Page 88 of Worth the Fall

He kneels, opening the box to reveal a stunning ring—a delicate vintage-inspired design with a brilliant solitaire diamond set in an intricate platinum band. The diamond sparkles in the light, catching every glimmer in the room like it was made to shine just for this moment.

"Will you marry me?" he asks, his voice full of hope and love, his eyes never leaving mine.

For a moment, I can’t speak. The lump in my throat is too big, the emotions too overwhelming.

Felicity tugs on my sleeve with wide, eager eyes. "Say yes, Mia! Say yes!"

That does it—I laugh through the tears streaming down my cheeks. "Yes," I finally manage, my voice trembling. "Yes, of course I’ll marry you."

Miguel grins, slipping the ring onto my finger with a careful touch. It feels perfect, like it belongs there, like it’s been waiting for this moment. As soon as he stands, I throw my arms around him, pulling him close as Felicity cheers, jumping up and down and tossing her bunny into the air like a victory flag.

"You did it, Daddy!" Felicity squeals, bouncing around us like she’s celebrating a team win. "You asked her!"

Miguel laughs, holding me close for a moment before letting go to scoop Felicity into his arms. "We did it, kiddo," he says, kissing her forehead. "I couldn’t have done it without you."

"I helped pick the ring, Mia!" Felicity announces proudly, wriggling out of Miguel’s arms to grab my hand. She tilts it up toward the light, admiring the way the diamond sparkles. "Aunt Becca and Uncle Hector helped too!"

I stare at her, blinking. "Wait—Becca and Hector were involved in this?"

"Oh, they showed up," Miguel says with a chuckle. "They all stormed the jewelry store like it was a team mission. Felicity here declared herself ‘Ring Security’ and insisted on inspecting everything."

"I made sure it was perfect!" Felicity says, beaming. "And the unicorn committee said it was the best one for you."

"The unicorn committee?" I echo, laughing as I crouch down to her level.

Felicity nods solemnly. "They’re experts in rings, Mia. They told me this one would sparkle the most for you. And they were right!"

I look back down at the ring, twisting my hand slightly to catch the light. It’s breathtaking, simple yet elegant, with a timeless beauty that feels some.

"It’s perfect," I whisper, tears welling in my eyes again as I glance between Miguel and Felicity. "Absolutely perfect."

Felicity grins so wide I’m surprised her face doesn’t hurt. "Told you!"

"Thank you," I say, pulling her into a tight hug. "Thank you so much, Felicity. You’re the best Ring Security in the world."

She giggles, squeezing me back. "I know."

Miguel crouches down beside us, his hand resting on Felicity’s shoulder as he smiles at me. "I told you we’re a package deal," he says softly.

"You’re the best package," I reply, my voice catching as I lean in to kiss him.

The rest of the night is a blur of laughter, pizza, and stories about the "great ring mission." Felicity insists on giving a toast, holding up her juice box and declaring, "To Daddy and Mia, the best team ever!" Miguel and I clink our glasses of wine with her juice box, laughing as she beams with pride.

Later, after Felicity has fallen asleep on the couch with her bunny clutched in one hand and her Ring Security sash still draped across her chest, Miguel and I curl up together. The city lights glow softly through the window, and the weight of the day—the joy, the laughter, the love—settles warmly in my chest.

"So," Miguel says, his arm around my shoulders, "how does it feel to be the future Mrs. Ramirez?"

I smile, resting my head against his chest as I toy with the ring on my finger. "It feels like everything’s finally falling into place."

He presses a kiss to my forehead. "It is. And whatever comes next, we’ll figure it out. Together."

"Together," I echo, closing my eyes as I let the moment wash over me.

Miguel shifts beside me, his arm tightening around my shoulders. The warmth of his body seeps into mine, and I feel him press another kiss to my forehead, lingering just a little longer this time.

"The future Mrs. Ramirez," he murmurs again, his voice low and filled with awe. "My wife."

A shiver runs down my spine at the way he says it—soft, reverent, but with an edge of excitement that makes my pulse quicken. I tilt my head up to look at him, and the intensity in his gaze sends another wave of heat through me.

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