AllFreeNovel
Share Us
I shook my head. “Never. You’re stuck with me forever.”
He squeezed me. “Good. You know, I’ve been thinking a lot aboutforevermyself.”
The tone of his voice had me leaning back so I could see him. Could he really mean…?
Bryce dug into his pocket, and my breath caught in my throat. He moved from the couch and knelt in front of me on the floor. His dark eyes never left mine as he spoke. “Krystal Marie Daughtry,” he started.
My heart skipped as he said my full name with such tenderness.
“When you left fifteen years ago, I tried to move on with my life. In some ways, I did. But without my best friend, there was always something missing–as much as I tried to deny it. When you came back, I tried so hard to fight my feelings.” He chuckled. “It was no use. When it comes to you, my heart is helplessly locked in. Krys, I want you to know that I will never ask you to give up your dreams for me. You understand that being a firefighter is more than a job to me–it’s a calling, and I know you’ll always support me in that.”
He opened the ring box and revealed a silver ring, diamonds glittering gold in the low light. I brushed at the tears running down my face caused by his sweet words.
“We have both carried our dreams alone for a long time. God is showing me that dreams are better when they are shared with your best friend and partner. Will you marry me, so we can dream together–forever?”
My smile was so wide, I felt like my cheeks would crack. I struggled to find words through the tears, so I nodded excitedly.
Bryce slipped the ring on my finger and his hands came to my face. “Yes?” he said.
I laughed. “Yes. Of course. A thousand times yes. Forever,” I said as I kept nodding.
Then his lips were on mine, and we sealed the promise. Bryce shifted to a spot next to me on the couch and kissed me until I nearly melted.
He pulled back, gentling the kiss before pulling away. My eyes flickered open, stunned.
“I love you so much,” he whispered, brushing a piece of hair from my temple.
How could I express the way I felt with mere words?
I couldn’t imagine life without him. I wanted to wake up with him every day and kiss him good night each evening. I wanted to make his lunch and make him a father. He made me feel adored and treasured and important and respected. Somehow, all of those emotions simply folded into my response.
“I love you, too.” The words felt inadequate, so I expanded. “You make me so happy,” I said before kissing him again.
When we came up for air, he grabbed my hand. “We’re getting married,” he said with wonder in his voice.
I grinned and studied the ring on my left hand. “We really are,” I said. “Soon,” I added with a playful smile at him.
He pulled me against him in a hug and chuckled. “Definitely soon. Maybe you needA Firefighter for Christmas. A real one.”
I groaned at his joke and tried to pull away. Instead, he held me tighter, and I gave up, nestling into his shoulder. “Yeah, I think I do,” I agreed. I couldn’t imagine a better Christmas present, actually.
