Page 82 of “Not” Engaged to the Grumpy Billionaire

"Yes, but it’s Becky so I'm not so surprised,"

She comes to me. Her fingers are soft in mine, but there’s hesitation in her touch, as if she’s afraid to trust me, to believe that this could be real.

For a long moment, she doesn’t say anything. Then, slowly, she nods. “Okay,” she whispers, her voice so quiet I almost miss it.

Relief floods through me, and I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly. She feels so small, so fragile, and I never want to let her go. “I’m not going to mess this up,” I promise, my voice fierce with conviction. “Not this time.”

“I’m holding you to that,” she murmurs, her voice muffled against my chest. Her arms wrap around me hesitantly at first, then with more certainty, as if she’s letting herself believe in this, in us.

I pull back just enough to look at her, brushing a strand of hair from her face. “You’re my world, Liz,” I say softly, my voice trembling with emotion. “You and Max. You’re everything.”

A tear slips down her cheek, and I catch it with my thumb. “You better mean that,” she whispers, her lips curving into the smallest of smiles.

“I do,” I say, my voice steady. “With everything I have.”

And then I kiss her. It’s slow and tender, a kiss filled with everything I’ve been holding back, everything I should have said sooner. She melts into me, her hands clutching the front of my shirt as if she’s afraid to let go.

When we finally pull apart, she rests her forehead against mine, her eyes shining with unshed tears. “You’re impossible, you know that?” she says, her voice trembling with a mixture of exasperation and affection.

I chuckle, my hands framing her face. “But you love me anyway.”

She doesn’t deny it. Instead, she smiles, the kind of smile that makes me feel like I’ve just won the world. “I do,” she whispers, and the sound of those words is everything I didn’t know I needed.

As we stand there, surrounded by the chaos of the airport, I feel like the world has finally shifted back into place.

Liz is my world now, and I’m never letting her go.

Epilogue

LIZ

It’s the day. THE day! My two men are waiting for me – to make me a true member of the family. The wedding day is perfect, and made even more perfect by the fact that a month ago Becky happily relinquished all parental rights which allowed me to adopt Max. He is truly mine and Nate’s now and I am bursting with happiness even before the actual wedding.

The sun is warm against my skin, the breeze carrying the scent of salt and wildflowers. It’s perfect, the kind of day you can only dream of, where the waves kiss the shore in a rhythm that feels like it’s just for you. I stand barefoot on the soft sand, the hem of my simple, flowing white dress brushing my ankles. I can’t help but smile. This is exactly how I wanted it to be. It’s intimate, peaceful, and surrounded by love.

Max walks down the aisle first, clutching a small velvet pillow with a gold band resting delicately on it. His little face is a mix of determination and excitement, but what truly melts my heart isBoomer trotting closely alongside him, his tail wagging gently as though he understands the importance of today.

I bite my lip to keep from laughing when Max stops halfway, glances at Nate, and whispers loud enough for everyone to hear, “Am I doing it right, Dad?”

Nate grins from where he’s standing at the end of the aisle, his hands clasped in front of him, looking every bit the man who has claimed my heart in ways I never thought possible. “You’re perfect, buddy,” he says, his voice soft but filled with pride.

Max beams, continuing his journey toward Nate, who kneels to meet him halfway and ruffles his hair before taking the ring. The sight is so tender, so raw, that my chest tightens with emotion. It’s these little moments — moments of love and family—that remind me how lucky I am.

And then it’s my turn.

Bryan stands beside me, offering his arm with a grin that borders on smug. “Ready, little sis?”

I roll my eyes, though I can’t stop smiling. “If you call me ‘little sis’ one more time today, I might have to rethink letting you walk me down the aisle.”

“Too late for that,” he teases, but his voice softens as he adds, “You look beautiful, Liz. Nate’s a lucky guy.”

I glance at Nate, who’s waiting for me with a look in his eyes that steals my breath. “I’m the lucky one,” I whisper.

Bryan chuckles. “Then you’re both lucky. But if he messes this up, you know who to call.”

“Noted,” I say, laughing despite the lump forming in my throat.

As we take the first step together, I hear the soft melody of the string quartet playing in the background, the waves providing a natural harmony. The small group of friends and family gathered here turns to watch me, their smiles warm and genuine.

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