Page 136 of DadBod

“Me?” Her hand covers part of her cleavage, and I wish it could just stay there but it can’t.

“Yeah. You.” Ryann helps me by walking over to Elizabeth, taking her hand, and pulling her up to the front.

“What?” Elizabeth looks over at my parents and smiles. “Hi. Welcome home.”

“Thank you, Elizabeth,” Mom and Dad respond together.

Turning to face me, she asks softly, “What do you need?”

Reaching down, I take one of her hands. “You. I need you.” Moving slowly so as not to startle her, I lower myself until I’m on one knee.

“Rome?” Elizabeth’s voice squeaks. “What are you doing?”

“Something I’ve wanted to do for a long time.” Kissing her hand, I gaze into her pretty eyes. “I love you, Elizabeth. My kids love you.” Hell, everyone loves her. “Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me?” I glance to her left, signaling my kids to approach. “Marry us?”

“Oh.” Her free hand moves up to cover her mouth. Her eyes are on my kids. “Really?”

“Really,” Ryann answers first.

“Heck yeah,” Calvin says, pumping his fist in the air. “Let’s get hitched.”

As the small group laughs at my youngest, I slip the ring on her finger. My grandmother’s ring. One Tina didn’t want, which is good because, for some reason, I wasn’t ready to part with it. Now, before you think I’m a jerk, you should know that Tina didn’t like the ring. She claimed it was too plain. But it’s not plain. It sparkles just like Elizabeth does. God. I can’t wait for Elizabeth Bennet Duncan to become Elizabeth Bennet James.

“It’s beautiful.” She gazes at the two-carat diamond in a simple setting. I knew she wouldn’t want anything over the top, and this bezel-set ring is perfect. My grandmother would be pleased it’s going to someone who will cherish it as much as she did.

“Congratulations, Betsy.”

Her head snaps up as she gasps, “Kevin?” He’s not alone either. They’re all here, even Will, her father. It took some convincing to get him to make the trip, but I’m hoping, with some encouragement and a few propositions, her father will decide to move to Chicago as soon as Sam’s released.

And as promised, I researched ways to get Sam here. It won’t be easy, but it’s not impossible. It’s up to Illinois, the governor’s office, to approve the change. Luckily, I know a guy….

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