Page 44 of Silent Night Temptation

He takes a deep breath, turning to face me fully. The look in his eyes shifts, serious and intense. Suddenly my laughter stills. He stares at me for what feels like an eternity, and I can feel the weight of whatever he’s about to say.

“Nyree,” he begins, his voice low but steady. “We’ve been together for two years now, and in that time, I’ve never felt as happy as I do when I’m with you. You’ve brought light into my life, in ways I thought I’d never feel again. I love you, more than I can ever express. And I want to spend every second of my life with you.”

The air catches in my throat. My heart pounds. I can already see it unfolding, and yet, when Marcus drops to one knee, it’s still as if the world tilts beneath me.

He reaches into his pocket, pulling out a small velvet box. When he opens it, the ring inside sparkles like the fireworks still blazing overhead. My hand flies to my mouth, a quiet gasp escaping me.

“Nyree, will you marry me?”

The answer is already bursting from my lips, before I can even think. “Yes!” The word tumbles out, my voice thick with tears. Joy breaks through every inch of me. He slips the ring onto my finger. As he rises, he kisses me again, deep and tender, the kind of kiss I want to feel for the rest of my life.

My hands tremble, the excitement coursing through me. We finally part, and his eyes are full of wonder, a smile spreading wide across his face.

“So, what was it you wanted to tell me?” he asks, his tone playful but curious.

I take a breath, savoring the moment. The nerves I felt earlier have completely disappeared, replaced by an overwhelming sense of rightness.

“Well...” I start, my smile growing. “Let’s just say Coco’s going to have a very little sister or brother in a few months.”

At first, the words don’t seem to land. His brow furrows, confused for a split second, but then it hits him. The realization dawns, his face lighting up in a way I’ve never seen before.

“Wait, you mean... you’re...?” His voice falters with disbelief.

I nod, tears slipping down my cheeks, this time from pure joy. “Yes! I’m pregnant, Marcus.”

For a moment, he just stares, and then he sweeps me into his arms, spinning me around. His laughter, his elation, fills the night air, joining the echoes of fireworks in the distance.

We are together. We are complete. And we’re about to start the greatest chapter of our lives.

THE END

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