Chapter 14 - THE PROPOSAL SOPHIA PLANNED
Kalin proposed two years later.
Sophia helped plan everything.
She was twelve.
Confident.
Funny.
And increasingly independent.
She had a guide dog named Maple.
A golden retriever with soft ears and an extraordinary ability to steal socks.
***
The proposal took place in the garden.
Sophia stood beside Kalin.
Rebecca approached.
“What's going on?”
Sophia grinned.
“Daddy has a question.”
Kalin looked nervous.
Rebecca laughed.
“Should I be worried?”
“Possibly.”
He took her hand.
“Rebecca.”
Her eyes filled.
He smiled.
“When you came into this house, I thought I needed someone to protect Sophia from the world.”
He swallowed.
“But you taught me that my daughter needed to be part of the world.”
Rebecca began crying.
“You taught me to listen.”
He took a breath.
“To trust.”
His voice trembled.
“And to love without fear.”
He knelt.
“Rebecca Vale, will you marry me?”
She stared.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
Sophia cheered.
Maple barked.
Kalin laughed through tears.
He slipped the ring onto Rebecca's finger.
Then kissed her.
***
Sophia stepped forward.
“Does this mean I can call you Mom?”
Rebecca knelt.
Her eyes filled.
“You can call me whatever feels right to you.”
Sophia smiled.
“Rebecca-Mom?”
Rebecca laughed.
“I love it.”
May you like
The girl hugged her.
And Kalin watched the two people he loved most hold each other beneath the summer sky.
