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I nodded and asked, "This is a pregnancy test?"
"The line means it's positive. I took it when I got up." Ariel grinned and threw her arms around me. "I'm still in shock. I'd hope I'd get pregnant someday… But, Guy, this is a tiny miracle I'm carrying."
I kissed her deeply, knowing we could do anything as long as we were together. "How are you feeling? I mean, you're not in pain, are you? You need to make an appointment with the doctor, sweetheart. Let's not blow this second chance we've been given."
Ariel kissed my cheek. "Do I look like I'm in pain?"
"No, you look beautiful!"
"I'm still starving. Can we eat now! After breakfast, I'll call for an appointment, but I'm not sure who to use."
"I'll call Daniel and Ryder and ask for suggestions, okay?" I asked hesitantly.
"Oh, no! I'll call Mom to get a recommendation from her doctor for someone in San Diego. I don't want the others to know yet… just in case something goes wrong," Ariel explained, kissing my cheek.
"What about Meagan? Do you think it's alright to tell her? I mean, she is my sister, your best friend, and the auntie of our child."
"Auntie Meagan!" Ariel cried out, and then her eyes teared up. "She's going to love that! Yes, we need to tell her sooooon. There is no way we could hide it from her anyway."
I chuckled and nodded, pleased with myself for planning ahead. I had hoped to ask Ariel to marry me next week on her birthday, but now I was having second thoughts about the timing. This was the perfect opportunity to pop the question, right?
Ariel watched me intently, and she must have seen the change in my expression. "What's wrong?"
I embraced her tightly and shook my head. "Don't worry, love. I just forgot to send an email to Chase. I'll be quick." Then, working hard not to smile too broadly, I started for my office.
"Oh, before I forget," Ariel called out as I turned back around. "I almost did forget to tell you… I love you."
"I love you too, more than anything in this world,” I said over my shoulder and headed to my desk. Digging in the drawer for the velvet box, I grabbed the ring. When I returned to the kitchen, Ariel was busy tidying up from breakfast. My mind raced as I tried to think of a more innovative way to propose, but unfortunately, I came up with nothing.
Finally, I walked over and tapped her on the shoulder. "Ariel."
"Hmm?" Ariel replied, not looking up from the sink.
I turned her around to face me and got down on one knee. Then, opening the velvet box, I presented the ring to her. "Ariel McMasters, the love of my life and the mother of my baby, will you marry me?"
Tears immediately welled up in Ariel's eyes, and she nodded vigorously as she pulled me with wet hands into a hug. "Yes! Yes, I'll marry you, Guy Jackson!" After gaining a bit of composure, I plucked the ring from the velvet box and slid it on her finger. "It fits perfectly."
"I'm so in love with you," I admitted, unable to contain my giddiness.
"Oh, Guy, it's absolutely massive. And there are five different stones...."
Taking her hand, I pointed to the small diamonds surrounding the center stone. "These are from your grandmother's wedding ring. Dorothy wanted you to have them, so we thought it would be special to add them to your engagement ring."
Ariel was so surprised that she gasped and covered her mouth with her hand. "Those were Nana Hudson's. She left them for Mom in her will.”
"The bigger diamond in the middle is from me," I said, nodding my head. "I got it cut to look like the others."
"I absolutely love it, Guy. Nana was amazing. Mom says I take after her a lot. She loved to write poems. But most of all, the diamond you picked out is so… sooo… amazing."
"I'm sorry I didn't have a more romantic speech ready. I was actually going to propose to you next week on your birthday. But with the wonderful news that our family will soon be a family of three, I decided to go for it today."
Ariel stared into my eyes, and hers welled up with tears. "I apologize, too, for just blurting it out... and not telling you I suspected I might be pregnant before today," she whispered. "My first clue was I was so tired, so yesterday I decided to buy a pregnancy test. This morning when I woke up, I still felt exhausted, so I took the test... and..."
I gently brushed my thumb across her face to wipe away a tear. "I'm glad it happened this way." Ariel nodded and smiled.
Suddenly Ariel lurched out of my arm, pointing out the window. "There's Meagan! She just finished her riding lesson. I can't wait to show her my ring..." Chuckling to myself, I dashed after my bride-to-be. In an instant, Ariel was out the door and down the steps hurrying toward the barn, yelling, "Meagan, Meagan…. You won't believe…."
Epilogue
