Page 12 of Dare To Marry You
Kat smiles. “That’s,wow. Hunter, that’s an incredible way to think about it.”
I grin back at her. “Our kid is a badass, Kat. They aren’t even here and they’re already making a statement. I bet it’s a girl, with your fire and strength.”
“As long as she has your smile and good heart.”
Settling back on my pillows, I prop my head up with one arm behind my neck. “She’s gotta have your brains, though. Not mine.”
Kat scowls at me “Don’t you dare be insinuating that your brains are any less perfect and wonderful than mine are.”
“Um,” I start, then stop. My learning disabilities are no joke, and fuck, do I hope my kid doesn’t have to deal with them. But I should’ve known Kat would have something to say.
“Hunter. Your dyslexia makes you creative and unique in how you think and see and process the world. If our child is lucky enough to have a unique and special brain like yours, that would be amazing and wouldn’t change how much we love them. And we will help them overcome any and all challenges. Not that there will be any, because they’ll have the very best role model in you.”
Tears threaten the backs of my eyes as my throat clogs with emotion. “Babe.”
Kat arches a brow at me, then I guess she realizes how hard this is hitting me because her face softens into love and understanding. “You are going to be such a wonderful father, Hunter. You have so much love and wisdom to share. Don’t underestimate yourself. Our child is lucky to have you.”
“Only because I’m lucky enough to have you.”
Kat and I stayed up late talking last night. So late that she fell asleep while the call was still connected. And I stayed there watching her, even with the angle being such that all I saw was half of her face.
She’s given me such a gift. A baby.Ourbaby.
Am I scared? Of course I am. Am I excited? Fuck, yeah. Am I confident Kat and I can handle this? Surprisingly, also a yes.
She’s helped me grow, get stronger and more secure. And I can’t wait to see her with our child, giving them the same grace and strength she has and that she shares with everyone around her.
A heavy blanket of snow covers the city the next morning. After checking once more to see if any ferries back to the island are running, I shoot off a text to Leo to explain the situation so he can cover my shift tomorrow. After sending one to Kat, letting her know I’m stuck here for another day at least, I decide to head out and see what’s open around the hotel.
A lot of stores and restaurants are closed, which makes sense. Half the city is probably shut down from the unprecedented amount of snow. We don’t get heavy snowfalls on the West Coast very often, so when it happens, it takes a while for everything to adjust.
As I walk past a guy shoveling the sidewalk in front of an office building, I realize with growing horror that Kat’s snowed in.
Fucking hell, how did I not think of that sooner? Pulling out my phone, I open the group chat I have with her brothers.
HUNTER: Guys I’m stuck in Vancouver for at least another day or so. Can someone go by my place and make sure Kat can get out and that she’s got food and heat and all that shit?
I blow on my hands to keep them warm while I wait for someone to reply.
BECKETT: I shoveled the driveway yesterday, and I can head back there to do it today. But why wouldn’t she have food or heat?
I cringe. Guess that was kind of over the top, and since Kat said no one else knows about the baby except Lily, Serena, and her mom, I can’t say why I’m being a little overprotective.
HUNTER: Old pipes? I dunno man. My furnace blew out last winter, so just… can someone check? I hate not being there.
MAX: Heidi and I are snowed in as well over in Westport, but once the roads are clear I can come to town to help if needed.
BECKETT: Nah we’re good Max. Sawyer’s on shift but Jude and I are around.
SAWYER: There better not be any emergencies today. Firetrucks don’t like driving in snow. Hunter my man, you think you’ll be back in time for the wedding?
My heart seizes. Fucking shit. The wedding is in a week. What if I can’t get home by then?
BECKETT: Dude, it’ll be fine The wedding a week away. There’s no way ferries will be shut down that long, don’t freak everyone out for no reason.
I exhale. Beckett’s right. There’s no need to panic.
HUNTER: Yeah. Hopefully things clear enough for me to get home in the next day or two. Just… make sure Kat’s okay for me?
