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"Mandy... We have something to tell you." Amy couldn't contain the bright smile on her face as she eyed her daughter. Her gaze drifted over to Adam, who sat on the edge of the bed at her side.
The redhead pulled the little girl up on her lap, although Adam seemed to want her on his own. Her gaze briefly caught the bright glint and she felt slightly choked up again, as she had earlier.
"What is it, Mommy?" The child squarely met her eyes, cocking her head to one side. Mandy didn't think she'd ever seen her mom look so happy before.
"Well..." the redhead continued, her eyes sparkling. "... Adam - your *daddy* and me... Sweetheart, we're going to get married."
The tall blond man couldn't help but smile as he glanced from his daughter to his beautiful fiancee. Then, his gaze shifted back over at Mandy. The little girl blinked, and a cute little smile touched her pretty face. She appeared slightly shy again as she turned her head to look up at him.
"We're all going to live together and be one happy family," the redhead went on, her gaze meeting the blond man's emerald eyes. She felt so warm and special - and so loved. Those green eyes gently drank her in, caressing and loving her. A flush of warmth spread all around her insides. God, she loved him.
"How do you feel about that, Mandy?" Adam's voice was soft but strong as he gazed fondly down at her. She was so adorable - and amazing. He still had trouble sometimes believing she was really *his* child. It seemed almost too good to be true.
Instead of responding verbally, the little blonde girl scrambled out of her mother's lap and onto her father's, her arms raising for a hug. The blond man grinned as he eagerly embraced her.
After a long moment, Amanda picked her head up from his shoulder and looked up into his face. Her voice was small, but he was able to clearly hear every word.
"I love you, Daddy."
Amy's breath caught in her throat at her her daughter's words. As she glanced back up at Adam, she could detect every emotion that crossed his handsome face. In fact, he appeared choked up, and it wouldn't have surprised her one bit if he broke into tears.
The tall blond man blinked with emotion. This was one of the sweetest, most precious moments he'd ever experienced in his life. He let out a sigh as he hugged the little girl to him again.
"I love you, too, Blondie." He placed a hearty kiss on her forehead, his heart melting.
The redhead felt her eyes misting up and couldn't believe the overwhelming love. And an urge came over her, one stronger than anything.
After a few minutes, she took hold of the little girl again.
"Why don't we go find Aunt Trish so you can play with her for awhile?" Amy's hazel eyes glinted with love as she turned them to focus on her fiance. One of Adam's brows arched, and she knew he knew what was on her mind.
*
The hotel room door opened, and Trish smiled instantly as she saw who was standing just outside.
"Why, hello, Mandy," the little blonde said cheerily.
"Hi, Aunt Trish!"
The Canadian woman was still practically beaming as she raised her brown eyes to the girl's mother.
"Hi, Trish," Amy said with a smile of her own. "I was wondering if you could do me a favor and watch Mandy for a little while?"
The blonde woman nodded as she looked from mother to daughter and back again.
"Sure, I'd be happy to," the diva said. "Jay and I just adore her."
"Thanks *so* much, Trish."
The tiny blonde nodded cordially, but then something suddenly caught her eye - a brilliant glint emerging from her left hand. Trish's mouth dropped open in a shocked gasp.
"Amy, you-"
"I can't tell you how much I appreciate this," the redhead said, interrupting her. Her mind was set on returning to the man she loved, and on what she would do to him - *with* him - once she was back in her hotel room.
"Oh, my God! Amy!" Trish exclaimed. Her eyes were wide as saucers as she stared down at the gorgeous, perfect diamond sparkling from the other woman's finger.
The redhead merely smiled as she nudged Mandy into the room.
"Thanks again... See you a little later."
Trish stared after her as she walked off.
"Congratulations!"