Page 68 of Dr. Accidental Daddy

As the chaos of congratulations continues around us, Jordan takes my hand and leads me a few steps away from the crowd. His eyes are bright with unshed tears.

“There’s actually one more thing,” he says, and before I can ask what he means, he’s dropping to one knee in front of me.

The backyard goes silent. Even Henry stops babbling.

Jordan pulls a small velvet box from his pocket, and my hands fly to my mouth as I realize what’s happening.

“Alexa,” he begins, his voice steady, “a year ago, you saved my life. You showed me what love really looks like. What family really means.”

He opens the box to reveal a beautiful vintage ring. “You taught me that family is about showing up, every day, and choosing to love each other through whatever comes. You’ve given me Ash, who’s become the son of my heart. You’ve given me a house thatfeels like a home. And now you’re giving me another child to love.”

“Jordan,” I whisper, overwhelmed.

“Alexa Rebecca Costello, will you marry me?”

The yes is out of my mouth before he finishes asking. “Yes, ofcourse!Yes!”

The ring slides onto my finger perfectly, and then Jordan is standing and I’m throwing my arms around him, kissing him while our family and friends cheer around us.

When we finally break apart, I’m crying and laughing at the same time. Jordan’s thumbs brush away my tears as he cradles my face.

“I love you,” he whispers. “I love you to the moon and back, Alexa.”

“I love you too,” I whisper back.

“Group hug!” Ash announces, crashing into us. Henry is right behind him, grinning and throwing his arms around my legs.

We all collapse into a pile of arms and laughter, and looking around at our chosen family, I’m struck by how perfectly imperfect this all is.

A year ago, I was a single mom struggling to make ends meet. Jordan was a workaholic bachelor who thought family was a luxury he couldn’t afford.

Now here we are, engaged and expecting, surrounded by love in the backyard where I grew up, planning a future that’s bigger and more beautiful than anything I dared to dream.

This baby will grow up knowing exactly what home feels like. They’ll be surrounded by siblings and chosen aunts and uncles, by a community of people who understand that family is something you build, not just something you’re born into.

And someday, when they’re old enough to understand, we’ll tell them the story of how their family began. How sometimes the most beautiful things come from the most unexpected places.

How sometimes, even the people you once overlooked, who you only acknowledged in quick passings, can become the people you can’t live without. Your family.

“To family,” Jordan says, raising his voice.

“To family,” we all echo as one.

The End