Page 206 of Pucking Strong

I blink my eyes open, ignoring my blurry tears.

“I love you,” he says again. “You know I do. You knew it before I did. Before I could ever form the words, you already knew. I love you as a friend, as a lover, as the partner of my life.”

“I hoped you did,” I admit.

But he shakes his head. “No. You knew. You know me, mitt hjärta. No one has ever made me feel more seen than you. No matter what comes, we will be together, yes?”

I place both hands on his hips, anchoring myself to him as I nod. “Henrik,yes. I’m yours, you know that. I would have liked a second sink to prove your love,” I tease. “But I guess this works too.”

“You have to give him a ring!” Camila shouts from behind me.

“That’s true,” Natalie says from my left. “A proposal usually comes with a ring, Henrik. If you’re doing this all again, do it right, honey.”

Lips pursed with amusement, Henrik drops his hands from me and works the slender gold ring off his right pinkie. My heart officially fucking stops. He holds it up for my sisters and nieces to inspect. “Will this suffice?”

Jayla’s eyes narrow on the band. “Is that real gold?”

I groan, but Henrik just chuckles. “It is. A Karlsson has worn this as a wedding ring for over one hundred years. It was my mother’s. She gifted it to Teddy, the man who is my heart’s fire, mate of my soul … Those were her words, correct?” he adds at me with a teasing smile.

It’s all I can do to nod, tears ready to brim over.

“I’ve kept it safe for you, mitt hjärta. You told me to wait and give it to a partner I love, cherish, and adore.” He holds it out to me. “Will you take it now? Take it, like you’ve taken my heart.”

“Sweet lord,” Jayla murmurs.

Nat elbows her. “Will you hush up? Let the man have his moment.”

“Kneel down, Morbror,” Karolina calls. “They always kneel down.”

“Yeah, honey, do it right,” says Jay.

I feel like I’ve swallowed a fucking rainbow as Henrik dutifully drops to one knee again, holding out the slender gold ring. He takes my right hand in his, pressing a tender kiss to my knuckles. “Theodore Malik O’Connor, make me the happiest man alive, and marry me … again.”

“In English,” Nat adds over my shoulder.

“Yes, in English,” he agrees.

“And I’m flower girl,” Karolina shouts.

“And we’re all invited,” Jayla adds.

“Of course.” He gives a solemn nod. Then he looks to me. “So, will you? In front of our family and friends, will you vow to be mine for always?”

“Say yes, Uncle Teddy!”

“If you don’t say yes, I will.”

Henrik just waits, smiling only for me.

Feeling joyous and free, I nod. “Yes, Henrik. I’ll marry you again.”

Fingers trembling, he slips the thin gold band onto my right pinkie. We both stare down at it, finally at home on my finger. He brushes his thumb over the band. Leaning down, he kisses it. His lips sear my skin like a brand. It’s a sacred act, a sealing of his intent. In this moment I decide: This ring is never coming off my finger again.

Grabbing him by the shirt, I pull him up to standing. My arms go around his shoulders and then we’re kissing. The hallway erupts in cheers as our family loses it. I’m laughing and crying, kissing him again and again. “I love you,” I pant, our hands everywhere as I claim his mouth.

“I love you.”

“I’ll marry you. God, baby, I’d marry you every day of the week.”

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