Page 128 of Succeeding Love

A mischievous smile lifted her face. “They can stay gone. They’re with Kate. I’m sure they’re fine. They’re probably learning how to haggle for pins right now. We should get in line for the Dumbo ride! The kids won’t ever ride it with me.”

I rolled my eyes. Lynn hadn’t caught on yet. She was in her Disney high, as she had been all day.

Straightening her ear, I said again, “You don’t want to pay the ransom to get your kids and sister back?”

She thought about it for a second, taking another small bite of Dole Whip. I could almost see the lightbulb in her head click on as she finally got it.

“Oh!” She looked around us, like she was suddenly scandalized by what I said. She leaned in a hissed, “Here?! It’s Disney!”

“The happiest place on earth,” I repeated her words.

She giggled, then asked, “Okay, Mr. Villain. What do you want as a ransom?”

“Well,” I took a step back, pulling the box from my pocket.

Lynn looked confused for a second, then when her eyes landed on the box, they grew wide. She gasped, dropping both Dole Whips as she brought her hands to her gaping mouth. As I dropped on one knee and opened the lid, she began bouncing on her feet.

“Lynn, baby. Take a breath and let me say this before you-”

“Yes!!” she screamed, throwing herself at me, wrapping her arms around my neck in a vice grip.

I held her around the waist, laughing as I kept us both from falling to the ground. People were cheering and clapping all around, but I barely heard them. Suddenly, it was like we were in our own little bubble; her clinging to my neck with a ring box between us.

I kissed her cheek, then said, “Feighlynn, baby. You are the best thing that has ever happened to me. You and your dog came into my life like a whirlwind, clearing out all my loneliness. You fill my every day with so much happiness already. I’d be a starved man without your smile and your endless giggles. You’re my home.” I reached for her beautiful face, pressing my thumb over her teary cheek. “Marry me, Lynn.”

“Yes,” she grabbed hold of my face, kissing me deeply. When she came up for air, she was smiling. It was the sweetest, purest smile I had ever seen on her breathtaking face. “So many times, yes.”

My smile was so wide it hurt. I was choking on my own tears as I finally slipped that ring on her finger. When she saw it, she threw herself at me again, wailing loudly at how beautiful it was. Thank fuck.

Her sister, Wes, their kids, and Jessie and Preston came through the crowd, clapping louder than anyone else.

Everyone congratulated us, and Lynn went to everyone at least ten times to show them her ring. She was so fucking cute, and now she was more than just my girlfriend. She was my fiance and would soon be my wife.

“Your turn!” Kate shoved a gift shop bag at her sister. “I found what we talked about. It’s in there, ready for you.”

Jessie and Preston gave their aunt an odd look, then Preston’s eyes went big. He looked between Lynn and me, and I wasn’t sure what to make of his expression.

Lynn was blushing, staring into the bag with a shy grin. When she pulled out a onesie with “Baby’s first trip to Disney” written on it, I was as confused as everyone else. Then Kate mumbled to her husband, “Seems they’ve been putting that anaconda and naked mole rat to good use.”

Lynn placed the onesie on her chest, then brought one of her hands down to her belly.

“I had a surprise of my own. You’ll have to pay your ransom over the next seven months.”

“You’re pregnant?” I whispered, wrapping my head around the fact that I was going to be a dad. I impregnated this amazon woman, and she was going to give birth tomychild.

“I’m going to have a sister?!” Jessie squealed eagerly.

“Please be a boy,” Preston muttered, crossing his fingers.

“I’m going to be a dad?” I placed my hand over hers on her belly. “Really?”

She nodded, her glimmering eyes swimming with fresh tears. “Are you happy?”

“Baby,” I pulled her in, burying my face in her hair as my own tears broke free. “So fucking happy. You’re having my baby.”

“And marrying you,” she added in an airy whisper.

Fuck. I couldn’t be any happier than I was right at this moment.

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