Page 75 of Protecting My Nanny

She smiles softly, her hand trailing down to my chest as she kisses me again. "Good," she whispers.

Chapter 34

Nicole

Emotions hit me hard as we explore the botanical garden. Here, surrounded by the vibrant blooms and the gentle mist of sprinklers cooling the air around us, everything feels perfect. The soft drops on my skin are comforting, and the earthy scent mixed with flowers brings back childhood memories. I'm reminded of my mother's garden in Italy—the way she tended to her flowers with so much care. I run my fingertips along the petals of a rose, lost in the array of colors and smells.

"Is this place even open?" I joke, glancing around at the empty paths. "Where is everyone? How could anyone want to be anywhere else but here?"

Shane just smiles; his silence speaks volumes. I keep talking, rambling on about the flowers, but I can feel his gaze on me. It's different, more intense. I pause, turning toward him, and that's when I see it. His eyes are filled with emotion, so much that it stops me mid-sentence. The look in his eyes—it's overwhelming, like he's seeing me for the first time, or maybe for the thousandth, but each time with more love than before.

"I can't wait anymore," Shane says suddenly, his voice quiet but firm. I blink, confused, as he steps closer and then drops down onto one knee. My heart skips a beat.

"Nicole," he begins, looking up at me with a mixture of love and determination that leaves me breathless. "I love you more than anything. We've been through so much, and I want to spend the rest of my life facing everything with you, side by side." He pulls out a small velvet box, and the sunlight catches the diamond inside, making it sparkle. "Will you marry me?"

For a second, everything stops. The world fades, and all I can feel is an overwhelming rush of joy, disbelief, and love. Tears fill my eyes as I nod, my voice trembling. "Yes," I whisper, and then louder, "Yes! Of course I will."

As Shane slips the ring onto my finger, it fits perfectly, as if it was always meant to be there. Overwhelmed with joy, I throw my arms around him, pulling him close, and our lips meet in a passionate kiss. In that moment, nothing else in the world matters. Wrapped in each other's embrace, we stand there, completely caught up in the magic of the moment.

He takes my hand, leading me down a path to a quiet spot near a fountain. The sound of the water is soothing, the air scented with lilacs, and the breeze rustles the leaves of the weeping willows overhead. It's peaceful and serene—the perfect place for this moment. Shane pulls me close again, kissing me deeply, his hands sliding up my back, sending shivers down my spine.

"We're alone," he whispers against my ear, his voice low and filled with desire.

I can feel my worries melting away, my body responding to his touch. My hands find their way under his shirt, caressing the firm muscles he's built over the past few months. Shane has been working out more since everything happened, and it shows. His body is strong, capable, and safe.

I kiss him again, my fingers tracing the hard lines of his chest, eager to feel him even closer. I moan softly as he pulls my shirt up, his fingers teasing my skin, his lips finding their way to my neck, then my chest. Every touch sends a wave of heat through me. I feel his hand slide down the front of my pants, his fingers moving expertly until they find my clit. He knows exactly how to touch me, how to make me weak with just a light graze. I feel myself getting wetter as his fingers slide inside me, his gaze never leaving mine as he works me toward the edge.

I want him. I need it.

I pull him down onto the soft grass, kissing him with a hunger I can't control. We undress quickly, our hands frantic as we touch every inch of each other. I straddle him, our bodies fittingtogether perfectly as I move, my hands resting on his chest. The sound of the fountain and the cool breeze only add to the intimacy of the moment, and as we reach our climax together, I feel like the luckiest person alive.

We return home, still wrapped in the glow of the proposal. As we approach the house, I notice a huge banner hanging across the doorway that reads, "Congratulations!"

I laugh, turning to Shane. "Is that for us?"

He grins, clearly proud of himself. "Yep."

I nudge him playfully. "How did you know I'd say yes?"

He shrugs, smirking. "I know everything."

Inside, the house is filled with familiar voices and music. Giovanni is the first to greet us, pulling us both into a hug. "Congratulations, you two!" he says, his smile wide and genuine.

Jaime runs over next, wrapping his arms around my leg. "Nicole, does this mean you'll be my mom now?" he asks, his eyes filled with hope.

I kneel down to meet his gaze, my heart swelling. "Jaime, I'll be whatever you need me to be," I say softly, pulling him into a hug. Shane kneels beside us, wrapping his arms around both of us.

In that moment, everything feels right. We're a family, complete and ready to face whatever comes next together.

Epilogue

Shane stands proudly at the altar, his heart pounding just about as fast as he thought it would, mesmerized as he watches Nicole gracefully make her way down the aisle to the theme of Here Comes the Bride.

Behind them, the beach stretches out, its golden sand reflecting the warm, soft glow of the setting sun. Nicole's dress is a delicate ivory lace. It hugs her figure and flares gently at the bottom, flowing elegantly with each step she takes. Her veil flutters behind her like a wave in the gentle breeze. To his left, Jaime stands next to Giovanni. Gio gives him a reassuring smile and nods. Jaime is grinning, his excitement barely contained as he watches Nicole approach.

Marie sits in the front row, and just behind her are Oliver and Kristen, who are seated next to Annette, with Alex bouncing happily in her lap. Love permeates the air as family andfriends surround Shane, and gratitude washes over him. They are all here, united in this moment, to witness the beginning of something wonderful.

As Nicole reaches him, Shane takes her hand, feeling the warmth of her skin against his own. He catches her gaze, and the world fades away at that moment. It's just the two of them, bound together by everything they've been through, standing on the edge of a new chapter. The vows they exchange are full of promises, spoken with steady voices but brimming with emotion. Shane reflects on how much he's grown and the better man he's become because of her love, strength, and unwavering belief in him.

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