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I eye all her brothers one by one, almost as if asking for permission. No one gives me an out. I finish on Lachlan, whose smile's unchanged. He nods his head with as much enthusiasm as his seven-year-old body can muster.
Then I give all my attention to the girl in front of me.
Lucy.
She must've been following my gaze because her head slowly turns from her brothers behind her to me.
Eyes narrowed, she asks, "What's going on?"
Her gaze searches me from head to toe, and then back up again. But she doesn't get all the way up—her eyes fixate on what I'm holding. They widen. As if in slow motion, her hand comes up to cover her mouth.
I suck in a breath.
Let it out in a whoosh.
And then it happens.
I drop down on one knee. "Lucy..."
She squeals something similar to a yes before I even get a chance to ask. Lunging forward, she throws her arms around my neck—the power of her push so strong that I have to catch myself with my outstretched arm.
She's crying, and laughing.
And so am I.
"Did he even ask her?" Lachlan says.
Tom shakes his head. "I don't think there was ever really a question."
***
"I can't believe I'm wearing my mom's ring. It's so surreal."
I glance at her quickly while I drive us to Mark and Mom's house. "So I need you to do something for me."
"Anything," she says, distracted by the giant rock on her finger.
"I didn't tell them what I was planning. I was hoping for it to be a surprise."
"Okay?"
I smile. "So let's mess with Mom a little."
*
Mom opens the door and grins from ear to ear. "An unexpected visit from the prodigal son," she muses. "Come in."
"Do you have any aspirin?" Lucy asks, before stepping inside. She rubs her forehead with her left hand. "I have this giant headache that won't go away."
"Sure." Mom looks at her like moms are supposed to; concerned. But she doesn't notice the ring on her finger.
"Yeah," Lucy feigns, "and there's this ache in my chest, too." She rubs her chest with her hand.
"Oh, sweetheart," Mom coos. "Is Cameron taking care of you?"
"Uh huh." She nods and over exaggerates a yawn, covering her mouth. "I'm just tired all the time."
Still... nothing.
A frown pulls on Mom's lips as she leads us to the kitchen. We sit at the island counter while Mom busies herself with the unneeded aspirin. Lucy takes it anyway, along with the glass of water Mom set down in front of her. She turns to her side while she drinks, just so Mom has a better view of the ring.
"You look a little pale, sweetie."
Lucy's chokes on her laugh.
I shake my head at both of them. "So Mom, I tried calling Mark before we got here but his phone was engaged."
"He should be on his way home now. He had to go into the dealership real quick. I've been trying to get him to take weekends off but he won't listen." She pauses for a beat. "What's that noise?" she asks.
Lucy's clanking the ring against her glass.
"I must have a coin in the dryer, I'll be back."
We wait until she leaves the room before bursting out laughing. "How does she not see it?" Lucy asks in disbelief.
"I have no idea."
"Hey," she says, serious all of a sudden. "You didn't tell your mom?" She raises her hand and cups the side of my face. "What if she doesn't like me? Or likes me but doesn't want you to marry me?" She pouts. "What if she wants grandchil—"
"Dylan!" I snap.
She clamps her mouth shut and drops her gaze.
"Don't ever bring that up again, Luce." I pull on her legs until she swivels in her seat and her entire body is facing me. "Don't ever question the way my mom feels for you. She loves you as much as I do."
Her eyes lift to mine, before she leans up and kisses me. Soft at first, but it quickly turns to something more. Her head tilts to the side as her tongue skims my lips. She opens her mouth, giving me access. I almost forget where we are and why we're here. Almost—until Mom's scream reminds me. We both turn to her, Lucy's hand still cupping my face.
Mom's on her knees, her hands covering her face. Her shoulders lift with each silent sob.
"Are you okay, Ma?" I laugh out. "What happened?"
Lucy swats my chest and gets off her stool. "Heather?"
Mom looks up now, her eyes red and filled with tears.
Mark walks in through the door that leads to the garage. "I heard a scream! What happened?"
Mom cries heavier, waving her hand at us.
Mark sees us for the first time. Then his eyes trail back to Mom. "What happened?" he asks again.
"She—he—they—prop—wed—"
His gaze moves back to us, his brows bunched in confusion. Standing over her, he asks, "Honey, have you been drinking with the girls again?"
She shakes her head frantically. "They—ring—and—" She's gasping for breath, unable to speak.
"Mark," I say, getting his attention.
Lucy wiggles her fingers in front of her face.
His eyes narrow at first, and then they go huge. He mocks a cry, before dropping to his knees next to Mom. He covers his face with both hands and mimics Mom's voice. "They—he—she—ohmuhguuuuhd!"
