Page 167 of Before I Loved You

“And I was thinking,” he starts. “We could fit some of your art supplies in the dining room. It has a nice view of the lake.”

“That works for me—”

He shakes his head, laughing.

“What’s so funny?”

“You really think I had a whole damn house built for us, and I wasn’t going to include a space for you to paint?”

“What do you mean?”

He holds his hand out for me to take. “Come with me.”

I intertwine our fingers, letting him lead us outside to the edge of the giant deck, where my eyes catch on the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.

“It’s all yours,” he whispers.

My heart bellows beneath my chest as I gaze at the mini cottage before me, knowing what it is. My very own art studio. One that overlooks the lake with beautiful fairy lights surrounding it.

“Paul…” My lips tremble, emotions taking over me like I’ve never felt before as I bring my shaking hand to my heart.

“Go take a look,” he coaxes.

I want to. I really fucking do. But my damn feet are frozen in place. And as if Paul knows this, he intertwines his fingers with my free one and leads us toward my very own art studio.

“When you first saw this house, you told me you could see yourself painting here. You said someday I want a space built by the water where I can create art any time of the year. You were glowing with happiness at the thought of it.” He smiles down at me as his hand wraps around the doorknob. “And Sarah, there isn’t a single thing I wouldn’t do to make you happy. I hope this proves that.”

He pushes the door open, directing me inside, and I can no longer contain the small sob that escapes me.

Because I find myself standing in an artist’s paradise.

There are easels and paints on one side, a whole wall made of glass that slides open, giving me the most beautiful view of the lake—our lake. And in the back, there’s a family portrait of Paul, me, and Lily. Walking up to it, I immediately recognize the brushstrokes and techniques from Paul’s mom’s collection.

“I don’t even know what to say. I’m so overwhelmed. No one has ever done—”

My words cut off as I turn around, stilling at the sight in front of me. My eyes, which usually have to look up at Paul, are currently looking down.

Love overwhelms me as I stare at the man who has my whole damn heart in a chokehold, down on one knee with a small blue box in his hands. His shaking fingers open the tiny box, revealing the most gorgeous ring I’ve ever seen.

An extravagantly round emerald stone sits on a white gold infinity band surrounded by white elongated diamonds, making it appear like a lily.

“Sarah Fleur.” Paul’s voice trembles as he says, “I will never be able to put into words what you mean to me. You are not only the mother of my child but the missing piece to my life. You are the reason my heart beats every day, and you are, without a doubt, the love of my life.” I can barely see Paul through the rainfall of tears pouring down my cheeks. He gingerly takes the ring out of the box, holding it closer toward me, his eyes glistening against the twinkling lights around us. “My baby girl, will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”

“Yes!” There’s no hesitation in my voice. There’s no reason for me to take a second to think about my answer. This man has unknowingly given me a life worth living again, and I want to spend every single day I have left with him by my side. “God, yes, Paul.” I jump into his arms, wrapping my own around his neck as I greedily devour his lips, never wanting this moment to end.

Parting from me, he takes my hand, slipping the ring on my finger, which fits like a glove. My eyes look from the ring to him, my lips parting with no words spoken, completely too stunned to speak.

“Congratulations!”

“Hell yeah!

“Do you know how long we’ve been waiting out here?”

I gasp as I turn my head to find an audience. But as soon as I see who it is, I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face.

They’re here. Natalie, Nate, Vanessa, and Jason.

I clasp my hands on Paul’s cheeks, greedily seeking one more kiss before I stand and run over to Natalie and Vanessa with open arms.

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