Page 108 of A Me and Him Thing
“I’m talking about forever.”
The empty restaurant. Rose petals lining the floor. Romantic music. Candlelight. An elegant dinner. Both of us dressed to the nines. We’re talking major grand gesture, here.
Oh my gosh. I’m an idiot. I didn’t see this for what it was. “Forever?”
“Yes. It can’t happen soon enough for me.”
Ren gets down on one knee next to my chair. He removes a small velvet box from his pocket. He opens it to reveal a stunning diamond ring.
He’s taken me by complete surprise.
His eyes burn into mine. “I don’t want to wait. I want to marry you now. Right away. Next week, if we could pull it off. Will you marry me, Bree?”
My trembling hand covers my mouth. “You want to marry me?”
“Yes. More than anything in this world.”
“I thought…I guess I just assumed that you would need time.”
“I’ve had plenty of time. Nothing but time. I choose life. I choose you. Marry me? I’m so ready to start living again.”
I was not expecting this. At all. I figured Ren would need time to mourn his losses.
But he’s mourned long enough. He’s done, ready to go for it.
“Yes,” I say. “Yes, yes, yes. A thousand times yes.”
I’m rewarded with a huge smile. Ren slips the ring on my finger. He stands, then he pulls me up to him, and we embrace in the tightest hug.
Then he kisses me again and again and again. And he doesn’t hold back. I am Bree the Beloved.
I can’t wait to live my life with this man by my side.
Epilogue
ONE YEAR LATER
QUINN, SAWYER, JOSIE, Jordyn, and little Jaxon enter the hospital room. Sawyer’s holding his “mini me.” Jaxon is the image of Sawyer. He’ll be a looker one day. A Valentine birthday boy who breaks hearts instead of capturing them.
Josie and Jordyn look huge to me now that I’m holding my very own newborn baby in my eager arms.
Ren’s sitting next to me. If he doesn’t stop puffing out his chest with pride, I’m going to poke him with a needle and deflate him.
Not really. But I’ve given him sufficient warning. He says there’s not a haystack in sight for me to find a needle, so he’s safe. For now.
I reminded him we’re in a hospital. This is where needles live.
He mock yelled, “Help! I need an adult!”
I love our banter. He’s my comeback king.
No, he’s my everything.
“Oh Bree, she’s so beautiful and perfect.” Quinn scoots the blanket away from her face so she can get an unobstructed view. “She’s angelic.”
She is. She’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen. I mean, I’m her mom. Of course I think she’s perfect.
“What’s her name?” Quinn asks.
