Page 48 of Choosing Happily Ever After

“But you told me that you wanted to explore the world and—”

“I wantyou, Hope. Just you. We can figure out the rest of it later.”

Tears flowed freely down her cheeks now. “But I want a baby, Levi, and that’s not fair to ask you.”

“Woman.” He cupped her chin with one hand and gently tipped her head up so she looked into his eyes. “Do you really not understand what I’m saying here?” He grinned. “I love you and I want you and I want a life with you. All of it. If that means doing things a little out of order from what I thought about once, then who cares? None of that matters. The only thing that matters is you and me. Iloveyou, Hope. I want to be with you. I want to share a life with you, and I want to have a baby with you.”

A sob escaped her lips, and she pressed her free hand to her mouth.

“And,” Levi continued, “since you mentioned it, what’s not fair is that you didn’t ask me what I wanted in any of this.” He winked at her and she laughed.

It was a sweet sound that made Levi’s heart clench in his chest.

Damn, but he loved her.

“I’m sorry.” Her smile was the only apology he’d ever need. “I probably should have asked.”

“Speaking of asking questions.” Levi gave her a quick kiss on the cheek and dropped to one knee as he pulled a ring box from his suit pocket.

“Levi! What are—”

“Hope Turner,” he started. “It should be no secret by now that I love you.” He took a deep breath. “I’ve always loved you, and I will always love you. No matter what life throws at us, we can handle it as long as we’re together. Anything. Which is why I’m here today asking you if you will please do me the very big honor of being my wife.” Levi lifted the ring box a little higher. “Hope, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” She answered so quickly, it took Levi by surprise.

“Yes?”

“Yes.” She nodded and laughed. Her hand shook, but Levi managed to slip the vintage diamond ring on her left hand. It was a perfect fit.

“It’s beautiful, Levi.” Hope stared at the ring while Levi got to his feet. “Is it your grandmother’s?”

He nodded, suddenly overcome with emotion.

“It’s absolutely perfect.”

It was. But not as perfect as her.

Levi cupped her cheek for a moment before taking her into his arms and doing the one thing he’d been wanting to do since he’d set eyes on her. He pressed his lips to hers and kissed the love of his life.

ChapterFourteen

Hope

“Hey, hey.”

A voice from behind her interrupted the moment. Not that either of them cared. Levi didn’t release her from his embrace, a fact Hope was very grateful for.

“Seriously, I’m sorry to interrupt, but…” The voice that she now clearly recognized as Logan’s interrupted them again. “Don’t you guys need to say some vows or something first?”

Vows?

The dress.

The ring.

The people.

Realization dawned on her all at once as finally, belatedly, all of the pieces came together. Not only was Levi asking her to marry him, theyweregetting married.Now.

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