"Let's build our home."
I swallow around the lump in my throat.
"And when that home's finished..."
I smile.
"I want you to marry me."
Lucy stares at me.
For a second, she doesn't say anything.
Then she laughs through her tears and shakes her head.
"You really planned all this."
"I've been planning it in my head for a long time."
"You didn't even know me."
"I knew I wanted someone worth waiting for."
I brush another tear from her cheek.
"Turns out she was the quiet girl at the clinic."
She smiles so wide it steals what's left of my breath.
"You're gonna make me cry again."
"I don't mind."
"I do." She laughs softly. "My face already hurts."
I grin.
"So..."
She swats my chest.
"So?"
"You gonna answer me?"
She steps closer until she's pressed against me.
"You really mean all of it?"
"Every word."
"You'll support nursing school?"
"I'll help however I can."
"You won't expect me to quit working?"
"Never."
