I tucked the little piece of paper with the odd note into the pocket of my wrap and went to the bathroom. I’d call him and ask him about it later. Maybe I’d get it once I had coffee. We had gone to bed kind of late last night. He had been unable to keep his hands off me, and I’d enjoyed it very much.

Another little note was on the mirror. I walked over and pulled it off.

Because those big, lost eyes looked at me with trust and lit up whenever they met mine. What was he doing? This was crazy. I read it again and laughed, then tucked it into my pocket before brushing my teeth and then my hair. I didn’t have to work today. It was Monday, and I was off. I had to get Micah up and ready, but I’d set my alarm so that I got to drink my coffee before I had to wake up my ball of energy.

I slipped my feet into my furry slippers now that the nights were getting cooler and making the hardwood floors cold in the morning. I opened my door quietly and went to the kitchen. The first thing I noticed was another piece of paper like the others beside the coffeepot.

Because hearing you laugh makes everything okay.

So that one was sweet and made more sense. I got it now. He was leaving me notes about why he loved me. The past two months, Dewayne Falco had become Mr. Romantic. Which was something Preston, Marcus, and Rock thought was the funniest thing they’d ever seen. Dewayne took their ribbing with ease, though. He seemed to like it. I wasn’t sure what had happened to him.

Opening the fridge, I reached for the cream only to find another note.

Because you healed me. When no one else could.

I teared up at that one and folded it carefully and added it to the others. That man. I loved him. He didn’t see it, but he had healed me too. He had healed my past pain and my bitterness. I’d been able to let it go. Mother was even coming for a visit next month to stay a few days and meet Micah. Life was short, and I was holding something against her and keeping my son from knowing his grandmother. She wouldn’t always be there. My father lost his chance to know Micah. But my mother was still here and she wanted to know him.

Reaching into the cabinet, I grabbed my favorite cup, and inside was another note. This was like a surprise scavenger hunt. He knew my morning routine so well. Grinning, I picked it up.

Because you’re the most amazing woman and mother I’ve ever known.

The tears were back. Dang it, I was going to be a crying mess by the time I had to wake up Micah. I sniffed and wiped at my face, then tucked the note with the others. I was going to have to put these somewhere special. Keep them.

I walked over and made my coffee, then turned to the sugar, already prepared to find another note. He didn’t let me down. There it was.

Because I can’t imagine a life without you.

I wasn’t going to cry this time. I fought it back and tucked the note away. He was so getting laid when he got home. The really good wild kind he liked, with me bent over the bed. Maybe even a hell of a good bl*w j*b.

I walked over to the table and sat down with my coffee, and just as I pulled out the chair he surprised me again with a note on the seat. I really was predictable in the morning. He even knew which chair to put it on.

Because you and Micah and the other children we will have are my future.

Whoa. Okay. That was . . . wow. I reread it again, then tucked it with the others. We hadn’t talked about kids. Not ours, at least. We had spent a lot of time with his friends and a lot of time cuddled up talking about life. But we didn’t bring up the future a lot. I just knew I wanted him in it. He and Micah were my heart. They filled me up.

Micah’s door opened, and he stepped out looking like he’d been awake for a while. Weird. He was grinning like he had the best secret in the world.

“Well, good morning, handsome,” I said, opening my arms for him to walk into. He held out his hand instead, and in it was another note. Dewayne had given one to Micah, too.

Because from the time I was seventeen there was only one girl for me.

I sniffed and smiled at Micah. “Did Dewayne give you this before he left or last night?” I asked him, trying to figure out why Micah was up and dressed so early.

“This morning,” Micah replied.

Then Micah’s door opened again, and Dewayne stepped out of it. He wasn’t dressed for work at all. He gave me a sexy smirk and winked. This man was crazy. I loved every bit of his crazy.

“You’re here,” I said, and Micah moved over to stand beside me just as Dewayne got to me and held out his hand. Another piece of paper.

Because you’re mine. And I’m so f**king yours.

I started to laugh and held the note so Micah couldn’t see it. I didn’t need him saying the F word at school. But Dewayne lowered himself to the floor, and he was on . . . one knee.

Oh my God.

He held out his other hand, and in it was a beautiful princess-cut diamond ring.

“Because I want you to take my last name. Because I want Micah to take my last name. And because I’m nothing without you. Sienna Roy, will you marry me?”

This time I didn’t hold back the tears. I let them flow freely as I nodded, then shouted out my “YES!”

Dewayne stood and picked me up and spun me around in a circle while Micah cheered and laughed, watching us. I’d never expected this. I’d never expected him.

No one could have told me that this wonderful, beautiful man would love me like this. I wouldn’t have believed them. It was more than I could have asked for.

I couldn’t have written a more perfect ending to the story of my life. Because even with all those bad times and moments when I thought things couldn’t get worse, the good times and the moments of joy and the love was all so much more. They made it worth it. The journey may not be easy, but when you find the one to take it with, then you can do anything.