Not just the sight of her dress stuck to her knees, or the gleam of sweat on her throat. But the way she’s happy. The way she’s safe. The way, even now, after everything, I can still give her something new to smile about.
She steps out and I hand her a towel.
She notices my watch then. “What time is it?”
“Almost four.”
Her eyes narrow. “You’re planning something.”
I shrug. “Maybe.”
Her laugh is suspicious. And curious. And just a little excited.
Good.
Because she has no idea that in less than an hour, she’ll be walking into the field behind the barn… and see everyone.
All our people.
And what I’ll be doing.
But not yet.
For now, she’s barefoot and flushed and licking chocolate off the comer of her lip while wild bunnies play at her feet, and I’ve never loved her more.
Not yet.
But soon.
Very soon.
The tacos are dripping all over our hands.
It’s ridiculous, honestly–how messy they are. Spicy carne asada with too much guac and those grilled onions she loves, wrapped in paper–thin tortillas that
tear the second you touch them. A complete disaster.
But she’s laughing, biting into one like it’s a feast, juice running down her wrist as she leans forward over the bench by the river. Her golden braid sticks to the side of her neck where sweat is starting to collect from the warmth of the afternoon sun, and there’s hot sauce on the corner of her mouth. She’s glowing. Unbothered. Carefree.
She’s perfect.
I mean it–perfect.
We’re barefoot now, feet dangling off the riverbank, toes grazing the cool water. Little silver fish dart around below, catching the light like glimmers of polished coins. A turtle glides lazily past, and she gasps like a child and nudges me with her foot. “Look, Asher.”
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4:58 pm
Chapter 324
I do.
At her.
ppp.
I can’t stop looking.
The ring in my pocket feels heavier with every passing minute. It’s tucked deep, wrapped tight in a little black velvet box I’ve been carrying for weeks now- weeks, but planning for years.
A gold band. Simple. Like her.
No–like the truth of her. Not the fancy dresses and stage lights and applause. Just her. Quiet, gentle, sunshine–wrapped Penny. With her warm smile and patient soul and fiercely loyal heart.
And that oval–cut diamond on top? That’s the light she brings into every room.
I was going to do this later, when we met up with everyone. The field’s already set up, flowers and lights, music. Rooster probably has the champagne chilled by now, and Boomer’s probably worrying he’ll miss his cue to hit play on the speakers. It’s all arranged.
But I can’t wait.
She’s sitting here beside me, one leg swinging slowly above the water, talking about how good the pineapple salsa was and how she wants to try recreating it at home and how maybe we should plant some fruit trees behind the house.
And I’m looking at her, really looking–at her flushed cheeks, soft and full. At her lips, pink and shiny from the mango soda. At her lashes, long and curled,
casting shadows on her cheekbones.
And I think–now.
I shift slightly, hand brushing toward my pocket.
But then she speaks. Softly.
“Asher?”
I freeze. “Yeah?”
Her head tilts toward me, a little mischievous sparkle in her eye. “I think you have something very special planned for tonight.”
I blink.
The velvet box stills under my palm.
“…Maybe.”
She smiles, but there’s something nervous in it. Something sweet and cautious and trembling like a butterfly wing.
“Can I tell you something first?” she says.
I nod. “Of course.”
2/5
1:58 pm
Chapter 324
She turns slightly, pulling her bag closer to her side. Her hand digs through it–slow, deliberate–and I feel my pulse pick up. She doesn’t take anything out yet. Just holds it there, fingers curled around something invisible.
She looks up at me.
“I love you so, so much,” she says.
My heart trips.
Her voice is shaking now. “And I want to spend the rest of our lives together.”
I’m nodding already, breath caught in my throat, about to tell her she will, she is, she does-
But then she says it.
“The three of us.”
3
She pulls her hand out.
And in it… a small white stick.
My mind stutters.
I blink down at it, not registering the words on the screen right away. Just the soft pink lines. Two of them.
A pregnancy test.
Positive.
My jaw drops slightly.
I look at it.
Then at her.
Then back.
“Is this…?” I manage. My voice is a whisper. Barely there.
She nods, eyes already wet with tears.
I take it from her, hands trembling. My thumb brushes the smooth plastic like it’s made of glass.
Then I pull her into me, scooping her off the bench and into my lap like she weighs nothing.
My hands settle over her stomach.
Warm.
Real.
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4:59 pm
Chapter 324
Ours.
ppp.
“My baby’s in there?” I ask, voice cracking.
She nods again.
And I swear, I’ve never known joy like this. Not in the Navy. Not even at the gala. Not even on that night when I saw her dance and felt like I’d watched
heaven crack open.
This?
This is everything.
I kiss her–hard. Then slow. Then soft.
Then I kiss her belly, over the fabric, pressing my lips there like a vow.
“I’m gonna take care of you both,” I whisper. “Forever.”
She sniffles and laughs and buries her face in my
shoulder.
And it’s not until we’re holding each other in the golden light, toes still in the river, turtles still swimming past like the world hasn’t just shifted entirely on
its axis–that I remember.
The ring.
I let out a soft, stunned laugh.
“I was about to propose, you know,” I murmur.
She pulls back. “What?”
I nod and dig into my pocket, revealing the little black box. I open it.
The ring glows gold. Just like her.
She gasps.
And then she starts crying again.
“You still can,” she whispers.
But I shake my head, smiling. “Penelope Vales, will you be my wife?”
She nods with silent tears and I slide the ring onto her finger anyway, without kneeling, without speeches, without theatrics.
Just the three of us.
2
By a river.
4/5
Chapter 324
Holding everything that’s ever mattered.
Comments
V Ness C
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Damnit now I have to review my last statement where I said the previous chapter was perfection! You went ahead and one–upped perfection to whatever this level is !!
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Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland’s breathtaking cold.
