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Conner
We took both boats out for the day and had one big birthday bash for Charlotte. She didn’t know that my brothers and the girls were riding back with the others while we spent the night on our boat.
“Fun times.” Christian smiled as he walked over and hooked his arm around me.
“Definitely, bro.” I raised my beer bottle to him.
“What are you two doing?” Jackson asked as he and Nathan walked over.
“Talking about what douchebags you two are.” I grinned.
“Very funny,” Jackson said.
“I need you guys to come with me somewhere on Monday,” Nathan said.
“Where?” I asked.
“To look at engagement rings for Sofia.”
“It’s about damn time.” I placed my hand on his shoulder.
“I know.” He breathed out a laugh. “I feel like such an asshole. I love her so much, and I should have asked her when we found out she was pregnant with Nicholas. There was just a lot going on with Jackson getting married and finding out about Uncle Ian and our cousins. Then there was Charlotte’s accident. I just wanted to wait and ask her when everything calmed down, and I could focus solely on her.
“When are you going to ask her?” Jackson asked.
“Next weekend when we’re in Vegas for the bachelor/bachelorette parties.”
“Excellent!” I grinned. “Perfect time and perfect place.”
“What about Ella?” Christian asked. “Won’t she be upset she won’t be there?”
“I already talked to her about it, and she said she’s okay with it as long as one of you Facetime her so she can watch.”
“I can do that.” I smiled. “I wouldn’t want her to miss out. Come on. Let’s get Charlotte’s cake ready.”
“And I’ll grab your guitar,” Christian said.
I went inside the cabin and lit the candles while the girls had Charlotte sit down. I stepped onto the deck holding the cake with thirty-four lit candles as Christian strummed Happy Birthday on the guitar, and we all sang to her. After she blew out the candles, I took my guitar from Christian and sat across from her.
“I have one more present for you.” I smiled. “I was going to sing this to you at our wedding, but the girls advised against it.”
“Why?” She laughed.
“You’ll see.” Julia smiled at her.
I began strumming the chords and singing, How Long Will I Love You, to her. Uncontrollable tears streamed down her face from the first verse to the last. Setting my guitar down, I helped her from her seat, and hugged her tight.
“I love you, Conner. Thank you.”
“I love you too, babe, and I always will.”
“I would have killed you if you had sung that at our wedding.” She whispered in my ear. “It would have been the shortest marriage in history.”
“I know. That’s what the girls said.” I chuckled as I broke our embrace and kissed her.
* * *
Nathan
