Page 35 of Paradox
Small lights decorating the next bridge over come on, the words “Marry me” illuminating the night. I know the moment she sees it because her body goes rigid in my arms. Her head swings around and she stares up at me, mouth open in shock.
“Jon?”
“Ellen.”
I turn her to face me, removing the ring from my jacket pocket and taking a knee. Ellen gasps, hands covering her mouth and nose.
“Oh God. Oh God….”
With a nervous smile, I flip the box lid open to reveal the princess-cut diamond ring inside. A tiny light on the lid shines down on it, making her eyes widen even more. I extend my free hand and she places her trembling one in it. Tears shimmer in her eyes.
“Ellen… beautiful… I’ve wanted to do this for a while now. I know we haven’t been together long, but it’s long enough for me to know I want to spend the rest of my life with you. You and Mikey have given me the life I’ve always wanted, and I can’t wait for our baby to be born. Your heart is the only thing I own that matters. Say you’ll be mine forever, Ellen. Will you marry me?”
“Yes,” she whispers, then clears her throat, the word coming out stronger the second time around. “Yes, I’ll marry you!”
Letting out a sigh of relief, I place the ring on her finger—finally—and rise, tugging her into my arms. I slide my hand into her hair and hold her close, secure in the knowledge that this woman wants to be with me for the rest of her days.
“Jon… God, I can’t believe….” She raises her head from where it rests on my chest, a brilliant smile aimed at me. “I’m so happy, I don’t know what to say.”
“You already said the only word I wanted to hear. Now you need to find a dress because I’m marrying you before that baby gets here.”
“Yes. I don’t want to wait either. I’d do it right now if we could.”
“Good. Let’s get out of here so I can keep that promise I made to you on our way here.”
“I’ll race you to the car.” She giggles, hurrying inside ahead of me.
The moment we step back into the restaurant, the other diners burst into applause. Ellen blushes furiously, burrowing into my side. I acknowledge the cheers with a nod and a smile, then take care of the bill. Back at the car, I help her in, then remove my jacket and toss it on the back seat. I slide in next to her to find her admiring the ring.
“It’s beautiful, Jon.”
“A princess cut for my MC princess.”
“Is this why you’ve been so… whatever you’ve been lately?”
“Mm-hmm.”
“What, did you think I’d say no?”
“A part of me was scared of that… that you wouldn’t want to get married after Eddie.”
She takes my hand, turning in her seat to face me.
“There’s no way I would have turned you down. I guess a part of me will always love Eddie, but I don’t wonder anymore about what could have been. Now I envision my future with you. Only you, Jon.”
I raise her hand to my lips, kissing her fingers. “I’ll do everything I can to make sure our life together is everything you want, Ellen. I promise you that.”
“I know you will. Now take me home, Dr. Emerson.”
“You got it, future Mrs. Emerson.”
“I love the sound of that.”
“Me, too, beautiful. Me, too.”
We’re home before I know it, the rattled nerves that plagued me on the way to the restaurant now soothed. As soon as we’re through the door, I push her against it, claiming her lips the way I’ve wanted to all night. She moans, arms coiling around my neck, body melting into mine. Lifting her into my arms, I take her to our bedroom, placing her on the bed as if she were a delicate flower. I stare down at her, wanting to cherish, to savor every bit of her slowly. She has other ideas because she sits up, getting rid of her dress and tossing it aside.
“Come on, mister. I was promised three orgasms.” She moves to lean against the headboard.
