Page 28 of Saving Luke

I'm not in anything fancy, just some jeans and a silk blouse.

We sit down, and over breakfast, the conversation flows until Luke speaks up.

"So, I got a job. They are holding it for me until after the first of the year, when my doctors think I will be released." He says, and my eyes shoot to him.

Almost like he can read my mind and can see the questions racing through it, he continues.

"It's on the base here, doing basically what I was doing in the military, but now as a civilian contractor. There will be no more deployments."

"Luke, that's wonderful!" I tell him, more relieved than I should be, because he’s staying in the area, but it means he won't be near Gabbie.

Then, Gabbie says, "I put in for a transfer to change schools starting next year. So, I have one more semester before I can move down here."

These two have to have a connection to my head today, and it's kind of creepy.

"Well, that means we will have another girl to hang with, right Brooke?" Jill says.

"Yep, and one more for wine nights," I say, smiling big.

"When she turns twenty-one." Luke narrows his eyes at me.

"Sure, sure," I joke with him, and he just smiles, and so does Gabbie.

"Okay, time to open gifts!" Jill says, and the adults move to the living room. My brother gets Jill the watch she had been hinting hard at for months. My grandma gets my brother and me our yearly gift card to go buy clothes.

My brother got me the most adorable scrubs with military logos on them. I might have a slight scrubs addiction, since I wear them all time.

Luke gives Gabbie the purse he bought her, and she squeals louder than the kids did.

"Luke! Are you serious? Oh, my God. I can't believe you got me this bag. I've never had anything this nice! I swear I will take care of it." She’s already moving everything from her old purse to the new one.

I hand Luke his gift.

"Now, this is from all of us, and there’s no arguing, okay?" I tell him.

He gives me a skeptical look, before ripping open the wrapping paper and opening the box.

"I can't believe you guys." He pulls out a brand new phone with a bunch of accessories my brother swore he needed.

"You need a reliable phone for work, and we might have gone overboard. But thanks to my brother, it's all stuff you will need," I tell him.

He sets the box down and pulls me in for a kiss that’s a bit longer then what I'd have expected being in front of my family and all.

Then, he and my brother share a look that I can't read before Luke stands and hands me my gift. It's a small box, and as I continue opening it, I see a velvet jewelry box just perfect for a ring.

My hands shake, as I open the box and find the most stunning princess cut diamond ring I've ever seen. When I look up at Luke, I find him down on one knee in front of me.

As I glance around the room, everyone is wearing smiles, and Jill is taking pictures.

"Eyes on me," Luke whispers, and my eyes snap back to him.

"I knew the moment I stepped into Oakside and saw you that you were someone special who I wanted to get to know. Those first few days after I was transferred to one of your rooms, I remember being so dumbfounded. I had no idea what to say to you, but I was just happy to have you in my space. But the more I got to know you, the harder I fell in love with you. It took me a bit to admit that to myself, but it's true. I’m head over heels in love with you. Now that everything is lining up for when I leave Oakside, there’s just one more piece of the puzzle to put together. I want to marry you and start our life together. I want to be your husband and for you to be my wife. Will you marry me?"

My eyes dart to my brother, who is wearing a huge smile, and he nods slightly. Looking at my grandma, she wears a matching grin and nods as well. My eyes land back on Luke, and his eyes never left mine.

"Yes," I say, and the whole room bursts into cheers.

"Does this mean you will be our uncle?" Clark asks.

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