Owen was outside and he smiled when he sawme. The yard was huge, circling the entire house. The neighborswere a good distance away but close enough I knew they werethere.
“Well take it.” I heard Stephan say. “I’llpay asking price and give them an extra ten percent if we can haveearly settlement, and they’ll be extra for you if you can have thepaperwork to us ASAP. There’s a lot that needs to be done in timefor us to move in.”
Everything felt right. Perfect. I stareddazed as I listened to Stephan. I felt like I was in a dream. Susanbeamed.
“Sure, Mr. Silverman. I’ll get right onthat.” Susan walked toward the gate with her mobile at her ear.
Stephan came to me and his arms circled mywaist gathering me against him. I gazed up at him, my mouth dry.Tears rolled freely down my cheeks. The man would do anything forme. Why had I taken so long to figure what a treasure Stephan was?How on Earth did I get so lucky? I hugged him.
“I love you so much. Thank you for beingmine. Thank you for being patient with me and never giving up.”
Stephan wiped my eyes. “I love you too,little bit.” He stepped back, and then he got down on one knee.
Gasping, I opened my mouth and shut it. Istilled, too scared to move or even breathe. Closing my eyes Ipinched my arm.Ouch. My life had never been like this. I’dnever been this blessed. Slowly I opened my eyes and there wasStephan still on his knees and holding a red velvet box. Inside wasa beautiful diamond ring. The diamond was oval and a flat settingwith smaller diamonds surrounding it. I held my breath, terrifiedand excited at the same time.
“Jade Black, I love you more than anything inthis world. I know we’re young, but I’ve known from the moment Ilaid eyes on you that you’re mine. You’re my soul mate. My one. Iwant to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you do me thehonor of marrying me?”
Letting my breath out I calmed my racingheart. “Is this real?” I felt like I was in dream I never wanted towake up from.
I heard chuckles and Stephan sighed. “Ofcourse it’s real.”
Before the last word was out of his mouth Ithrew myself at him. He fell back onto the grass. “Oh. My. God. Ilove you so much. Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you. I never thought I couldever have what you’ve given me. I have a family. I have so muchlove. Thank you. Thank you.” I covered him with kisses.
Laughter surrounded us, but I didn’t care.Straddling Stephan I planted a big kiss on his lips. He beamed atme and my heart soared. My life went from living day-to-dayfocusing on finishing school and getting away from my grandpa. Tohaving a family and a future I never dreamed possible.
Stephan grabbed my left hand and slid thering on; it fit perfectly. Not many things in my life had been goodbut I knew what I had with Stephan was like the ring—a perfectfit.
The End