Page 224 of I See You

He reached into his pocket and pulled out the velvet box, revealing a radiant pavé ring set with a pear-shaped emerald and a stunningv-shaped diamond band that glittered like it was dipped in starlight.

“So, baby… will you marry me?”

He paused, then smirked softly through his tears. “Now?”

Her jaw dropped.

“Yes!” she cried, nodding fiercely. “Hassan—yes!”

Cheers erupted around them. Phones flashed. Cries and laughter filled the beach as Hassan slipped the ring on her finger and pulled her into him, holding her like he’d waited his whole life to love this way.

And he did.

The pastor stepped forward with a warm smile, ready to begin the ceremony, but Sevyn quickly stopped him.

“Wait,” she said, glancing over at Hassan with a pout. “I don’t have a ring for you.”

Laughter rippled through the crowd, but before Sevyn could say another word, Harper strutted over with a small box in hand, grinning from ear to ear.

“I know this ain’t the traditional way,” Harper said, “but nothing about you two has ever been traditional. I got his ring made exactly how he likes it—perks of being the nosy cousin.”

Sevyn chuckled as she took the box and opened it. Her eyes dropped at the sight of the gold band glistening with 4.70 carats of emeralds and diamonds. It was regal and bold—just like Hassan. The 14k gold wrapped around the stones like armor. Strong, beautiful, powerful. Just like the man she was marrying.

They turned to face the pastor as he began the ceremony, his voice solemn and full of reverence. Hassan and Sevyn stood hand in hand, glowing in white under the moonlight, surrounded by the warmth of their families and the rhythm of the waves behind them.

After the vows, the rings slid onto each other’s fingers like they’d been waiting a lifetime.

“I now pronounce you Mr. and Mrs. Gaines,” the pastor declared. “You may kiss your bride.”

Hassan wasted no time. He pulled Sevyn’s face into his hands and kissed her deep, passionately, tongue and all—like he was claiming what was already his.

“Alright now! We see how that baby was made!” Trina called out, making the entire crowd burst into laughter.

But Hassan and Sevyn didn’t budge. They were locked in their own world.

Just then—BOOM!—fireworks lit up the sky. Blue smoke erupted from the side of the beach, swirling upward as the crowd screamed and cheered.

“It’s a boy!!” Dorian shouted, jumping up and down.

Sevyngaspedandpulledawayfromthekiss,eyeswideinshock, her smile stretching ear to ear.

“Hassan!” she laughed, breathless. “You did the gender reveal too?!”

“I couldn’t hold it in any longer, baby,” he said, brushing a curl behind her ear. “But don’t worry—we’re still having the big baby shower and party when we get home.”

She pulled him close again, overwhelmed with joy, love, and the beauty of this moment.

“I love you, forever, Mr. Gaines,” she whispered against his lips.

Hassan smiled down at her, holding her like his world was finally right.

“Forever and always, Mrs. Gaines.”

Their friends crowded around as the girls squealed in excitement, giddy from the high of the surprise wedding.

“My girl is a wife!” Dorian hyped, hugging Sevyn tightly as Sevyn laughed and rubbed her stomach.

Dorian’s hand joined hers, instinctively cradling the tiny bumpof her own. She was pregnant too—Roman’s baby. She found out not long after Sevyn was released from the hospital and was scared shitless. But Roman didn’t flinch. He’d told her from the jump that he was in it for life—for her and their baby—and the moment he got the chance, he locked her down. Dorian had fought him, of course, like she always did, but Sevyn had known all along. It was meant to be them. Now, they were building something beautiful—raising a child together, blending into a family with his daughter, Rylan, who loved Dorian like she’d been born for the role. Sevyn couldn’t be more proud of her cousin finally settling into love.

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