Page 64 of Property of Zombie

“Yep.” I grin.

“But we’re not getting married!”

I gently lift her hand so she can see the diamond ring I put on her finger. “This says otherwise.”

“But… You…” Lucy narrows her eyes at me. “Did you even ask me to marry you?”

“Of course, I did. It’s not my fault you were doped up on pain meds and don’t remember,” I tease.

“I… We… Dammit, Zombie.”

Laughter barrels out of me at her expression. “Lucy, I’m kidding. Well, sort of.”

“Sort of?!”

“I mean, I did tell Melanie that we were getting married and going on our honeymoon,” I inform her. “But I haven’t properly asked you yet.”

“I knew it,” she huffs.

“I’m asking you now, though.” She levels her gaze on mine for a moment, her mouth hanging open. I gently push it closed. “Lucy Thomas, will you marry me?”

“No,” she blurts. “I mean… Shit, what do I mean?”

“I think you mean yes.”

“Why, Zombie? Why do you want to marry me?”

“One of these days, I’m going to tell you something, and you’re gonna let it sink in. How about we make that day today?”

“Answer the question,” she snaps, her sass slowly returning.

“When I reached Frosty's enclosure,” I begin, my vision blurry with tears as I recall the moment. “I thought you were dead. All I could see was the blood in the water. I couldn’t see you, and I definitely didn’t see Evan. For that brief moment in time, I wished for death just so I could be with you.” Unashamed, I wipe away a tear that escapes. “Jesus, Lucy, I don’t ever want to feel that way again. The thought of not having you in my life, of not being bound to you, mind, body, and soul… I can’t.” I kiss her softly. “You asked me before if I want you because I need you or if I need you because I want you. The answer is both. Maybe that’s wrong, and maybe it’s not what you want to hear, but it’s the truth. I want you because you make my world a little brighter. I want you because you’re the light to my dark. And I need you because, without you, I cease to exist.” I take a deep breath. “So, I’ll ask you again. Will you marry me?”

Tears stream down her cheeks, but she’s smiling. “Yeah, I’ll marry you.”

I wrap my arms around her in a hug, and she hisses from the contact, but when I try to pull away, she sinks her nails into my sides, silently demanding I stay.

“On one condition,” she adds.

Here we go…

“What’s that?”

“We at least wait until I’m not visibly broken. I don’t want our wedding pictures to be reminiscent of a horror film.”