"Corri, hi!" I was nearly mauled as Kash came bounding up the driveway toward me. I knelt down to catch him in my arms, smiling despite the fact he had nearly taken me down.

I wrapped him up in the tightest hug, which he happily returned. "Well hello to you too!" I laughed, pulling back enough to see he was wearing a dress shirt, khaki pants and a navy tie hanging loosely around his neck. "Why are you so dressed up, my handsome young man?"

Kash's eyes opened wide but his fingers pinched his lips together as if he was struggling not to speak. "It's a surprise!" he finally blurted after I continued to stare him down.

"A surprise?" I echoed, moving to stand fully and guiding him back up the driveway. "Did your dad tell you not to tell me?" I prodded.

Kash opened the door for me and I was surprised that I didn't find Colt waiting for me. I hung up my gym bag and jacket, glancing around to find nothing amiss. Kash peered up at me with excitement and I couldn't help but feel his happiness. "I'll be right back. I'm gonna find your dad so I can find out what this surprise is!"

Kash nodded and gave me another quick squeeze. He bounced over to the couch and left me to wander down the hall alone. "Colt," I called out when I entered our bedroom. "Where are you?"

I moved slowly around the end of the bed until I reached the bathroom door. It was cracked open just slightly, revealing his naked torso and lower half wrapped in a towel. He was leaning toward the mirror, carefully shaving his beautiful face. I kept quiet as I leaned against the doorframe. I drank in his muscular back, his dark hair curling around the nape of his neck, his arms with it's tendons flexing, and the angular jaw he was currently shaving.

Colt's eyes shifted and caught mine in the reflection of the mirror. His shock was obvious. "Baby…" he sputtered, quickly wiping the rest of the shaving cream off his neck. He swung around to face me and smiled widely. "I wasn't expecting you this soon. Didn't you have a late therapy appointment?"

"It got canceled." I hooked my thumb behind me and shrugged. "Should I leave?"

"Oh God no," he sighed, his shoulders relaxing as he approached me. "Just a little change of plans." I grinned as he cradled my jaw in his hands and pressed a deep kiss to my mouth. I slid my hands up his strong chest, my fingers winding around his neck until they reached his soft, chestnut curls. "No, no, no," he laughed, pulling away from me slightly. "This is not the plan."

"No?" I teased, reaching for the hem of my tank top and easing it over my head. "So I can't coax you into joining me in another shower?"

His mouth fell open slightly as I shimmied out of my workout gear and moved toward the shower. I loved the way his eyes tracked my every move. It was obvious he was struggling to focus. I stepped into the steam and groaned at how soothing the warm water felt. After a moment, I noticed he was still standing on the other side of the glass, peering at me with a hungry gaze.

"Come on in," I tempted him, sliding the glass door open a few inches.

A slow, warm smirk began to stretch across his face, but when I reached for him, he drew his hand back and shook his head. "No I can't. I have a plan for tonight and taking another shower isn't part of that."

I giggled at his diminishing resolve. With my hands loaded up with body wash, I began soaping up my breasts as sensually as I could. And with the way Colt's mouth hung open, I could help but beam at his attention.

"Corri," he groaned, running his hand over his face, pausing to bite down on his knuckle. "You are really killing me."

I nibbled my lower lip as his body leaned toward mine. "Am I? I certainly didn't mean to."

Colt's eager expression suddenly turned to one of frustration when he realized how I was tempting him. "Anyway," he sighed emphatically. "You've got 30 minutes to get ready for dinner. We have a reservation we can't miss."

"Wait!" I called out just as Colt was striding out of the steamy bathroom. He paused in the doorway, his strong arms gripping the wooden frame for dear life. "What should I wear?"

Colt hummed happily as he turned to face me. "It's on the bed. I've picked something out I hope you'll love."

"You did?" I gasped, knowing he'd never done anything like this before.

"Yeah I did. I had a little help from Ally but, it was all my idea."

"Thanks," I murmured quietly as he leaned in for a quick kiss and a swat to my soapy backside. "Now hurry! I can't wait for you to see your surprise!"

I laughed at Colt's excitement, that in turn caused my own excitement to bubble up and spill over. Tonight was going to be a night to remember.

……

I took one last look at myself in the mirror before striding out to the living room to show off my new dress. My stomach tensed when I didn't find Colt in the living room or the kitchen. "Colt?" I called out at the same time I heard Kash's infectious laugh wafting in from a half open window.

I stuffed a few things from my purse into a small, silver bag I only used on special occasions. Once I felt I had everything I'd need, I slipped out the front door and moved toward the yard, where Colt and Kash were tossing a football back and forth. Their neckties hung loosely around their necks and their sport coats were haphazardly tossed over the hood of Colt's truck. I laughed to myself at the thought that neither one of them could stay clean for very long.

Colt caught Kash's pass with an overexaggerated "oof," leaving Kash giggling. The smiles fell away when they saw me coasting toward them in my high heels.

"Wow! Look at Corri!" Kash exclaimed.

I approached Colt with a smile I couldn't contain. His smirk was sent and when he twirled his finger in the air, indicating that I should give him a 360 view of my new dress, I did just that. "Damn," he muttered under his breath when I got close enough.

I tugged him down to me by his tie and whispered, "You like this?"

Colt responded with his big hands gripping my hips and dragging me close. "You look…" he paused to glance down at his son and the fiery look in his eyes slid away. "Very beautiful. Doesn't she, Kash?"

"You look pretty," Kash beamed.

I turned to face him, brushing my hands down my baby blue dress, twirling a little so that the fabric rustled in the breeze. I used my fingers to clean a bit of dirt from his face and tousle his smooth, blond hair. "Well, thank you. You look so handsome."

Colt cleared his voice, ensuring I hadn't forgotten about him either. "And you look…" I paused as Kash clambered into the back seat of Colt's truck. "Very sexy," I whispered into Colt's ear when he opened the door for me.

Colt bit down on his lower lip when I climbed up into my seat and rubbed my bare legs together. He reached over me under the guise of buckling me into my seat belt, but I gasped when his lips pressed to my ear and he breathed, "And I can't wait to get you out of this dress."

My mouth fell open, but Colt just kept grinning. Every attempt to find out where our reservations were for was denied until we actually pulled into the parking lot. Il Terrazzo was one of the most popular restaurants due to its location right on the marina. We were seated right beside the huge window overlooking the boats. Even in the dark, you could see them rocking against the waves and hear the sound of their horns in the distance. This place was fancy and I was excited that Colt had gone to so much trouble.

"I'm getting ravioli," Kash announced as we perused our menus.

"That's because it's the only thing you can pronounce," Colt teased, his gaze and his hand sliding over to me. He squeezed my thigh once and I peered up at him. "You like this? It's okay?"

I sighed at how nervous he was. "This is great. I love Italian food."

Colt pressed a quick kiss to my lips before the waiter arrived and we placed our selections. Kash seemed eager for me to finish my food, but I wasn't sure why. He had been tapping the breast pocket of his sport coat on and off while we ate, seemingly reassuring himself that he hadn't lost whatever was inside.

"Are we getting dessert?" I asked Kash as he touched his pocket one more time.

He glanced at his dad with a furrowed brow and shrugged. "Are we?"

"Maybe later," Colt sighed as his arm stretched over the back of my chair. "I think Kash has something he wants to ask you first."

Kash's eyes widened as he glanced between us. "Now? You want me to…"

"Unless you'd rather I did it."

"I'll do it," Kash blurted. "I can do it," he added, his voice softer and more controlled.

I turned to look at Colt, searching for a clue as to what was going on. He simply nodded and gave his son a confident smile. "Go ahead then. I'm right here if you need help."

Suddenly I was nervous too. What if this was bad news?

Kash took my hand between his and blew out a deep breath. "I want to ask you something, Corri."

"Okay," I replied slowly, searching his little face.

"My mom is gone now. And it makes me sad to think I'll never be able to talk to her again." He paused thoughtfully and I waited for him to continue. "But my dad said that maybe if I asked you...I mean maybe if it was okay with you...then we'll, I don't know. Maybe this was dumb."

Nervous laughter bubbled up in my throat. "What is it, honey?" I pleaded softly, cupping my hand around his cheek.

Slowly he lifted his gaze and focused a serious look at me. "Will you...be my mom?"

I blinked quickly as the start of tears began forming. I watched as he tucked his hand into the front pocket of his coat and pulled out a small, white box. He peeled back the lid to reveal a delicate silver bangle bracelet with the word "mom" formed in the metal. He held it up for me to inspect and I watched as his brow furrowed deeply. "This is for you. I thought if you wanted to be my mom then maybe you'd wear it."

I was overcome by the emotion of it all. I couldn't wait another second to gather him up in my arms and squeeze him as tightly as I could. "I would love to be your mama," I cried into the top of his head. He wrapped his little arms around my neck and we held each other so tightly.

After a few moments, I pulled back and let Kash help me clasp the bracelet onto my wrist. I kept one arm around him and we both watched it glitter in the low light of the restaurant. "You really like it?" he asked gently.

"I love it," I told him honestly. "And I love you."

Kash's face lit up like a Christmas tree. "I love you too…mommy."

I gasped when the words fell from his lips and then we were both a blubbering mess as we hugged each other so tightly once again.

"Is there anything else I can bring you?" the waiter asked cautiously as he approached our table.

"I think I'm ready for dessert," Kash announced.

We laughed as Kash rushed from the table to go with the waiter to see the dessert collection on a nearby cart. Colt pulled me close to him and kissed my cheek. "He's been so excited. He couldn't wait to ask you."

"I don't understand."

Colt pulled a thick packet of paper from his pocket and opened them carefully. "Adoption papers?" I sputtered.

Colt went on to explain how the lawyer found his name on Kash's birth certificate and now he no longer had to fear that someone would fight him for custody. And once that was settled, he asked the lawyer to draw up papers for me to formally adopt him.

"You can say no," he assured me. "Kash doesn't know about this part. So if this is too much…"

"No way," I blurted. "I mean, I'm surprised, but it's a happy surprise. I want him to be mine."

"And me?" Colt inquired with caution. "Do you want me to be yours too?"

I tipped my head in Colt's direction, taking note of the curious and almost desperate look reflecting back at me from his mossy green eyes. There was no hesitation in my reply. I had wanted Colt Anderson to be mine since I was 15 years old.

"Forever," I murmured as my lips found his and my fingers curled into the hair at the nape of his neck.

I could feel Colt's body relax as the kiss deepened. I wanted him. I wanted to be Kash's mom. I wanted our little family. I would never let them go.

"Look what I got!" Kash exclaimed as he rushed back to the table.

Colt and I laughed as we pulled away from each other, but I loved the way Colt still clung to me, like he needed me so he could breathe. "Two desserts?" Colt teased. "How will you eat them both?"

"I got the cannoli for Corri...mom," Kash corrected himself with a bit of a blush. "Do you want it?" he asked me gently.

"Ohhh," I sighed. "It really does look good."

Kash beamed as the three of us tucked into sharing the cannoli and tiramisu Kash had chosen. I kept stealing glances at Colt and loving the contented feeling washing over me as we sat huddled together. Finally a family.

………

I took a deep breath as we strolled along the boardwalk and gazed out over the water. "It's so pretty here," I sighed dreamily as I paused to lean over the railing.

I felt Colt's warm body leaning in behind mine as his hands covered mine on the wooden railing. "So pretty," Colt echoed in a voice deep with need.

I glanced back to find him staring at my ass instead of at our view. "Pretty huh?" I scoffed.

Colt hummed as he pressed his body into mine, reminding me how we always fit so perfectly together. "Pretty sure this ass is mine," he murmured directly into my ear before licking around the shell.

I let my eyes drift closed until I heard Kash's dress shoes clomping down the boardwalk. We both turned to find him rushing up to Ally and Trent. Colt groaned when I tugged him toward our friends and their kids. "Look who's here!" Kash exclaimed while reaching up to tug on baby Tatiana's bare toes. Colt tucked in tightly behind me as we greeted them.

"What brings you down here?"

Ally just shrugged as she bounced Tatiana on her hip. "Tristan was begging for some ice cream."

For a moment, I considered what a coincidence it was for us to find us here and I considered questioning them about it, but it wasn't important. Kash was excited to see Tristan and soon they were chasing each other around on the boardwalk.

"You should let us take Kash for some ice cream?" Ally offered expectantly, glancing between me and Colt.

"Oh we just had dessert at the restaurant. I'm sure he's stuffed," I laughed.

"Hey, buddy. Wanna hang out with Tristan for a little bit?" Colt called out as Kash zoomed by.

"Yeah!" he exclaimed before crashing into me, hugging my legs tightly. I squeezed back and pressed a quick kiss to the top of his little blonde head.

Colt thanked our friends as he tugged me toward the water. "You didn't have to do that," I sighed. "You know I love Kash. I don't mind…"

I lost my train of thought when Colt pressed his lips to my temple and gripped the nape of my neck. "I wanted to do something with you that our son shouldn't see."

Sparks of passion zipped through my body as we stumbled through the sand, kissing and holding each other tightly. My mind went wild with ideas of what he wanted to do to me. With the way warm winds were blowing off the water, I couldn't wait to find a flat surface around the bend and get my hands all over my sexy man.

I slipped the heels off my feet and hooked a finger around the straps so I could carry them in one hand. My other hand gripped the front of Colt's shirt tightly as we moved closer to the shore. We stopped short of the lapping waves and I gasped when I felt Colt sink to his knees in front of me. I dropped my heels and buried my fingers in his hair. "Oh please," I murmured softly, inching the hem of my dress up in a silent plea for him to get his mouth on me.

"Corri," he growled, his fingers tugging on my dress.

"Yes, baby," I sighed, my head falling back as I waited for him to taste me.

"Butterfly," he groaned, "Please look at me."

Colt's face came back into focus as he gazed up at me. My vision was still hazy as I was expecting this to be some sort of naughty rendezvous away from the prying eyes on the boardwalk. So imagine my surprise when I found Colt on his knees, not trying to get under my dress, but instead clutching a shiny rock between his long fingers.

"Colt," I gasped when I realized what he was holding.

Colt swallowed thickly and nodded. "Yeah, Butterfly. I wanted to ask you a question and I'm hoping you'll say yes," he smirked.

"Oh my," I sighed when he brought the glittering diamond closer and I could see four teardrop shaped stones formed into the shape of a butterfly. It was gorgeous.

"I feel like it's taken us forever to get here, Corri. But if you would do me the honor of marrying me, I swear I would make you the happiest woman alive," Colt paused and rose from his spot in the sand. He gripped the back of my neck and softly tugged me closer. "Marry me, Butterfly. And let's become a family."

I blinked down at the ring box in his hand and then up to his handsome face. "You want this? Now, I mean? You think we're ready?" I sputtered.

Colt pressed his lips to mine and breathed, "I've been ready to marry you for ten years now."

.....

A/n: Sorry for those of you who have waited forever for this! It has been mostly written for months (maybe even a year) but I finally sat down today to finish this chapter. Thanks for waiting!