Page 125 of Say You Remember Me
“Hmm…” I pretended to think it over, rubbing my jaw with my thumb. “Yeah, I guess thatcouldbe a problem.”
“You think?” Her eyebrows shot up.
“Well, I guess that means I should probably ask you a question, then,” I said, unable to hold back a grin as I climbed off the bed and walked over to her side of the bed.
Her eyes widened as I lowered myself down on one knee, and I watched a kaleidoscope of emotions flit across her face—excitement, anticipation, and a flicker of hope that made my chest swell.
I reached for her hand, my thumb brushing over her knuckles. Her skin was warm beneath mine, the ring on her finger grounding me as my heart thundered in my chest.
“Maddie Elizabeth Stevens,” I began, trying to infuse every syllable with the depth of my emotions. “I love you. More than words could ever fully express. I want to spend every single day proving to you just how much. You’ve shown me what it means to love and to be loved, and I never want to let that go.” I paused, drawing in a shaky breath, the weight of the moment pressing against my chest. “So, Maddie…will you marry me? Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?”
Her hands flew to her mouth, and a choked sob escaped her as the first tears filled her eyes, trailing down her cheeks. She nodded frantically, unable to speak at first.
When she finally found her voice, it was soft and trembling. “Yes,” she whispered, her words breaking with emotion. “Yes, of course, Ian. A million times, yes.”
Relief and joy surged through me as she climbed off the bed and launched herself into my arms, her tears dampening my shirt as I held her close.
“I love you,” she murmured before kissing me, her fingers curling into my shirt as if anchoring herself to the moment.
“I love you, too,” I replied, my forehead resting against hers. The warmth of her acceptance settled deep in my chest, filling every corner of me with happiness.
But there was something else I needed to do.
“There’s just one more thing,” I said, pulling back slightly, my tone lighter now but no less serious.
“What do you mean?”
I reached for her hand, pressing a kiss to her knuckles before meeting her gaze again. “I need to ask someone else a question.”
She blinked, momentarily confused, before she seemed to understand. Her lips curved into a smile as I stepped toward the door and called, “Grant? Can you come in here for a minute, buddy?”
“Okay,” he called from the living room.
A moment later, Grant bounded into the room, his curious gaze darting between us. He climbed onto the bed, flopping down beside Maddie who smoothed a hand over his hair.
“What’s up?” he asked, his eyes alight with curiosity.
“I need to ask you something important,” I began, sitting down on the bed so I was facing him. “What do you think about me joining your family? Do you think it’d be okay if I married your mom?”
“Hmmm,” Grant said, scrunching his face into an exaggerated expression of deep thought. “Let me think about it…”
He tapped a finger to his chin, dragging out the moment like a pro, clearly savoring the attention.
Finally, after peeking at both Maddie and me to make sure he had us on the edge of our seats, he broke into a mischievous grin. “I guess you could marry her…but only if you promise to get her a real Lambo someday.”
A surprised laugh burst out of Maddie, and the infectious grin spreading across Grant’s face had me chuckling, too.
“A real Lambo?” I teased, ruffling his hair. “You drive a hard bargain, kid.”
“I think the original ‘Lambo’ is just fine.” Maddie shook her head, laughing as she wiped her eyes. “Don’t let him swindle you, Ian.”
“Okay, okay, how about this—” Grant put his hands out, his face utterly serious. “Maybe you can getmea Lambo when I’m older.”
“I’ll have to talk to your mom about that one before I make any promises,” I said, loving this kid and his antics so much.
“Aw, man!” Grant groaned, throwing his head back dramatically. “I already know she’s gonna say no!”
We all burst into laughter and then Maddie pulled both of us into her arms for a family hug. I wrapped my arms around the two people I loved most, letting the sweetness of this moment sink in.
