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Mark was content with his work at Morrison Brothers Construction, but I could easily see him creating custom furniture on the side.
“Did you see the pictures on the wall?” Mark asked, his tone filled with excitement.
There were framed pictures of me and my sisters, my dad, and even a few of Mark and me when we were younger. My eyes pricked with tears. “I love these.”
“I wanted you to have a relaxing space that was all yours.” His voice was concerned, as if he were worried I wouldn’t like what he’d done.
I looked around the upgraded room, feeling more professional already. Less like an imposter and more like a confident businesswoman. I turned to him, placing my hands in his chest. “I love it. Thank you.”
“I’ve wanted to do this for you since the first time you brought me in here to show me the dog-eared picture of the storage shelves you wanted.”
I smiled at the memory. “I can’t believe it made that much of an impression on you.”
Mark rested his forehead on mine. “It was pretty bad, especially when you compared it to the front counter area and the kitchen.”
“I thought it wouldn’t make a difference if my shelves or my office were nice, but it does.” The custom shelves made it easier to organize my supplies, and it took less time to gather everything I needed in the morning. Plus, I felt amazing when I looked at it.
“It’s time you came first, Sophie.”
“Hmm.” My heart soared, because that’s what I’d always wanted. I just didn’t realize that it had to start with me. I needed to start putting myself first, or no one else would.
Mark pulled back slightly, his hand cupping my face before he slowly sank to one knee.
I sucked in a breath, my heart tripping over itself.
He took my hand in both of his. “Sophie, I’ve loved you since we were kids. You challenge me to be a better person. You taught me what love and family are. I’m complete when I’m with you.”
He drew in a steadying breath, his eyes filled with emotion. “I will always put you first. I want to be the one who gives you everything you’ve ever wanted.”
“I only want you.” As I stared into his familiar brown eyes, everything was clear. I loved Mark. I wanted to build a family with him. I wanted everything with him.
“I’m not going anywhere, and I’m going to prove it to you for the rest of our lives. Annapolis is our home.”
“I love you.”
“I’m not done yet.” He smiled, his nerves seemingly dissipating. Holding on to my hand with his, he reached into his back pocket with his free hand to pull out a velvet box.
My heart thudded heavily in my chest. I wanted to slow this moment down and replay it again and again.
Mark looked up at me with so much love and affection in his voice, my heart clenched. “Sophie, will you marry me?”
My eyes filled with tears as I sank to my knees, cupping his face in my hands. “Yes.”
He kissed me, and I was surrounded by him—his presence, his warmth, and his love.
I’d imagined this moment many times when I was younger, and nothing compared to it. Because we were older, more mature, and we knew exactly what we wanted. We were no longer boats floating in the water without an oar. We were captains of our own ships. I knew I needed to grab on to Mark with both hands and never let go.
Mark drew back, gliding the ring onto my finger. “I love seeing my ring on your finger.”
Tears slid down my cheeks.
He wiped them away. “Are you happy?”
“So happy. I can’t even express how much.” My heart was overflowing with it.
He smiled. “You’re stuck with me for the rest of your life.”
“There’s no other place I’d rather be.”
