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“If you have to swallow a frog, do it first thing in the morning.”
We’d visited Nana last month, and I adored that woman. She also gave great advice, so I should lift my lazy ass from the bed. But I wanted to try one more time.
"I have better ideas." I peeked from under the covers.
"Unpacking first."
I wasn't going to win this battle, that much I could tell. Perhaps it was a good thing, because if I had it my way, those boxes would remain unopened until Christmas.
"Okay, okay."
Twenty minutes later, I joined Graham in the living room. While sipping my morning coffee, I surveyed the small mountain of boxes tucked in one corner.
"I could swear it was smaller yesterday," I muttered when I finally dragged myself closer. On top were four identical small boxes that looked unfamiliar, but that wasn't saying much. I'd been in a frenzy while packing. I started with the first small box. It was empty except for a card with one word. "Will."
I frowned, trying to remember if these were supposed to be samples of wedding keepsakes. Boxes with printed poems on a card were not uncommon. Both the box and the card were definitely elegant enough for it—rectangular, with a glittery texture.
I opened the next one, hoping it would shed some light on the mystery. Another card, another word. You.
My heart started beating a little faster. There were two other boxes. Out of the corner of my eye, I tried to locate Graham in the room, but he wasn't in my line of vision, so I surmised he was somewhere behind me. My fingers were shaky when I opened the third box.
Marry.
I covered my mouth with one hand, blinking at the word. Then I opened the fourth box, and arranged a
ll the cards next to each other. Will You Marry Me?
I felt Graham come up behind me. He brought his mouth to my ear, and whispered, "Marry me, Lori Connor. You're the sweetest and strongest woman, and you have my heart. Nothing would make me happier than knowing you want to be my wife, that you'll trust me to make you happy for the rest of our lives. Will you be my wife? Will you and Milo be my family officially?"
"Yes, yes! Yes! I want to marry you."
He put an arm around my waist, flattening my back against his chest. Looking down, I noticed a ring in his open palm. A beautiful, princess-cut diamond set in a platinum band. Even without a ring box with the Bennett Enterprises logo on it, I knew this was one of Pippa's creations.
“This is my vow to you, and to Milo. I’ll always put you first, and love you.”
“Oh, Graham. I love you so much.”
My hand was shaking when he slid the ring on my finger. My chest was so full of emotion that I didn't know what to do with myself. Turning me around, he pressed his mouth to mine. We kissed as if we hadn't kissed in weeks. It felt like our first kiss all over again.
I hadn't been expecting this. After all, he'd been wary of marriage when I met him. I'd accepted it because I knew it didn't mean he loved me less. Yes, strange line of thinking for a wedding planner, and especially for me, but I was happy living with him and loving him. I didn't need a ring on my finger. Of course, that didn't make me any less ecstatic for actually receiving a ring. When I felt him hoisting me up in his arms, I wrapped my legs around him on instinct.
"Where are you taking me?" I asked, holding on tight.
"Upstairs to celebrate. We can unpack later."
***
My family started arriving at about five thirty. I was waiting for everyone to be here before I showed them the ring. Val and Hailey were the first ones. Val had brought her signature homemade barbecue sauce, and also some perfume samples for us to test and give our opinion. Landon, Maddie and their newborn daughter Willow arrived next.
“She’s lovely, isn’t it?” Maddie said as I cuddled Willow.
“Oh, yeah.”
“Can’t believe she’s finally here. Though my belly still looks as if Willow’s in there.”
"You are beautiful." Landon kissed her cheek, and Maddie affectionately rumpled his hair. I loved seeing my brother so happy. Every time I saw them, they seemed even more in love.
I dashed to the door to greet Will, Jace, and Milo, who'd just arrived.
