Total pages in book: 84
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 81176 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 406(@200wpm)___ 325(@250wpm)___ 271(@300wpm)
“What is this?” I said, my voice cracking as I attempted to keep my tears at bay. I dropped my purse on the kitchen counter and walked toward Wes.
My eyes took everything in and landed on those green eyes that were filled with so much love, it nearly made my knees give out.
“Happy Valentine’s Day, baby.”
“Oh, Wes,” I said as I took the bouquet and drew in a deep breath through my nose! “These are beautiful.”
“Not as beautiful as you, though.”
Before I could say a word, he dropped down to one knee and I sucked in a breath.
“Clare, we may have started off this crazy relationship totally ass backwards, but there was always a part of me that knew you were the one.”
Tears flowed freely from my eyes and down my cheeks as I looked at the only man I had ever truly loved.
“I hate that I wasted so much time not seeing what was so obvious. You and me. Us. I can’t imagine living this life without you by my side. My partner in everything. My best friend.”
My hand came up to contain my sobs.
Wes took the flowers from me and set them on the coffee table. Then he reached into his pocket, took out a ring box and opened it. I gasped when I saw the beautiful diamond engagement ring. As a matter of fact, I swayed slightly.
Wes took my hand, and I could hear my heart pounding in my ears as I tried to calm my breathing.
When I saw tears form in Wes’s eyes, I felt my own start to flow again.
“Clare Monroe, will you please do me the honor of becoming my wife and lifelong partner.”
Dropping down to the floor, I wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him. He pulled me closer to him and deepened the kiss until we both needed to break away and breathe.
“Is that a yes?”
Laughing and crying at the same time, I replied, “Yes! I want nothing more than to be your wife.”
Wes took the ring from my hand and slipped it onto my finger. He gently cupped my face and kissed me so softly.
Suddenly I heard clapping. Turning, I saw Wes’s entire family, plus my parents, come rushing into the living room from both bedrooms.
“Oh my gosh! You’re all here!” I said as Wes helped me stand. Rory ran to me and hugged me. “It was so last minute on Wes’s part, but we all knew we had to be here. Finn and Angie got it all on video too!”
She pointed to Angie, who must have snuck in from the balcony. She walked over and hugged me tightly.
“I can’t wait to have another sister!”
Hugging her back just as tight, I said, “Thank you, Angie.”
Soon a line formed, and Wes and I were getting hugs and congratulations from our families. My father and Mike popped open some bottles of champagne and started pouring glasses. I couldn’t help but notice Angie took one and pretended to take a sip. I made a mental note to talk to her. She was going to be showing soon, and she needed to tell her parents.
Tapping on a glass, Finn got everyone’s attention. “I’d like to propose a toast to my big brother who finally opened his eyes, and to Clare. I knew the moment you laid eyes on each other there was a spark there. Took you long enough.”
Everyone laughed as Wes slipped his arm around my waist and drew me against his body as Finn finished up the toast.
“May you both find the love and happiness that surrounds you in this room.”
Everyone yelled out “Hear-hear!”
“And of course, our mother would like to add, may you soon fill her home with more grandbabies.”
My mother cried out, “I second that!” as everyone held up their glasses.
Leaning toward me, Wes whispered, “I say we practice with a dog first.”
Turning to him, I smiled. “Do I get to pick her out?”
“Her?”
I nodded.
He pretended to think about it, and right at that moment, Flash ran by with one of Wes’s shoes, Finn hot on his tail with Presley running behind him with the other shoe.
With a long sigh, he said, “As long as it isn’t a dalmatian, you can pick out the dog.”
Laughing, I reached up and kissed him quickly on the lips. “Deal.”
Epilogue - Angie
The Truth Comes Out
I drew in a deep breath and slowly blew it out. Time was running out, and I needed to tell my parents about the baby. I was already twelve weeks pregnant, and my brothers were pushing me to tell our parents.
“You okay?” Reece asked as he came and stood next to me.
“I’m scared of what they’re going to say, Reece.”
He turned me to face him. His finger went to my chin, and he lifted my face so that our gazes met. “They love you, Angie. They’re not going to disown you.”