Page 37 of Jasper

"No, it's good. You didn't know I was standing here. I meant to leave a few minutes ago, but we got to watching a movie and then she had to go to the bathroom."

"Dad, I can speak for myself," Daisy groans from where she lies on the couch.

"Thanks for taking care of her while I was at work." I put my hand out for him to shake. We've come to an uneasy agreement. Back when I broke her heart in college, he'd found me and threatened me. Like any good father would.

"Not a problem. If y'all need anything else, please let me know."

With those words, he's gone, and I'm alone with my wife. That surprise in my pocket feels heavy. "Hey." I grin over at her. "I missed you." I walk toward the couch, leaning in, boxing her in with my arms.

"I missed you, too. What are you doing over here, trying to act like you have some game?" She laughs.

"I do have game..." I argue, putting one hand over my heart. I dip in, kissing her quickly on the lips.

She rolls her eyes when I pull back. "You keep telling yourself that, Hamilton."

"I have a surprise for you." It slips out. I can't help it. I've never had a surprise for anyone before, and this is one I don't want to hide from her.

"A surprise? What is it?"

"Oh, so now you wanna act like I have game."

She groans loudly, tilting her head back in exasperation. "Will you give me the surprise if I say you have game?"

"Yes." I smile widely, happy with myself.

"Okay, you have..."

In the middle of her saying it, I take my hand out of my pocket and present her with a ring box. Her eyes go from mine to the box, then back up to mine. "You want it?" I smirk.

"Jasper..." She licks her lips. "What is it?"

"Why don't you open it?"

Her hands shake as she reaches out for the box, and then slowly opens the top. Her palm flies to her lips when she gasps. "Oh my gosh, it's gorgeous. Whose is this?"

"Yours now." I swallow roughly. "It used to be my mom's." I take the box out of her hand, turning it around so I can look at the ring I remember her wearing so often as a kid. A heart-shaped emerald surrounded by small diamonds. "She wore this as an engagement ring, and since we didn't have time to get anything other than these wedding bands, I thought you'd like to wear it now. It was in the will leaving it to me, and I've been hanging onto it since I was old enough to know what it meant to get engaged." I reach forward, caressing her hand, before sliding the ring on her finger. "And now I wanna give it to you."

"Jasper. This is too much."

"No." I shake my head. "It's just enough. You deserve more, and one day I'll get it for you."

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

Jasper

“Would you like to get out today?” Jasper asks as he comes home from work.

I’ve been on the couch all day. The girls have all checked on me at some point or another, but I’m doing pretty well on my own. It’s been a week since I came home, and I’ve definitely got cabin fever. “I would love it.” I toss my phone over to the table. “Mom texted and said she’d come and see me this afternoon, but she canceled five minutes before she was supposed to be here.”

“I’m sorry.” I lean down, kissing her on the forehead. “Favorite Friday is happening tonight.”

“Oh yeah? I really enjoyed the one time I went previously. Do you think we can go?” she asks, her eyes shining brightly with excitement.

“As long as you don’t do too much. I got Boone to make us a special parking spot so we don’t have to walk far. Don’t expect to be there a super long time, and when you start to look tired, we’re coming home. Understand?”

She smirks, making a cross over her heart. “I promise. When you tell me to leave, we’ll go. Do I get to get ready?”

“You mean exert yourself by doing hair and makeup? No, but I’ll help you put on clothes that aren’t pajamas.”

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