Page 155 of Engulfing Emma

“What are you doing?”

He takes my hand in his. “I want to marry you.”

I’m in shock. “We’ve only known each other for five months.”

“You’re going to let time dictate when we get our happily ever after? I knew Amanda for years before we got engaged. And now I understand why. It was because I didn’t know. But with you, I swear I knew the first day we met. So why wait? Why waste another minute apart when we can be together? Life is short. We both know that. I want to leave lipstick messages for you every day. I want us to take Evie and Leo to Disney World. I want to cram as many memories as we can into whatever time we have left, whether that’s fifty days or fifty years.”

I try not to look, but it’s hard not to notice the people gathering around. My hands shake. This is all happening so fast.

“I was here yesterday,” Brett says, still down on his knee. “I stood right where you’re standing and told your father I wanted to marry you.”

I find it hard to control the flow of tears. “You asked my dad?”

He nods. “And then I asked your mom and Evie.”

My eyes widen in surprise. “What did they say?”

He looks to my left. “You can ask them yourself.”

I wipe my eyes to clear my vision. Mom and Evelyn are next to a tree, holding each other’s hands. Evelyn looks about ready to jump out of her skin.

“Getting the two of them in this deal will be an amazing gift,” he says. “I’ll have a mom again. And Evie—I can’t even begin to tell you how much I already love her. In fact, if you’ll let me and she doesn't mind, I’d like to adopt her.”

The waterworks start again when I realize he’s going to give me everything I ever wanted.

He drops my hand to pull a ring out of his pocket. It’s made of beautiful rose-gold with a perfectly round diamond. “Evie helped me pick it out. Sorry, this one doesn’t crap Cheerios.”

This man.I laugh through my tears.

“Emma Lockhart, will you marry me?” His eyes tear up. “You’ve already become my best friend. I’m asking you to up the game and become my life partner. The mother my child deserves. My happy ending. Maybe we can get married right here, so our parents can be there. I know you’ll be sad that your dad can’t walk you down the aisle, but maybe this is the next best thing. I have no idea if they will allow it, but I have a feeling if we put our heads together, there’s nothing we can’t accomplish.” He holds the ring out to me. “I’ve always said when you know, you know. What do you say, Emma? Do you know?”

I can’t help the smile that overtakes my face when I realize just how much I want this. I want everything he said. I want him to be the father of my child. My future children. I want to help him raise Leo. I want him to be my happy ending.

I turn and put my hand on my father’s name. “I’m getting married, Daddy!”

Brett sweeps me into his arms and kisses me before slipping the ring on my finger. Bystanders clap and cheer as Evelyn runs over and hugs us both.

“Does this mean I get to call you Dad?” she asks.

Brett looks at me with raised brows, his eyes filled with hope.

“Yes,” I tell her, my smile reaching all the way to my tear-blurred eyes. “That’s exactly what it means.”

Epilogue

Brett

Twenty-five years later…

“Happy anniversary!” people shout as I walk my lovely bride onto the rooftop terrace.

Emma’s hand covers her heart in surprise. “Brett, you didn’t.”

“I did, and this isn’t the only surprise I have in store for you this evening.”

We make our rounds, being sure to greet everyone. Bass and Denver are here with their wives. We’ve remained close friends over the years, even though we’ve all moved on to different firehouses. Leo is here with his wife and kids. Evie is here with her husband and daughter. Our son Billy and his fiancée showed up, despite the fact that they’re getting married in just a few days. Even Jay is here, or should I sayCaptain Tiffinof Engine 58 in Lower Manhattan.

We are handed two glasses of champagne.

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