I wrapped my arms around her, kissing the top of her head. Her surprise meant I’d have to rework mine, but I was okay with that. “Thank you, baby. I missed you like crazy.”
She looked up at me. “I missed you too. Did you see the house? Doesn’t it look great?” She grinned, and I loved the sheer joy on her face.
“Briefly. Was more focused on getting to you.”
She began to tug at my hand. “Come on, I’ll give you a tour.”
She led me from room to room, proudly sharing how comfortable the couches were in the living room, how the dining table could be extended to fit our families. But it was the smaller details that caught my eye, the love and care she’d put toward putting our lives together on the walls. There were framed photographs of my family, of hers, and of us spread throughout the house. In the office, she’d had my draft letter framed along with a newspaper clipping from my very first game. She might not know a lot about the game itself, but she still made it matter.
If I didn’t already know with all my heart that I wanted to share my life with her, I’d have known it then.
“Oh shoot, did I not get it right?” she fretted when she caught a look at my face. “I thought you’d like—”
“Marry me,” I rasped, dropping to my knee in front of her. She gasped, her hand flying over her mouth as I continued, “I had a whole weekend planned—was going to surprise you by taking you to the house in Dillon. But I can’t think of a better time than when you’re sharing all the love and care you put into our home, into our future, for me to tell you that I want to spend the rest of my life with you. I love you, Ellie, with everything I am, and I always will. Marry me.”
Her green eyes shone with tears as she nodded frantically. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I stood up, taking her in my arms and kissing her soundly before I picked her up and spun her around. “Fuck yes!” I grinned.
“Are we seriously getting married?” she gasped, her eyes wide with joy.
“We’re seriously getting married,” I answered as I took her hand and pulled her to the front door where I’d left my duffle. I pulled the ring box out, holding it open for her to see the emerald engagement ring. “It reminded me of your eyes,” I explained as I slipped it on her finger. The vintage ring had been one of the first I’d seen, and I’d known immediately that it was the one.
“It’s so beautiful,” she murmured appreciatively.
“Damn, it feels good to have my ring on your finger,” I rumbled, my hands splaying across her hips and squeezing. “Let’s put the dogs out and go upstairs.”
She nodded eagerly, squealing as I swatted her delectable ass.
“Is this why my parents are coming out for a visit?” she wanted to know hours later as we lay splayed naked against our sheets. “Do they know?”
“They know,” I confirmed. “I went out for a quick visit to ask for permission.”
Her head shot up as she eyed me in shock. “You did? When?”
“I left a day early for the game and flew out,” I shared. “I wanted to do it in person.”
“Oh my god, you are so amazing,” she breathed. “Thank you for doing that. I’m sure it meant the world to them. I take it my dad gave his blessing?” she teased.
“Not even begrudgingly.” I smiled, stroking my hand over her back. “He was sure to note that he expects grandkids.”
She groaned. “Of course he did.”
I rolled over her, pressing in between her legs. “As far as I’m concerned, we could start trying right now, but I figure you probably want to get married first.”
She laughed. “You figured right. But we can practice all you like.”
I looked down at her, seeing my future in her eyes. “You deserve the world, Ellie. And I’m going to give it to you.”
“Mason, don’t you see? You already have.”
And with that, she once again floored me with the capacity of her love and trust in me. I knew with every fiber of my being that she meant it, that she only wanted me. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t work for the rest of my life to give her everything she deserved.
For so long, I’d had family and football. But with Ellie I had so much more.
With her, I had everything.
Epilogue
