Total pages in book: 138
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 133688 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 668(@200wpm)___ 535(@250wpm)___ 446(@300wpm)
Owen grabs my free hand and looks into my eyes. “Mama, I gave Dad permission,” he says, and I can see he’s growing emotional too.
“Permission for what, baby?” I ask.
Moments later, Noah steps into view, looking as handsome as ever. Even though he’s been wearing those clothes all day, I can see the happiness radiating from him. He moves forward, and Owen and Anthony step aside. Behind me are all of my friends and family, watching as Noah gets on one knee.
I suspected a proposal after the first letter, but I never imagined it would be anything like this. The thought he puts into making moments special for me is magical.
He rubs his thumbs across the top of my hand.
“Katie, I’m pretty sure you’ve figured it out by now.” He chuckles, and I nod as tears drip down my face.
“I meant every word in those letters. I love you, sweetheart, more than anything in the world. I’d do anything for our beautiful children…” He glances at Owen, then back at me. “And for you. As I mentioned, you’re the only woman I’ve ever loved with every fiber of my being, and I told myself that if I ever had the opportunity to marry you, I wouldn’t pass it up. And here we are, beautiful. Katie…will you please spend the rest of your life with me and let me make you breakfast in bed, massage your feet, and treat you like the queen you are? Will you marry me?”
The whole time I was too focused on him to even notice the beautiful ring he’s holding.
“Yes, baby. Yes!” I say, and he stands and slides his lips across mine.
When we pull apart, he takes the ring out of the box, slips his hand in his pocket, and then pulls out a silver chain.
“It’s sized for after the babies.” He chuckles. “Gemma suggested it.”
Gemma shrugs and meets my eyes. “Don’t you agree?”
I nod. “Totally.”
Noah slips the ring on the necklace, then clasps it behind my neck. I look down at the diamond sparkling in the sunshine, then pull him closer. I get lost in this kiss as his tongue slides against mine, and if we didn’t have an audience or weren’t in public, there’s no telling where this would lead.
Congratulations are in order, and we exchange hugs and tears and handshakes galore. My senses are heightened because of my hormones, and I can’t remember the last time I’ve cried so much, but I welcome tears of happiness any day. While we’re saying our goodbyes to everyone, Owen gives me a tight squeeze.
“Thank you for saying yes, Mama,” he tells me.
I look at him and tilt my head. “You thought I’d say no?”
“Well no, but I didn’t know,” he says with a laugh. “I’m just happy Noah will be in our lives forever.”
“Forever, baby,” I tell him with a grin.
Loretta approaches and says they’re going to do some more activities, and Anthony asks if Owen can join them. Wanting to have some alone time with Noah, I agree.
“I’ll bring him home after we’re done here,” Loretta says.
“Memaw, can Owen stay the night?” Anthony asks with a twinkle in his eye, and I know I can’t say no to that.
“Only if Katie says it’s okay.”
He comes over to me and smiles. “Ms. Katie, can Owen pretty, pretty please stay over?”
I laugh. “Sure. That’ll be fine.” The boys give me a handful of thank-yous. Owen gives me a hug goodbye, and I thank Loretta for everything.
As they walk away, Noah pulls me in close. “You ready to get outta here, fiancée?”
I lift my brow at him. “I like the sound of that, but I think I’ll like being called wife better. Also, does that mean what I think it means?”
He bites the corner of his lip and smirks.
“Hell yes,” I say. We stop and pick up my gigantic wreath that may or may not fit in the trunk of my car, then leave. When we get home, we make love until nightfall, then fall asleep naked.
I can’t believe I’ve been calling Noah my fiancé for two weeks. It feels like a dream, all of it. Having the house finished, the proposal, and now the baby shower for the twins. How’s this my life? If someone would’ve told me at the beginning of the year I’d be engaged and pregnant before Christmas, I would’ve asked them if they had fallen and hit their head.
When I roll over in the morning and feel his strong arm wrapped across me, I almost pinch myself. It’s a dream come true, and I don’t dare take a damn day for granted.
“Babe, almost ready?” I hear Noah call from the other room.
I chuckle because I’ve changed clothes at least ten times, and now I’m exhausted. “No!” I yell back.
Moments later, I hear footsteps padding down the hallway, and the door to our room swings open. Noah grins from ear to ear. “What you’re wearing looks hot,” he tells me.