Page 146 of Falling for Love

I stared at him, my heart pounding. Then I glanced at Hayden, who was bouncing on his heels, clearly thrilled with himself.

“You helped with this?” I asked him, my voice shaking.

Hayden nodded enthusiastically.

“Uh-huh. Liam said he wanted to ask you something really important, so I said I’d help because Liam’s awesome. He asked me if I approved, and I told him yes. Do you like it, Mom?”

Tears stung my eyes as I crouched in front of Hayden, brushing my hand over his hair. “I love it, sweetheart. It’s perfect.”

Hayden beamed, then looked up at Liam. “Can I tell her the other part?”

“Go for it,” Liam said with a grin.

Hayden leaned closer to me, his voice dropping to a loud whisper. “He has a ring, Mom. A really sparkly one.”

I laughed through my tears, pressing a hand to my mouth as I stood. My knees wobbled as I faced Liam, who was now holding a small box. He opened it, revealing a simple but stunning diamond ring that sparkled in the sunlight.

“Evie, you make this world right. I knew from the moment I met you that we could have something special and everlasting. Hayden sealed the deal.” He shook his head, smiling. “But I don’t want to go another day without you being mine forever. I love you, Evie. I love you, and I love Hayden, and I want us to be a family. You’ve changed my life in ways I didn’t even know I needed, and I don’t want to imagine a future without you.”

Tears streamed down my cheeks as I stared at him, my chest tight with emotion. “Yes,” I whispered, my voice breaking. “Yes, I’ll marry you. And I love you so much. You made me fall in love with love again. You just made me…” I glanced at my son and brought my gaze back to Liam’s. “Believe in me again.”

Liam’s face lit up, and he slid the ring onto my finger before pulling me into his arms.

Hayden cheered loudly, jumping up and down.

“You guys are gonna get married.”

Liam laughed, pressing a kiss to my muddy forehead. “We sure are.”

My heart was so full it ached, but I knew I’d finally found our happily forever after.

Hayden wrapped his arms around both of us, and I knew that this—this moment, this man, this family—was everything I’d ever wanted.

And it was okay to finally breathe again.

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