Page 181 of Betrayal and Vows

"Because everyone is right." He glances between Lena and me. "I'll leave you two alone. But first—" He reaches into his jacket and pulls out a small velvet box. "You asked me to pick this up before you decided to take a three-week nap."

Lena stares at the box in confusion. "What is that?"

Dmitri winks at me and sets it on the bedside table. "Ask your husband," he says, then strolls out of the room.

"Dmitri, wait—" Lena starts, but he's already gone. She turns back to me, eyebrows raised. "Anton? What's going on?"

I look at the ring box, then at her beautiful, confused face. This isn't how I planned to do this. I wanted to be standing,wanted to be strong enough to get down on one knee properly. But we've never done anything the conventional way.

"Before the warehouse," I say slowly, "I asked Dmitri to pick something up for me. Just in case."

"Just in case what?"

"In case we survived. In case we got our chance at a real life together."

Understanding dawns in her eyes. "Anton..."

"I know this isn't romantic. I know I'm lying in a hospital bed looking like death warmed over. But I can't wait anymore, Lena. I've wasted too much time already." I gesture weakly toward the box. "Will you get that for me?"

With trembling hands, she picks up the velvet box and opens it. Inside is a simple but elegant diamond ring—not too flashy, but beautiful. Classic. The kind of ring she deserves.

"Marry me," I say, my voice stronger now. "For real this time. Not just for the hospital staff. Marry me because I love you more than life itself. Because I want to raise our child together. Because I want to spend whatever time I have left on this earth making you happy."

Tears stream down her face as she stares at the ring. "Anton..."

"I know I don't have much to offer," I continue. "No legitimate job, no clean past. Just a man who loves you and wants to be better because of you."

"Yes," she whispers.

"Yes?"

"Yes, you idiot. Of course, yes." She laughs through her tears. "Did you really think I'd say no?"

Relief floods through me so powerfully it makes me dizzy. "Take the ring out."

She does, her hands shaking slightly. I take it from her, and even that small movement sends pain through my chest. But Imanage to slip it onto her finger, where it catches the light from the window.

"Perfect fit," I observe.

"How did you know my size?"

"Dmitri asked Elena. Apparently, mothers know these things."

"Get in bed with me," I tell her.

She gives me a look like I've lost my mind. "Absolutely not. You're in pain, you just had surgery?—"

"Only you can make me feel better," I interrupt, shifting carefully to make room. "Please,solnyshko. I need to hold you."

She hesitates, clearly torn between wanting to be close to me and not wanting to hurt me. Finally, she sighs. "If I hurt you?—"

"You won't."

She climbs into the narrow hospital bed with extreme care, settling against my uninjured side. The moment her warmth presses against me, some of the tension I've been carrying finally releases. This is what I needed—her heartbeat against my ribs, her scent in my lungs, the solid proof that she's alive and safe.

"Better?" she asks softly.

"Much." I press a kiss to the top of her head. "Now tell me what happened after I went down. All of it."