Page 28 of Hellraiser

We toasted just as the sun dipped below the view. Dre turned to me, his expression serious yet tender as his eyes softened.

“Mercy, this past year has been amazing. You’ve stood ten toes down by my side and showed me what true loyalty looked like in a woman. I tried to fight my feelings initially, but you’ve been mine since the first night I saw you. I love you more than words can say. I brought you here because I want to ask you something.”

My posture straightened with a ball of nerves as my hands clasped together momentarily before placing one over my belly, trying to settle the butterflies. A smile played on Dre’s lips as he reached into his pocket and pulled out a small, black velvet box. He opened it to unveil a shimmering diamond engagement ring. My breath caught in my throat as tears welled up in my eyes.

“Instead of asking you to marry me, I wanna ask you, will you take the keys to my heart? It’s yours forever if you want it.”

I nodded, unable to articulate words through my emotions. Dre slipped the princess-cut diamond ring on my finger, and I tossed my arms around his neck, pulling him into the warmest, tightest embrace before kissing him deeply.

“Yes, baby. A thousand times, yes.”

The deep gray of his irises danced with joy, and small crinkles formed at the corners. He looked at me with such an intense gaze as if he couldn’t believe his luck. His hands rested on the small of my back, holding me close.

“I love you more than words can express, Mercy.”

“I love you too.”

As we held each other, our future together never seemed brighter. Our love story, though quick, had proven to be true and lasting over the past 365 days. With the news of our engagement, I couldn’t wait to usher in a new chapter filled with even more joy and adventure with my man by my side and the Savages at our six.

THE END

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