I cover her hand with mine. “They’re not my partner, though—you are.”

She nods slowly. “I’m just getting used to everything here. If you’re traded, we’d have to move at the end of the season, wouldn’t we?”

“The timing would be good, though. Your contract with the aquarium is up soon. I’m sure they’d be happy to renew, but I also know you want to work on your PhD. And being in Seattle would make it a lot easier to see your family.”

Understanding hits her, and she crosses her arms. It would be cute if she didn’t look so irritated. “That can’t be the reason you waive your no-trade clause. I won’t take you away from your family so I can be closer to mine.”

“You miss them.”

“We can’t jeopardize your career and everything you’ve worked this hard for just so it’s easier for me to see my family until you get traded again.”

I pick her up and set her on the counter. “First of all, going to Seattle won’t jeopardize anything. And this isn’t just about my career or me anymore, Lainey. This is about what’s best for you and me and Kody, the three of us together. And if being closer to your family would be better for you, then it automatically makes it better for Kody and me.”

“You’d have to leave all these people you care about.”

“Not all of them.” I curl my hands over her knees. “Alex and Violet are going to Seattle.”

“They are?”

“This isn’t public yet, but they’re signing him as the head coach. He knows the general manager of the team personally. They want me. Players get traded all the time, Lainey—people come and go. A lot of contracts are up in the next year or so. If you say yes to this, my agent is ready to make a call. He’s already been in talks with the owner in Seattle. They want to sign me for five years, and they’re offering an extra million a year as incentive—but money aside, it would be a good move for us as a family.”

“How long have you been thinking about this?”

I part her legs and step between them so I can get a little closer. “A while.”

“It’s a big change, RJ.” She links her hands behind my neck, fingers sliding into the hair at my nape.

“Only for one of us. You’re the one who’s had to deal with the most change between us. Look, Lainey, those six weeks we had in Alaska were the best I’d had in my entire life, and the year that followed was dark without you. Having you back, falling in love with you all over again, and Kody for the first time, it’s made me a better man.” I clasp my hands behind her back so I can feel anchored.

“I want us to do this together. Make decisions together, figure out life and how to parent and how to get our kid to eat green things. I want to love you. I want to get razzed by your brothers at Christmas dinners. We’ll be closer to both of our families, since mine is on the West Coast too. It makes the most sense, doesn’t it? If you want to stay here, then the no-trade clause stays in effect—but if you want Seattle, then I lift the clause and we go.”

“You’re sure?” She bites her lip.

“Positive. Whadya say?”

“I say . . . let’s go to Seattle and start a new team.”

Lainey pulls me in for a kiss that lasts until Kody comes up behind me and hugs my leg, reminding me that we have a few hours before we can celebrate this decision privately.

I pick him up. “We’re going on a new adventure, little man.”

He pats both of my cheeks and grins, as if he understands. Lainey gets him a piece of frozen fruit stuffed inside a little mesh bag to chew on while I help get his dinner ready.

After we eat, I decide if we’re celebrating one thing, we might as well celebrate two. Lainey’s agreed to move to Seattle, so I’m pretty confident that means we’re in it for the long haul.

“I’ll take Kody up and get him ready for bed.” I kiss the top of her head.

She drops a tea bag in her mug and looks up at me. “I can do that.”

“I’ve got it. You enjoy your tea—we’ll be down in a few to say good night.”

She smiles up at me. “Thanks.”

I take him upstairs, change him into his jammies, and make a stop in our bedroom. “I need your help tonight, little man, okay?”

“Da!” He shoves his fingers in his mouth.

I slip my hand under a pair of socks and find the box. Closing the drawer with my hip, I take a deep breath. I’ve practiced this a million times over the past couple of months, what I’m going to say, how I’m going to do this. But my family is right—I don’t need a grand gesture, because that’s not what Lainey likes.

She likes simple and thoughtful.

I flip the box over between my fingers and take Kody back downstairs. Lainey’s tucked into the corner of the couch, reading a magazine.

I set Kody on the floor and hold up the small box, tied with a white ribbon. “Can you give this to Mommy?”

I pass it to him, not sure if handing something like this over to an eleven-month-old is actually a good idea or not. The first thing he tries to do is shove it in his mouth.

I pull it away from his mouth. “Take it to Mommy.”

I point at Lainey, and he bumbles his way over to her, holding the box in one fist. “Ma!” I follow behind him and make sure he doesn’t try to eat it again.

She sets the magazine on the table and uncrosses her legs. Sitting forward, she holds out her arms, ready to catch him if he falls. “Hi, baby, you look like you’re ready for bed. Do you want Mommy to come up and tuck you in?”

He waves the box around in her face, and her gaze shifts from Kody to me. She tips her head in silent question.

“Give the box to Mommy.” I drop down in front of her and help steady Kody’s hand—sort of, since mine is shaking too.

“What’s this? My birthday isn’t for another two months.”

“It’s not a birthday present. Go ahead and open it.” I set Kody on my knee.

There’s a wet spot on the box and some teeth marks, but that’s par for the course around here these days.

The ribbon unfurls as Lainey tugs the end. I kiss the top of Kody’s head as she opens the lid, my stomach in knots, my palms sweaty. She withdraws the tiny velvet box inside.

“RJ?” Her eyes are wide and already hazy with the promise of tears. I love that about her, that I can see her emotions play out on her face as she experiences them.

Kody grabs for the pale-blue box, so I give him the pieces and set him on the floor. He plops down beside me—not the best wingman, but he isn’t even a year, so I can cut him some slack. He slaps the two pieces together and squeals with delight.

“Let me.” I turn the velvet box toward her and flip it open. The light on the side table hits the diamond, making it glint and throw prisms on the floor, which Kody tries to catch, giggling happily.

“Oh!” Lainey’s hand flutters to her mouth, and she seems caught somewhere between laughter and tears.

“I love you, Lainey—both of you, so much. I thought those weeks in Alaska with you were the best of my life, but I was wrong. Every day with you beside me is better than the last, and I promise I’ll spend the rest of my life loving you—all you have to do is say yes. Marry me?”