Page 21 of Sweet Summer

“You could be in a brown paper bag, with holes in it, and I’d think you were better dressed than the Queen of England.”

Her eyes narrow playfully. “But could I wear it to the Met Gala?”

I nod in agreement. “I have no idea what that is, but yes. You could wear it to the Met Gala.”

Throwing her head back, she laughs before leaning in to kiss my cheek. “I’m starving. Are we eating here for this event or going somewhere else?”

“We’ll be staying here, but before we eat I have something I really wanted to talk to you about first.”

Taking her by the hand, I led her over to one of the tables, pulling out a chair for her. Slowly she takes a seat, watching me intently and studying my every move. “Wyatt, what is going on?”

“Well.” Reaching into the pocket of my pants, I pull out the ring box. “I know that my life has always been leading me to this moment with you. The moment I get to do this.”

I drop to one knee. Taking the ring out of its box, I hold it up in front of me–––with grand flourish, mind you––and look into her eyes. “I don’t want to do this thing they call life without you being a part of mine. You’re my everything, Freya Fredericks, and you always have been. I know this is a new road for both of us, but I really hope you’ll say yes and we can navigate it together. Will you marry me?”

Her jaw drops. “Marry you?”

“Please?” I take one of her hands and hold it in my free one. “If I promise to make sure we laugh every day and not go to bed angry?”

She nods and leans in close to me, winking. “Do you promise to make the bed in the morning and put the toilet seat down? That’s a big ask, I know, but we need to nip any future arguments in the bud now.”

“I think I can manage it.” I tilt my head to one side. “Do you promise to not get mad at my work hours and the fact that some days I may come home smelling like smoke?”

Grinning, she cups my face with her hands, pulling me even closer to her. “I do.”

“I guess this is your way of telling me yes?” Taking the ring from its perch, I take her hand and slip the ring on her finger. It’s a perfect fit thanks to Maisey. She managed to swipe one of Freya’s rings and gave it to my grandmother who had it matched for sizing.

These Lake Lorelei women. Brilliant, I’m telling you.

Freya bobbed her head up and down, wiping tears from her eyes with the back of her hand. “Yes, Wyatt Hogan. One thousand times yes I would love to be your wife.”

I pull her to her feet with me, wrapping my arms tightly around her waist as she pulls me into a kiss that literally takes my breath away. Her lips on mine tell me we are forever, so I press back, letting her know I am hers and only hers.

She finally takes the lead and steps away, breaking the spell of our moment. Freya holds up her hand admiring the sparkling bauble. “Oh, wow. This is gorgeous! I can’t wait to show Maisey. And I need to call my parents. They’ll want to know. And your grand––.”

I hold up my hand to stop her. “All taken care of, in fact,” I jerk my thumb in the direction of the back patio doors, “if we go out there, you’ll find the folks you mention and a lot of other people who love you very much waiting.”

“What?”

“They're all here to celebrate with us.” I toss my hands in the air. “Surprise?”

Her eyes sparkle. “Best surprise ever.” She glances at her hand and the ring one more time. “Well, actually this is,” she says as she holds up her hand, grinning like the Cheshire cat from Alice in Wonderland.

“Ready to go out there and give them the good news?” I ask as I gently take her hand in mine.

Freya leans in for one last kiss. “Let’s do this.”

***

Dear Wyatt,

Today was the best day of my life––I became Freya Hogan. I also made it down the aisle without falling, so I feel like we’re already winning at marriage.

So, I’m your wife. How crazy is that? We’re a family now and I couldn’t be more excited. We made it through braces, stitches, bike races, retainers…all of the things! You’ve always been my perfect partner in crime, how lucky am I that I get to have my forever be with you?

I wanted to leave this note for you to find before we went on our honeymoon so you’d know a few things:

1. I love you so much my heart actually hurts sometimes. HURTS!! But in the best way possible.

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