Page 25 of Forever Foolish

“And then I told him that we’d love to have them spoil any child we had…” he whispered softly, sinking down on one knee before her. “Because it’s true. I would love to know that your dad has a soft spot for his grandchild that rivals the one he has for his own daughter. If your dad could love you more than life itself, then maybe he could find it in his heart to accept a blend of the two of us.”

“Oh, J.J.,” she breathed tearfully as he held out a velvet box to her – and frowned.

“Now, he said that any kid of ours needed to resembleyou, not me, so that kinda hurt my feelings, but…”

Chloe laughed, imagining just how blunt and coarse her dad could be. She looked at J.J. before her, realizing that he was looking up at her, waiting. Glancing up, she saw all four faces peering out the screen door, waiting on her.

“I’ve only assumed that we’d get married someday, but this is me, on my knees, officially asking you to be my wife. I want you for my partner and cannot imagine life without you, Chloe.”

His heart and soul were shining in his eyes as he held her hand, moving to slide a ring onto her trembling finger. This was something she had assumed would happen also, but she never imagined it would finally happen, unfolding like this. Both sets of parents were here, waiting to share their moment and the good news of their engagement.

“I look at you… and see where I belong.”

“It’s the same for me, J.J.,” she admitted openly. “I would love to marry you.”

“Now, before you say ‘yes,’” he hesitated, looking a little sheepish. “I may have overstepped my boundaries.”

“Oh?”

“I promised your father that he could walk you down the aisle…”

“There’s nothing wrong with that.”

“Tomorrow.”

“Oh,” she laughed nervously, nodding. “I guess we have a lot to plan then, don’t we?”

“Actually,” he hesitated once more, looking at her. “I’ve been working with your mother and mine for the last two weeks, making plans. I didn’t want you to worry about anyone’s reactions, witness any possible arguments, or be in the middle of their dramatic messes – and told them as much. Your single job is to love me… and be loved by them.”

She stared at him in disbelief, realizing that he’d done the unthinkable for her sake. Somehow, he’d smoothed out the wrinkles, untangled the snarls, and removed any deliberations or confrontations from her – just so she could love him.

“I’ll always protect you from the rest of the garbage that life throws at us, Chloe,” he promised. “I love you and can handle anything so long as I have you to comfort me.”

“Is this why you’ve been so quiet and stressed out lately?”

“Planning a wedding is tough,” he chuckled, rising to his feet. “Why are there three types of frosting? Frosting is frosting, dang it— just slather it on a cake and…”

She interrupted him, throwing her arms around his neck in a massive hug before moving to kiss him. His strongarms encircled her as she deepened their kiss, passionately tasting the man she loved more than life itself.

“Hey! Hey! That’s enough of that over there…” her father yelled from the doorway. “That’s my daughter, and unless you want that tongue dislocated on your wedding day, get it away from her tonsils.”

“I gotta agree with your dad,” Jamie chimed in. “Are y’all getting goose bumps just seeing them kiss? I mean, good gravy, it’s like watching a pair of second cousins get it on.”

“Jamie! No, it’s not – and they aren’t related.”

“No, they aren’t. We never married and certainly never kissed like that…”

“Good!” Lucy snapped.

“Good!” Her father said almost in unison causing Chloe and J.J. to laugh softly against each other lips in awareness just before sharing another kiss.

“I love you so much,” she breathed tenderly.

“You know, it’s always going to be like this,” he chuckled, holding her close as he teased her knowingly. “So, I know you are off of work tomorrow – got any plans around ten in the morning?”

“I thought about changing my last name… what do you think?”

“I think you should.”

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