Page 163 of Wild Tangled Hearts

“A year ago I asked you a question. And you said you wanted to wait to answer me, to see if I still feel the same way about you. And I don’t.”

I frown up at him, my heart sinking. “You don’t?”

“No, Bella, the love I felt for you then is nothing compared to how in love with you I am now. And I’m glad we waited. Glad we took the time to get to know each other better. To get close with each other’s friends and family. But...” From his pocket, he retrieves a small velvet box and, with a deliberate and almost ceremonial touch, he opens it. Before me lies a breathtaking ring, its facets catching the dancing firelight, creating a dazzling display of brilliance. "I don’t want to wait any longer. I want you to be my wife. So I’ll ask you again. Isabella Pearl Montgomery, will you marry me?"

Without hesitation, I cry out, "Yes!" My voice carries the weight of a thousand emotions, all wrapped up in that single word.

He gently slips the ring on my finger. It fits perfectly as if it was always meant to be there.

His mouth finds mine, and I melt into his kiss, and my heart beats a love song, “Alex, Alex, Alex.”

As we catch our breath, his voice, filled with a hint of playfulness, caresses my lips. "So I guess I only have one more question," he says.

I lean back, curious. "What's that?"

"How long before you want to have kids?"

I can't help but burst into laughter, taken aback by the suddenness of his question. But as I look into his eyes, I see a sincerity that stops me in my tracks. "You're serious?" I ask, searching his face for confirmation of this life-altering conversation.

"I want whatever you want," he continues, his voice filled with sincerity. "A handful of kids, or one or two, or if you want it to just be you and me for a long time, or forever, I'll be happy, because I'll be with you."

As I look into Alex's eyes and consider all the possibilities our future could hold, I'm filled with a profound sense of contentment. The world is vast, and there are countless paths we can choose to walk together. The thought of building a life with him, filled with love, adventures, and perhaps a family, fills my heart with excitement and anticipation.

Alex's words echo in my mind, and I realize that he's right. It doesn't matter what life throws at us, as long as we're together. Whether we decide to have a family or cherish the moments of just us two, whether we face challenges or sail through calm waters, our love will be the constant that guides us.

In this moment, I understand that our love is the anchor that keeps us steady, the fire that warms our hearts, and the light that guides us through the darkest nights. No matter what the future holds, I'm certain that with him by my side, our journey will be filled with love, laughter, and the kind of happiness that only comes from sharing a life with your soulmate.

Reader’s Choice:

What should Bella do next?

Hold off on starting a family and have a big outdoor wedding with family and friends. Turn to this page.

Embark on another adventure — the adventure of parenthood. Choose to have a small wedding, and start trying for a baby. Turn to this page.

Chapter76

Alex

PRIVATE PROMISE

The sunlit courthouse feels almost empty, echoing with the distant voices of clerks and lawyers. In this quiet moment, that will change my life forever, it’s just Alex and me — exactly how I want it.

Alex’s hand feels warm and steady in mine as we stand before the magistrate. His eyes are locked onto mine, a storm of emotions swirling within them.

I can’t wait to be his forever.

The magistrate’s words drift through my consciousness, but they are secondary to the feeling in my heart. The vows we exchange are simple, yet they hold the weight of a thousand promises.

The ring slips onto my finger, a symbol of our love and our commitment. Alex’s eyes shimmer with unshed tears.

“I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the magistrate says, her voice filled with a kind of warmth that makes this small ceremony feel more significant than any grand event could.

Alex leans in, capturing my lips with his in a gentle, lingering kiss. We’re married, truly and completely. And my heart aches with something I’ve never truly experienced until him.

Love.

It’s a word that’s often tossed around, but right now, it takes on a depth and meaning I never knew possible. It’s a beautiful, terrifying, and exhilarating sensation that courses through my veins, binding me to him in ways I can’t fully comprehend.

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