EMMA

As quickly as I can, and equally as carefully, I place swirly, pink candles into the soft, yellow cake Nadine baked for Maggie's party. The frosting, hot pink and somehow sparkly, is adorned with a hand-piped unicorn in bright white buttercream. Again, sparkly.

I chuckle to myself.

Nadine knows no bounds when it comes to pleasing Little Miss Maggie, as she so sweetly calls her every time she pulls her from my arms.

Which, is more often than not.

"Hey Parker?" I turn over my shoulder, eyeing the other parents lounging in my living room, their toddlers on their laps or crawling around on the ground in front of them. "How are we on ice? Drinks? Munchies?"

An amused expression on his face, he slowly raises his hands under his chin, inhaling deeply, before pushing the unseen force down again, towards his waist, with an audible exhale.

"Relax, Emma. Take a breather. The party is fine, there's enough ice, enough drinks and way too many munchies." His brow raises at my usage of the term. "People are having fun. Why don't you?"

"Speaking of fun," I sigh, my gaze making another sweep of the room, adorned with every unicorn decoration Gemma could find, topped off by a gorgeous, and absolutely ginormous unicorn piñata, "Where is Mr. Fun?"

"You can't possibly mean Beau."

"I do."

As if to answer my question, Beau enters the kitchen, bouncing our one-year old on his hip. The two are almost inseparable and whenever I can't find Beau, I know he's off to Maggie's nursery or with her in the yard, playing the guitar for her. And she loves every second of it, clapping her hands as in time to the beat as she can manage.

Maggie's light hair has began to curl, and as I predicted, her eyes now match Beau's deep green ones.

I look at them and two Beau's stare back, minus the black hair dye.

And it's moments like these when I realize they're all I've ever wanted.

"Enjoying ourselves, are we?" I hold a silicon spatula out to Beau for him to lick excess frosting from.

A little touch up after someone, I suspect Adam, although he won't confess, dragged their finger through the icing to get a taste. I can't blame the thief (as I said, eyes on Adam) - Nadine's frosting is almost worth losing a finger over, but she'd have a fit if she saw it.

It's perfect now. Thank God I caught it before she brought it out to be cut in front of everyone.

"Maggie seems to be having fun." Beau grins down at her after gratefully taking the sample. "Aren't you, Mags?"

Our girl giggles up at her daddy, three of her four front teeth finally taking over her gummy smile. She always does that - just gazes at him, like he's the coolest thing she's ever seen.

What I like even better, though, is when she grabs a tiny fistful of that hair. If I thought his typical 'do was messy before...

Nudging him with my hip, I return to the present and put the rest of the frosting in the fridge.

"I meant you. I thought I saw you and Beck laughing."

Parker scoffs, still sour that Beau isn't refusing to get to know his brother again. For the sake of the kids, Beau says.

I don't push him. Whatever his reason is or isn't, I know my role is to support him in whatever he decides.

"Mags and Jack are funny together." Beau shrugs sheepishly.

"How can two babies be funny?" Parker raises a brow, sticking a long pretzel between his lips.

He's saying it to get at Beau. I know, because I hear him talking to Maggie all the time. And Uncle Parker thinks Maggie is hilarious, recording her any time she dances her little bum off or pulls a silly face.

Not taking the bait, Beau shrugs, ending the conversation.

"I was showing Mags all her presents, too. Kid made out pretty good, isn't that right?"

I nod, the mountain of gifts, wrapped in beautiful pink papers and large, sparkling bows, only half of what makes his statement true.

Besides the toys and clothes awaiting our unwrapping, so many people came for Maggie's first birthday. Val flew in from LA, and while she has tried a couple of times to get Parker's attention, he's all but ignored her, favoring instead a pattern of careful walk-arounds of the party.

It's not needed. Since Zoey was checked into a psych facility closer to her parents, we've received no notes, no strange phone calls. The only roses I receive are from Beau, and the nonstop notifications are now from Gemma and Nadine, demanding I meet their daily quota of Maggie pictures.

Those are demands I'm more than happy to meet. Nuzzling my nose into Maggie's neck, inhaling the sweet, almost sticky scent of her baby skin, I smile again.

Nadine is at the barbecue, working her magic and proving she's more than a sweet-tooth-queen. Tangy sauces and spicy rubs permeate the air, the smell of smoked meat keeping us all going for more.

Kim came and will be staying with us for the week so she can spend some quality time with Maggie and me, and beside her on the couch is Jess. While she's unhappy I decided not to go back to work at the publishing house in favor of staying home with Maggie, she's more than happy to steal me away every now and again for some adult drinks and conversation.

Beside her, perhaps not so subtly trying to win her over, is Zach. Still satisfied with Beau's song-writing, he never stops pushing for him to play with them. Sometimes I worry that maybe he'll regret it, but I don't dwell on that too much now.

Gemma oohs and aahs at all the chubby toddlers, temporarily relieving mothers of their little ones and playing with them on the floor. They're mostly families we've met through mommy-and-me swim classes and I probably like them more than Beau does, but it seemed fitting to have some babies at my baby's party.

Beck and Jack sit at the table, snacking on crackers and cheese and soda from the cooler. Beck seems even more tired now, overwhelmed with his duties as a single dad.

But the room is happy, the air is light and cheerful and this party brings me back to the summers I spent here when I was little. The lake house was always full of family and friends and laughter and love, and raising Maggie here is exactly right.

This is what I always thought I'd have, even if it's not exactly how I imagined getting here.

As for those that aren't here... I tell Maggie about her grandparents every day. I tell her how much they love her and I know it's true. When she's old enough to understand, I'll show her scrapbooks.

Sometimes Beau refers to her as MC. I think it makes him feel closer to his own mother, using her name. I like that, too.

There's no doubt about it - Maggie is surrounded by love. She'll never be alone. Pinching her leg as I pass by, I feel the constant reassurance that now I never will be, either.

Leaving the kitchen, I scoot my way around party guests and step over small bodies sprawled on the carpet, finally sticking my head through the slider door. Down by the water, Adam, Connor and David are tossing back beers in the sand.

Personally, I think seeing Gemma surrounded by babies is making Connor a little nervous. I'm sure I'll hear about it later.

"Hey guys," I shout, receiving three smiles back. "Come on in, we're about to cut the cake."

***

Staring at my reflection in my vanity, I try to be comfortable with the lack of Maggie's cries or the need to be doing a million things right this second.

Carefully, focusing more intently than necessary, I swipe some gloss over my lips and toss my hair over my shoulders.

Butterflies flutter in my belly and my skin buzzes with electricity.

Beau and I are having date night. Our first since Maggie was born.

Nadine and Gemma always insist and I always say no. The truth is, after everything we went through, I hate having her out of my sight. No one will care for her like I can, something I think every mother knows within her soul. But now that her first birthday has gone by, Nadine is insisting.

"Not even for you, Miss Emma." She persisted, sucking her teeth at me impatiently. "But for me. I want some time with my girl. I have a whole birthday weekend planned, if you don't mind sharing the love."

How could I argue that?

Shifting in my maxi-dress, I feel a bit silly. Beau wanted to go all out - a nice restaurant and maybe a hotel room with a jacuzzi and room service until our stomachs burst - but I wanted to be close by, should anything happen to Maggie.

So we're doing a picnic on the lake. Compromise. Something we've gotten good at with the baby.

I almost head downstairs, where Beau is patiently waiting, having insisted he take care of the all this evenings details himself. But something like a hint of a memory pulls at my mind and I find myself rummaging through the back of my jewelry box.

My fingers quickly curl around a familiar, peculiarly shaped object, slung over a thin chain. Bringing it in front of me, I clasp the guitar-pick necklace Beau gave to me the first time we dated securely around my neck.

Engraved on the back, a simple "love you." I had thought back then, that the engraving meant he'd tell me out loud soon. It wasn't till years later that I actually heard the words.

Feeling my look is now complete, I take a calming breath and remind myself that it's a date with Beau - like plenty I've had before. No reason to be nervous.

My excitement for a night without a baby to interrupt our adult activities doesn't explain the jittery skip to my step as I take the stairs two at a time.

But I'm not one to complain about a good thing.

"Wow," Beau winks, looking me up and down appreciatively and giving me a smack on the butt as I twirl for him. "What a MILF."

"Beau," I slap his shoulder, giggling anyways.

"What?" He murmurs against my lips, tongue already tasting our kiss. "I didn't even swear."

Pulling from his kiss, I loop my arm through his and lean my head against his shoulder. "Come on, Romeo. Our picnic awaits."

We walk down near the water, a warm blanket spread out over the sand, an actual basket sitting atop it with plates and tall flutes beside it. I hold back a grin at the sparkling juice resting in the ice bucket, but lose it when I notice the pizza box hidden behind the wicker basket.

An old favorite. I sit, tucking my legs beneath me and keeping my fingers laced through Beau's.

We let go only so he can open the juice.

"Are we celebrating?" I smile, touching my finger tip to the would-be champagne flute.

"What's not to celebrate?" Beau smirks, pouring us each a glass. "We're together, our daughter just turned one. Kim's gone, and Parker's away for the weekend, so we have the house to ourselves. " He shrugs. "I just got a big pay check from the label. No one's bothering us for once. Things are good."

"They are." I agree, taking a long sip and closing my eyes as the breeze off the lake tousles my hair. I inhale deeply, the smell of the trees and freshly trimmed grass soothing to my date-night jitters. "I don't want to tarnish them by asking..."

"So don't." Beau gives me that look and I almost let it go.

Almost.

"Have you heard from your dad again?" Apparently before Maggie was born, Beau and Parker had a run-in with his father. He'd come around once after for money but Beau threw him out and called the police.

I used to wonder what Beau's father was like. After seeing him once at Jack's party, I concluded I didn't truly want to find out.

"Nope." He sighs. "But if he did come around... My security is on it. What happened last time won't happen again."

"Okay." I reply simply, kissing the line of his jaw before I open up the pizza. My stomach rumbling, I grab us both a couple of slices and keep my tone light. "So the label liked the stuff you sent, then?"

Beau nods animatedly. "Said to keep it coming and if I want to make more, to pick the guitar back up for them."

My body stills, like it does anytime we talk about music. He's so talented, has such a gift. I hate to think he's wasting it. Or that I'm the reason why.

"And?" I chew slowly.

"And I said they should stop asking." He shrugs, like it's as easy as what he'll have for breakfast tomorrow morning. "I'm good where I am."

Taking another long drink of juice, I peer up at him from under my lashes.

"Are you, really?"

Leaning back on his hand so he can meet my eyes, Beau speaks very deliberately, like every word is of the upmost importance.

"Of course I am, Em. How could I not be?" His brows pull together over his eyes, his head cocked to the side. "Maggie just started walking. If I was playing, touring, I would've missed it. When she fell, her little legs not strong enough yet, I wouldn't have been there to catch her. There's too many firsts left that I have to be here to see. I mean, shit. What if one day she picked up a guitar and started strumming?" He shakes his head. "How would it feel to miss that?"

My eyes well with tears, happy ones, stupidly, ridiculously happy tears, and I stare out at the water, the sun setting above it, Beau's voice like a lullaby for just us two.

"You know," He continues, low and serious, "All this time I've been acting out, or blacking out, fighting or raising hell, with music, with everything... It was all to find something, you know? Something that made me feel like I fit, somehow. I couldn't ever find it - I didn't even know what it was that was missing. But with you and Maggie... I finally found it. And I don't want to miss any of it, Em. Not one second."

"When Mags says her first word, rides a bike, loses a tooth... I want to be there. Like when you get up in the morning and go to sleep at night, I want to be the first and last thing you see every day. Bedhead, morning breath and all."

He nudges my shoulder and I realize a tear has slipped down my cheek as I listen to his words.

No response seem to be enough, after what he's told me. So I say all that matters, anyways.

"I love you."

Kissing my hair, his voice is muffled as he says it back, making my heart beat faster even still. "I love you, too."

With a deep chuckle, Beau raises a brow at me.

"Can you believe this whole thing started with a contract?"

"And a pinky promise." I add, remembering that afternoon perfectly. The way his dark hair glinted in the fading sun of my kitchen, the way his attitude still slightly intimidated me, the way my heart hammered in my chest any time he got close anyways.

"This is business, purely business. No feelings involved - ever." He'd been so serious, so stern. So cold.

I stare at him in front of me now, so loving and content.

The love of my life. The father of my child.

So, so many feelings.

Beau scoffs, like he's remembering too. "Stupid promise - I broke it before I even made it."

His lips are so close to mine, so tantalizingly and deliciously full, and I lean in, losing myself in his sweetness and the way his touch sets my skin on fire.

We've shared lots of kisses: passionate ones, sad ones, tender ones, fake ones, even. But none like this.

None ever seemed as certain, as sure, as permanent as this one.

"But speaking about promises," Beau pushes hair over my shoulder and scoots back on the blanket. Before I can ask, he drops to a knee, a small box in his hands. "Even though I don't have the best track record with them... How would you feel about making me one more?"

Oh, my God.

"Em, I've been to cities all over the world. No where ever felt like home until I met you. I want to spend every day with you and Maggie, making this our home together. Will you do me the absolute honor of marrying me?"

I don't need to think, to consider, or to even wonder about the possibilities. If there's anything I'm sure of, it's a lifetime with Beau.

I nod frantically, tears fully streaming down my face as I throw my arms around his neck, too overwhelmed to even look at the ring in his hands.

"Yes. Of course." I kiss him again and again, everything inside of me alight with bliss.

Smiling into my lips, he manages to thank me.

I laugh, my joy bubbling out of my body, and Beau shakes his head.

"No seriously, thank you, Emma."

I tilt my head to the side. "For what?"

Leaning his forehead against mine, Beau's voice is a whisper against my skin.

"For always loving me exactly how I needed."

Hugging him tightly to my body, so my face is pressed into his neck, I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to communicate to him how much he means to me without the proper words.

"Thank you, too." I murmur.

"For?"

With a content sigh, I open my eyes and gaze out over the lake, feeling safe in Beau's arms.

"For always finding your way back to me."

I'm internally screaming guys
Just think - this series originally was going to end with book one
See ya in the comments! Remember to vote if you love Bemma!
(so sorry for the late update. Got my shot + have been pretty sleepy!❤️)