Page 155 of Until I Have You

Now, the execution.

I turn Abigail to face me, our hands linked.“Are you ready?”

Her shock finally turns into a smile.“Is this real, Theo?”

“You want me to pinch you to make sure you aren’t dreaming?”I tease.

Instead of a pinch, I push some hair out of her face, cup her cheek, let my hand run down her soft skin to her neck, then her shoulder, until my hand is back in hers.

Abigail exhales, a small, desperate sound from the back of her throat.Now we’re both full of nerves.

It’s one thing if I have to deal with my nerves, but I can’t let Abigail suffer like me.

It’s time.

I take a deep breath, my gaze steady on her.

“I love you, Abigail.But I know I’m not the only one.I wanted to create a special moment forallof us.Because I know by being in your life, I need to be ready to be a part of all their lives too.Just as you’ve made yourself such a big part of Bonnie’s life.”

Her eyes glimmer.Beautiful green like Ireland herself.

I reach into my pocket, my fingers trembling slightly as I pull out the velvet box.

When I open it, the diamond inlaid claddagh ring I’ve chosen for her sparkles and shines.It’s not a typical engagement ring, but the hands holding the crowned heart are emblematic of her heritage.The Irish symbol is more than just a token of my love.It is love, loyalty, and friendship rolled into one.A promise of my eternal devotion and more.

“I’ve had this ring for a while,” I begin, my voice a bit unsteady but filled with sincerity.“I got it when I came home from visiting you the very first time.”

Abigail gasps with laughter.“You’re ridiculous.”

I chuckle.“I assure you, nothing about how I feel for you is ridiculous, Abigail.”

I drop to one knee, feeling the weight of the moment and the significance of what I’m about to say.“I told you that it only took a moment for me to fall for you.But the fall has been long and wonderful.With every new thing I learn about you, I love you even more.”

She smiles so hard her cheeks start to redden.

“You’re intelligent beyond belief, the smartest woman I’ve ever met.And because of that, you’ve got a whip-smart sense of humor.You keep me in line with my bad dad jokes, and I love it, every time you give me a hard time.”

Abigail’s family laughs.They know just as well as I do how she is.

“But it was your compassion for my daughter that sealed the deal for me.How you welcomed her into your heart without question.Not just a little bit, but all the way.You loved her first, and that made me fall that much faster.”

“She’s the best.”Abigail throws a smile toward Bonnie.

Bonnie is leaned up against Edwin’s legs, beaming ear to ear as she watches her future unfold between Abigail and me.

For once, I am doing right by her.Without question.

I look up at her, my heart open and vulnerable.“And now she has the absolute best role model in her life every day.You.You’re independent, strong, intelligent, loving…you are what every man hopes his daughter becomes, and I am honored you share that with my daughter.And whether I deserve it or not, you share that with me too.”

“Of course you deserve it,” she says.

Enough.No more teasing it out.“You know that choosing me means choosing Bonnie just as wholly.”

“Absolutely.”

This is it.

“With all that being said, will you marry me, Abigail?Be not only mine, but Bonnie’s too?”

---