“We’d both like that.”

“Good.”

They started walking again. She touched one of the roses. “I’m sorry about the tower.”

“Don’t be.”

“Are you going to appeal?”

“No. I’ll find something else.”

She lightly touched his arm. “I love you, Nathan. Thank you for helping me.”

“I love you, too.” He grimaced. “I keep wanting to apologize for being such a selfish bastard.”

“I’m glad you feel that way. Based on what I’ve told them about you, they’re planning extra sessions.” She smiled.

T
HE
W
ELCOME
H
OME BANNER
was the size of an aircraft carrier. Kerri had ordered a big cake with the sweet, sticky frosting that Cody liked so much and later Nathan would pick up fried chicken. There were balloons and streamers and a wrapped box containing a new pair of athletic shoes, the theory being that now Cody could actually walk enough to wear out a pair.

She stood at the top of the porch stairs, waiting for Nathan to arrive so they could go to the hospital to pick up Cody.

It was a perfect day, she thought, ignoring the light rain and clouds. No matter what happened in the rest of her life, she would always have this moment to get her through. There’d been a miracle. What more could she ask for?

Then the limo pulled up in front of her house and Nathan stepped out. She raced toward him and jumped into his arms.

He pulled her against him and they spun together, laughing, kissing, touching. She never wanted to let go.

“I love you,” he told her.

“I love you more.”

“Not possible.”

“Want to bet?”

He kissed her again, slowly, passionately, lingering, then stared into her eyes.

“Marry me,” he said. “Marry me, Kerri. I love you and Cody and I want us to be together always. Like a family.”

She’d never thought she could be this happy. It was as if she could float up and touch the sky.

“Marry me. I’ll spend the rest of my life making you happy.”

“You already do.” She kissed him.

He nipped at her lower lip. “Is that a yes?”

“It’s an absolutely.”

T
HE NEW SPORTS COMPLEX
in Songwood boasted a state-of-the-art multipurpose arena, a football field and a baseball stadium. Currently, the youth league team baseball playoffs were in their second-to-last game.

Kerri took the soda Nathan passed her and looked longingly at his grande latte. Unfortunately, she had two months until she was due and the doctor had been very clear about her avoiding caffeine while she was pregnant.

“Did I miss anything?” Nathan asked as he passed her the slice of pizza she’d sent him to get. Her cravings were nothing if not consistent.

“Cody’s up next. I know he’s gonna hit it out of the park.”

Nathan put his arm around her as they both watched the twelve-year-old boy step up to the plate.

He’d grown so much, Kerri thought, delighted and relieved. Thanks to Dr. Wallace’s miracle, her son was living a relatively normal life. He wore braces on his legs at night and still tired more easily than other kids his age, but when compared to where
he’d been just three years ago, no one was complaining. Least of all her.

Her life was more than she could have dreamed of. They no longer had to worry about Gilliar’s Disease, and she and Nathan were blissfully happy, married and expecting their first child together. Frankie was going to college and studying social work. She lived in an apartment close to the University of Washington, but frequently spent weekends with them in the big house they’d built on the outskirts of Songwood.

Kerri sucked in her breath as the baseball sailed toward home plate. Cody swung. There was a loud
crack,
then the ball soared up higher and higher. Cody took off for first base.

Nathan squeezed her hand. “He’s got a home run.” Pride thickened his voice.

Kerri looked at the man who made it clear every day how much he loved both her and Cody, along with the new baby. “I love you,” she whispered.

Nathan smiled at her, then kissed her. “I love you, too. A little more today than yesterday.”

She laughed. “How did I get so lucky?”

“It was just one of those things.”

An accident? she wondered. No. More of a miracle.