Page 85 of About That One Night
Zoe’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. “I love you, Max McCallister, and you’re probably right. I wouldrather be by your side, working on our happily ever after while dealing with life.”
My breath catches in my throat. “You love me?” I ask, my voice barely above a whisper. My heart pounds so hard I’m sure she can hear it. I search her face, looking for any sign of doubt, but all I see is sincerity and warmth.
“Yes, I love you,” she repeats, a radiant smile spreading across her face. “And I want us to build a life together.”
Her words hit me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless. For so long, I’ve been the one in control, the one making plans and ensuring everything is secure. But this—love, commitment, a future with Zoe—this is something I can’t control, and it terrifies me. Yet, it’s also the most exhilarating feeling in the world.
I pull her into my arms, holding her tightly against my chest. “You have no idea how much that means to me,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
I lean in and press my lips to hers, pouring all the love and gratitude I feel into the kiss. It’s deep and meaningful, a connection that transcends words. Her lips part slightly, and I take the opportunity to deepen the kiss, savoring the taste of her, the feel of her against me.
As we stand there, wrapped in each other’s arms, I feel a sense of home I’ve never experienced before. This is it, I realize. This is where I belong.
My heart pounds in my chest, each beat echoing the overwhelming emotions surging through me. I tryto convey everything in this one kiss—the love, the admiration, the sheer awe of having her in my life. Her hands clutch at my shirt, pulling me closer, and I can feel her heart racing in sync with mine.
The world stands still as our kiss deepens, our breaths mingling, and our bodies pressed together. It’s as if time has paused, allowing us this perfect, heart-stopping moment of connection. When we finally pull away, breathless and gazing into each other’s eyes, I know she’ll understand everything I’ve tried to convey.
She’s giving me everything. Her heart, herself, our baby, and forever.
What else can I ask for?
In this moment, I am remindedabout that one nightwhen everything changed.
That night was the spark that ignited a fire within us, the beginning of a journey that led us to this very moment. Her love is a guiding light that has shown me the way to a happier life—a fulfilling life with her.
We are bound by more than just promises; we are bound by the memories of that night, by the hopes and dreams that were born from it. Her love is a promise, a whisper of forever in the language of our souls. And as I look into her eyes, I know that no matter what the future holds, we will always have that one night and the countless moments that have followed.
Epilogue
Zoe
The sun setsover the ocean, casting a warm golden glow across the beach, blending seamlessly into hues of deep purple and soft pink. The waves lap gently at the shore, creating a soothing rhythm that matches the calm I feel. I lean back into Max’s embrace, his arms wrapped securely around my swollen belly. Seven months pregnant, and I’ve never felt more content.
“We still need a name forher,” I murmur, resting my hands over his. “We can’t just keep calling her ‘the baby’ or ‘little princess.’”
Max chuckles, his breath warm against my ear. “We’ll find the perfect name. It’ll come to us when the time is right.”
I tilt my head to the side, looking up at him. “And what if it doesn’t come until she’s a teenager? I don’t think ‘hey, you’ is going to cut it.”
He laughs, the sound deep and comforting. “We’ll have a name long before then. I promise.”
I smile, feeling our little girl kick gently. “She’s active tonight.”
“She must like the view,” Max says, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Or maybe she’s just excited because it’s a special day.”
Special day? I’ll never understand this man and his surprises. I mean, I love everything he prepares, but I really can’t understand how he finds the time to spoil me the way he does. Like this babymoon. He wanted to take me to Fiji, but it’s too far and I’m in my third trimester. So instead, he planned a getaway to Bermuda. It’s much closer, and still offers the stunning beaches and relaxation we both need.
“Why is it special?” I ask curiously.
He winks at me. “Are you sure you want to know?”
“Always,” I say, almost giddy.
“You’re going to have to close your eyes. No peeking.” I try not to protest and do as he says.
“No peeking,” he reminds me.
“Is this the part where you run away and leave me behind saying the joke is on you, come and find me?”
“Hey, leave the bad jokes to me, beautiful,” he teases. “Now open your eyes.”
When I do, I see him on one knee, diamond in hand, and a big smile on his face. “Zoe,” he begins, his voice soft but steady, “there’s no way I can name just one thing that I love about you, about us. Everything is so deeply intertwined. The love, the desire, the laughter—they’re all part of a beautiful tapestry that makes up our relationship.
“It’s the way we communicate without words, the silent understanding that transcends anything I’ve ever known. Every moment with you is filled with a connection so profound that it’s impossible to separate one feeling from another. They all blend together, creating something extraordinary and indescribable.
“Zoe, you are my everything. I want to spend the rest of my life unraveling the intricacies of our love, exploring every facet of our connection. Would you agree to be my best friend, walk with me in this life, and be the mother of my children? Will you marry me?”
Tears fill my eyes, and I can hardly see the ring he holds out to me. This moment, this promise of forever, is a culmination of all the love and understanding we’ve shared. “Yes,” I whisper, my voice choked with emotion. “Yes, Max, I’ll marry you.”
As I throw my arms around him, our future together feels more real than ever. This is the beginning of a lifetime of intertwined moments, bound by the love we’ve built.
