Page 18 of Curvy Girl and the Ex-Military Firefighter

"There was no fire." I cross the room in three strides, dropping to my knees in front of her. "The crew just wanted to congratulate us."

Her eyes widen. "They know?"

"Autumn told Ashton, who told everyone else." I take her hands in mine. "But that's not important right now."

"It's not?"

"No." I take a deep breath. My heart's pounding like I'm about to run into a burning building. "Emma Rose, I'm an idiot."

She blinks. "Okay..."

"I'm an idiot because I never properly asked you to be my girlfriend. Because I let us play this weird game of pretending we weren't really dating when we both knew we were. Because I needed Ashton, Sadie, and everyone else to point out that I got you pregnant before making us official."

A small smile tugs at her lips. "To be fair, I didn't make us official either."

"Let me fix that." I shift closer, still on my knees. "I love you. I have since that first day at the Christmas Festival. Everything about you – your sass, your strength, the way you call me out on my bullshit, how you light up when you talk about your students. Even the way you steal all the covers at night."

"I do not—"

"You absolutely do, but that's not the point." I squeeze her hands. "The point is, I want you. All of you. Not just as the mother of my child but as my partner. My girlfriend. Maybe someday, if I'm lucky, my wife."

She gasps softly at that last part.

"I know I don't have flowers or a ring right now. I know this isn't the romantic proposal you deserve. But I couldn't wait another second to ask you properly." I bring her hands to my lips, kissingher knuckles. "Emma, will you be my girlfriend? For real this time?"

Tears spill down her cheeks.

"You're sure?" she whispers. "Even with the baby and all the changes coming?"

"Especially with all that." I reach up to wipe away her tears. "You and this baby? I’ve told you. That’s everything I’ve ever wanted. Everything I never thought I'd have."

She launches herself forward, nearly knocking me over as she wraps her arms around my neck.

"Yes," she breathes against my ear. "Yes, you idiot."

I pull back just enough to kiss her properly, tasting salt from her tears and sweetness that's purely Emma. When we break apart, we're both breathing heavy.

"You know," she says, running her fingers through my hair, "for someone who forgot to ask me to be his girlfriend, you sure jumped straight to mentioning wife."

I feel heat creep up my neck. "Too soon?"

"No." She smiles, that brilliant smile that first caught my attention at the festival. "Just soon enough."

"The crew's expecting pictures," I tell her, pulling out my phone.

She laughs, the sound filling my chest with warmth.

"Of the girlfriend proposal?"

"Yeah. Though Ashton wanted the making up pictures too."

"Did you tell him those are reserved for the baby announcement?"

I freeze, staring at her. "Are you suggesting we tell everyone with steamy photos?"

"No," she grins, "but your face was priceless just now."

I pull her close again, breathing in her vanilla scent.

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