Page 308 of John + Siena: The Complete Duet

John’s laughter followed her into the kitchen. “You’ve said that for every kid that knocks on the door tonight.”

“I can’t help it. Look at them.”

“So hey, my sister is coming down from California for a week or two,” John said.

Siena turned to find he was leaning against the island. “The youngest one?”

“Lucia, yeah. She hasn’t met you yet, and I was hoping we might be able to do something with her, or … try. Then she can get to know you, or something.”

“Why try?”

John shrugged. “She’s still pissed at me for shit that happened a while back. Maybe rightfully so, but it is what it is. I can’t change the past, you know?”

Siena smiled softly. “I’m sure she’ll forgive you—whatever it was.”

“Yeah, maybe. Anyway, you wouldn’t mind, would you?”

“Of course, not.”

One of her favorite pop songs started to play from the living room, and Siena couldn’t help but dance a little to the beat. She went back to working on the food for dinner that she had discarded when the kids knocked.

She could feel John’s eyes on her as she moved, and it kind of felt like butterflies beating inside her stomach.

It was strange in some ways how much had changed in such a short amount of time. Her sheltered, carefully controlled life was gone, and she was happy.

Sure, things were still a little shaky in a lot of ways. John taking over the family. Her mother was still missing.

Siena was still happy.

She only had one person to thank for that, too.

“Siena.”

She spun on her heels to face John at his call of her name, but she had to look down. He was down on one knee, and had one hand outstretched toward her. He opened up his palm, and sitting inside was the prettiest princess cut diamond resting on a thin, interwoven gold bands.

Her heart thundered.

Her muscles froze.

Her breath caught.

John smiled. “I’m sorry it took so long for me to do this, babe.”

Siena shook her head. “Never apologize for you, John.”

“I love you, Siena. You know that, don’t you?”

God, he had to ask?

“I love you more than life itself, John.”

“I know—look at all you’ve done for me. My father used to tell me that everyone has one person who is their person. One single soul meant for theirs. I didn’t really believe that until I met you.”

She quickly wiped the one tear that escaped from her eye. “You’re my one person, John.”

“And you’re mine, mia amore.”

“Hurry up and ask.”

John laughed. “Siena, will you be my wife?”

“Yes.”

He was up off the floor before she had even finished speaking. His lips found hers as he pulled her impossibly close to his body. Love thrummed through her soul. Happiness buzzed through her mind.

Unfortunately, Siena knew …

Reality was never far behind in her life. She never seemed to hold onto happiness for very long before something came to take it away.

She hoped that wasn’t the case this time.

God.

She hoped …