Page 42 of Love Her Always

“Exchange the pig and goat for rabbits and you’ve got a deal,” Olivia said giving him a grin. He lifted a brow at her in surprise and she laughed sliding over his lap adding, “In fact…William Russell Masters…will you marry me?”

She felt his arms tighten around her and smiled as he stopped breathing, waiting for his answer. “Will, I’m serious, will you marry me? Be the father of my children, mine for life, my protector, my lover, my everything?”

“Livy, baby…yes,” he said seeing the look in her eyes that told him everything he needed to know. “On one condition though…”

“What? I don’t tell anyone I’m the one who proposed?” she teased giving him a bright grin.

“I actually think we’ll tell everyone that tidbit, especially our children so they know how strong their mommy always was,” he said letting his hands slip up and down her arms.

“Then what’s your condition? I continue seeing Teri; tell her about proposing to you to make sure I’m not jumping a hundred pages here?”

“No, although I do want you to see Teri for as long as you need or want. I want you to know you can talk to her or me about anything and I’ll never try to stop you.”

“I know that Will, so what is your condition hmm? Next time I faint it best be because I’m pregnant?” she asked as he cupped her cheek softly laughing lightly at the idea.

“Well that one too, but no baby, my condition is that you come back to work with me. I need you there Livy. I want you beside me. You’re the only one I want beside me and then whenever we have a baby, we can work from home, and have our own little baby area at the office. To hell with what anyone else thinks or says in regards to playing favorites, you’ll be my wife, so it’s allowed.”

“I’m finished with everything to get rid of Scott permanently, I suppose I could pencil the office into my schedule,” she said with a grin. “So that’s a yes? You’ll marry me?”

“Just name the time and day baby, I’ll be there two hours early,” Will promised before kissing her fully, showing her just how much he meant it.

Chapter 13

“So, tell me honestly, do you think I’m crazy?” Olivia asked as Teri stared down at the engagement ring that Will had surprised her with the night before, a ring that she loved as much as she loved him.

“No, I think you’re living again. Olivia, from the time we met to now…I have never seen anyone with your strength, and it is amazing to see you open up and grow with the people who love you,” Teri said giving her a full smile. “Anytime you need to talk to me, my door is open, no matter what it’s about, if you feel you just need a safe place to rant about a client or Will for leaving the toilet seat up…I will be here for you.”

“Thank you for everything,” Olivia said feeling tears hit her as their time finished. “I would likely be dead right now instead of him if you hadn’t gone to find me help. I can’t even begin to explain what that means to me.”

“Just be happy Olivia, marry Will and have a family…what?” Teri said as a light blush spread across her face.

“Will and I…I told you we slept together the night of my birthday, well we didn’t use protection.”

“That was only a week ago Olivia,” Teri replied.

“I know but the next morning my phone went off reminding me of where I was in my cycle, and we discussed things and have left it up to fate to decide for us. I proposed knowing he meant it when he said he wanted me to have our baby whenever it should happen. I’m sure it’s highly unlikely that we did conceive, but part of me hopes we did. A small part won’t be too disappointed if we didn’t because being with Will is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced and I’m not even beginning to compare it to Scott because that wasn’t sex, it wasn’t making love…”

“It wasn’t,” Teri agreed understanding what she was thinking.

“Well, if we have a few more months just the two of us it’ll be okay, because it’s been amazing, and each night since has simply let my heart and my head open up more when it comes to making love with him. I don’t even feel the slightest bit of worry when Will slides his arms around my waist, holding me back against his chest. He does it now and all I feel is warmth and love, protected and safe…he’s amazing to me.”

“Good, you deserve amazing Olivia. And you’re sure you’re ready to go back to the office?” Teri asked stalling her at the door.

Olivia nodded feeling content with it all. “I can’t imagine not going back now. I needed the break, to get rid of Scott and the house is on the market as of yesterday. There’s been a few people that have looked at it, whether it’s because it was our place or if someone really wants it, I’m leaving to the real estate agent to figure out. I sold the car, gave the money from it to charity, and then found Will bought me a belated birthday present. It’s a new car, one that I actually love, not as much as him, but it’s perfect, just like the ring he got me yesterday.”

“He knows the real you Olivia. He loves all of you, so let him. Enjoy yourself and invite me to the wedding,” Teri added giving her a hug as she headed out with a smile to meet Will to head to her parents’ place to tell the others their news.

“Mmm, you look and smell incredible,” he said giving her a long kiss.

“Well look at you, still can’t tie a tie without me, can you?” she asked her eyes sparkling as she gazed up at him.

“My Livy grin is back in full force,” he stated letting her fix it. “I never want you to lose that grin again baby.”

“Then you better treat me well, in and out of bed,” she said letting the grin stay on her face as he drove them to her parents for dinner. “Teri said we should invite her to the wedding, and I think we should also include Jake, your parents naturally—we should probably have invited them tonight actually…”

“I did, they want to see you, so I told your mom we wanted to have dinner with everyone, but you didn’t really want to go out just yet.”

“Brilliant aren’t you, my love?” she asked giving him a soft kiss as they arrived. “Well other than them and my family we could always invite Penny and a few others…but that’s all I need there besides you.”

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