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Thea’s still right where I left her, tucked under the covers, waiting for me. And as I stand in the doorway looking at her, a wave of love nearly knocks me to my knees.
“What did you have to do?” she asks, her tone pitching up with interest.
One hand is still behind me, and I realize in all my planning, none of it took into consideration not having any clothes on.
Oops.
“Can you close your eyes for a second?”
“Okay…” Thea drags out the word.
But she goes along with it, keeping her eyes shut until I’m back under the covers and I say, “Alright. You’re good.”
“Ben. What are you up to?”
“Well.” My heart thuds hard, like a hammer inside my chest. “I had a plan. After you got home, I was going to give you a massage. And put flowers and candles out. I bought wine and that charcuterie stuff you like so much. And for later, I went to the bakery and bought cannolis.”
“That all sounds amazing, Ben.” Her hand smooths across my cheek. “Not that you have to do all that for me, but I love it. And we can still do all of that. We’re just a little off schedule.”
“I know. But in my plan, I had this idea to give you a gift at the end of the evening. Like a big, romantic gesture.”
Thea’s voice goes soft. “Oh, Ben.”
Now my heart is jack-hammering, so fast I’m light-headed with it. “But then… I couldn’t wait. I can’t wait.”
Thea shifts, propping herself up on an elbow. Her gaze is a mixture of confusion and concern. “For what?”
“For—” My breath catches. “For this.”
I pull the small box out from under the covers and flip it open.
A round diamond sparkles, catching the light and casting it around the room.
Thea gasps, her hand flying to her mouth.
“I love you, Thea. More than… I don’t have words to explain how much. But before I met you, I never imagined finding that one person I could love enough, trust enough, to want to spend my life with. And I thought I was okay with that.”
Swallowing hard, I continue. “Then I met you. And I knew from the start. I was stubborn and scared, so I tried to pretend I didn’t see it. Didn’t see you. But how could I ignore the most incredible woman in the world?”
“Oh, Ben…”
“It’s not just that you’re beautiful. Though you are. But it’s so much more than that. It’s how kind you are. How funny and smart and brave. It’s how I feel when I’m with you, like I can face anything. And Thea…”
Tears burn behind my eyes. “It’s how you embraced Laila. How you love her. Not because you want to make me happy, but because you just do.”
She whispers, “I do. I love you both so much.”
I brush a tear from her cheek. “And I love you. So… will you?”
Thea stares at me, blinking hard and sniffling. Then a little laugh burbles up. “Will I what? You didn’t ask.”
Oh. Right.
My nerves easing slightly, I smile at her. “It’s my first time asking. Ever. And the last time. So… Will you marry me, Thea? Will you officially become part of the Lewis family?”
My heart rises, a rocket shooting into space. I think she’s going to say yes. But I don’t know for sure.
“Yes, Ben. Of course.” She brushes at her tears, laughing and smiling at crying at the same time. “I love you. With all my heart. There is nothing I want more than to marry you. And to be a part of this family.”
