Page 143 of Beautiful Thing

But for now, I lounge under the twinkling tree and watch Layla play with her son. Her eyes light up every time Sky laughs.

She’s never been more beautiful and at ease. She just looks…happy. She’s changed into the cozy pajamas I got her, complete with thick, fluffy socks.

I also got her a fancy French press. Some lacy lingerie I’ve been dreaming about seeing her in. A beaded handbag my mother helped me pick out at the farmer’s market. A whole bunch of other stuff Daphne conned me into buying from her boutique.

Whatever. I didn’t mind one bit. I may not be the richest guy around but nothing is too much for my girl.

Layla and Sky got me a beard grooming kit and some classical novels that were missing from my bookshelf. But my favorite present was the custom ceramic mug featuring a picture of the three of us together.

The longer I just sit and watch Layla interact with the little guy, the more warm and fuzzy I feel. She’s everything I could ever want in my wife, in the mother of my children. Gentle. Patient. Selfless. Tough as nails. And her love for Sky is so damn special that I could only dream to have a teensy tiny part of it.

Oh, hell.

The moment Sky is distracted with crashing his race cars under the coffee table, I pull Layla into my arms.

She leans into me, beaming. “Merry Christmas, Archer,” she whispers.

“Merry Christmas, Belle.” I kiss the side of her head. “Are you having a good morning?”

She nods. “The best.”

“Good. Because I have something to ask you.”

Her brows pinch together. “Does it involve coffee?”

I shake my head. “I’ll give you all the coffee in the world. But first…Layla Cipriani. It’s time we make this thing between us official.”

She cocks an eyebrow at me from where she’s comfortably sprawled in my arms. “Archer…what are you talking about?”

I pull a breath into my tight lungs. “Please give me the luxury of waking up to you every Christmas morning. Give me the luxury of kissing you every New Year’s Eve. Give me the luxury of dancing with you on Valentine’s Day. Give me the luxury of being your partner day in and day out. Give me the luxury of being your husband.” I swallow thickly, slipping out from under her to get down on one knee. “Will you…will you marry me?”

Layla stares at me in shock.

Before she can answer, Sky hops over and shouts excitedly, “We getting married? We getting married, Mister Mustache?”

I wrinkle my forehead at him, exaggeratedly displaying my worry. “I don’t know, little man. Depends on whether or not I can convince your mom. What do you say, Layla?”

Sky grabs Layla’s arm and shakes it. “Yes, Mommy! Yes! We getting married!”

Layla buries her face in her hands, trying to cover up her tears and her laughter. She glances over at Sky who is nodding eagerly.

Then after the longest moment, she meets my eyes. “Yes. Yes. Ohmigod, yes, Archer! We’re getting married!”

“We’re getting married, buddy!” I shout victoriously, high-fiving the little boy.

I swoop them both up in my arms, squeezing tightly and they cling to me.

“Oops! I almost forgot.” I have to wiggle around a bit to get to the box that’s wedged in my back pocket.

I flip open the red velvet box and we all stare down at a vintage leaf engagement ring from my mother’s cherished jewelry collection. Three strands of yellow gold weave together around an oval diamond in the center.

Layla gasps. “I get a ring, too?”

“Pretty sure that’s how it works.” I bite back a smile. “My mother’s. It’s been in my family for a few generations.”

Tears fill her eyes. They flood down her face. “Oh my god, Archer. It’s beautiful and so special…and…and…”

“And you are all those things to me, Belle. You are all that and more.”

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