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“I might have had a little help from our friends,” he admits.
“It’s beautiful.”
Before I can ask him what exactly is going on, he sinks to one knee and I let out a shocked gasp. He isn’t doing what I think he’s doing, is he?
“Hollie, I didn’t realize how much I needed you in my life until you showed up in it. I was a lonely, grumpy bastard that had little in life to be happy about. You’ve changed everything. You’ve changed me. I don’t want to live another day without knowing you’re going to be my wife, to be the person I spend the rest of my life with and create a family with. I want babies that look exactly like their momma to keep me in line and fill my life with joy. Even if you say no, I’ll still love you until the day I die. You’re it for me. My one. Will you marry me?”
I’m stunned. I should say yes. I want to say yes. But I can’t seem to move. Archer Clarke, billionaire playboy, wants to marry me? The girl from the wrong side of the tracks? He’s mentioned getting married before like it was a foregone conclusion for us, but I still always had a niggling doubt that it would happen.
My sudden bout of muteness is making him look nervous and his body is shifting a bit on his knee. “Are you going to answer me, angel?”
“Yes!” The word flies out of my mouth and before I realize it, I’m kneeling on the porch as well, covering his face in kisses. “Yes. Yes. Yes. Of course I’ll marry you!”
“Thank God,” he grumbles. Like there was ever a doubt.
There’s the sound of cheers and applause behind me and I turn to see our group of friends gathered, watching the spectacle.
“You’re sure?” I ask quietly so that only he can hear.
The heat in his eyes warms me from the inside out. He says he’ll love me until the day he dies. Well, I’ll love him beyond that. How could I not? He’s perfect, and he’s made all the things I never even dared to dream come true.
“I’ve never been more sure of anything in my entire life. You’re mine, forever.”
“Forever.”
We seal our promise with a soul shattering kiss and somehow I know it will only get better from here.
Extended Epilogue
six years later
archer
“Adam, don’t dump water on your brother.” Adam looks over at me with his eyes that match my own and drops the bucket he was hauling over to his unsuspecting brother, who’s busy in the sand.
“Sorry, daddy!” he yells before running up to Dylan and collapsing into the sand next to his younger brother. I chuckle under my breath. If there’s trouble to be had, Adam will find it.
I’m sitting in the sand on a beach towel in my trunks, watching my two boys finally playing together nicely. Adam’s dark hair and brown eyes show that he’s clearly my child, while Dylan’s light hair and green-gold eyes make him a miniature version of Hollie. We named Adam after my father and it’s days like these that I feel closest to him and my mother.
We’re in Santa Cruz for our annual vacation at The Clarke, Santa Cruz and we’re staying in one of the renovated bungalows, as usual.
The past six years have been the best of my life, but the times we spend here are my favorite. I love relaxing in the sun and sand and watching my children grow. I know from experience that I’m giving them memories that will last a lifetime. If my parents were here today, they would be overjoyed that we’re carrying on this tradition that meant so much to them.
When Adam was one, Hollie suggested we come here for a week to spend time together and frankly, I’m not sure why I hadn’t thought of it myself. Over the years, that week extended to two, and we started sharing the time here with our friends and family. Paige usually comes down and stays with us for at least a few days depending on her schedule and the boys love spending time with their aunt.
I rise from my towel, dusting sand off my ass and head over to the boys, scooping Dylan up into my arms. He squeals and wraps his tiny hands around my neck, and I plop a big wet kiss on his cheek, which makes him laugh harder. At three years old, he’s a happy-go-lucky kid and I hope he stays that way forever.
“Daddy, stop!”
“Come on guys,” I say, grabbing Adam’s hand, “let’s go check out the waves.”
“Yay!” Adam pulls his hand out of mine and takes off towards where the waves are crashing against the sand. I let him go since I’m only steps behind him and he knows not to get in past his knees. He’s five and fearless.
We spend the next twenty minutes playing in the waves, splashing each other and lifting them into my arms when a larger wave comes in, threatening to knock them both over. I treasure this time with them.
Over the past five years, I’ve slowed down with my responsibilities at work. I’m still the CEO and I’m proud of everything that we do. I’ve just gotten exponentially better at delegating. As Hollie always likes to remind me, I have a great team and I should let them do their jobs. They’ve done nothing but prove her right time and time again. I even work from home a few days a week now.
“Guys! I’m back!” My head turns and my eyes settle on the love of my life. Hollie’s approaching the bungalow with several shopping bags in her hands. Her hair falls around her shoulders in curls and her loose-fitting dress catches in the gentle breeze. The light material molds around her protruding stomach, showing off the medium-sized bump that contains our daughter.
