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He came back for me. He’s promising to stay. And that ring… It’s about as permanent a promise as he can make.
This is forever.
“You want to marry me,” I say slowly, unable to keep the smile from my face. “That’s crazy.”
“Aye,” Fraser grins back at me, reaching to brush some hair from my forehead. “But since you seem to have some questions about just how committed I am…"
“It’s been one week!” I protest. “And half those days don’t count because I hated your guts.”
“It’s been ten years,” Fraser corrects me gently. “And I’ve never stopped loving you, Jolene.”
Oh boy.
I swallow hard, feeling overwhelmed with joy. “Show me the ring again,” I ask, too curious to resist.
He laughs and opens the ring box. A gorgeous diamond band rests on the velvet, with a single perfect solitaire in the center.
I swoon.
“It’s gorgeous…” I breathe.
“It belonged to my grandmother,” Fraser explains. “I got it from my mum, before… Well, before she passed.”
“You were going to ask me, back then?” I ask, stunned, unable to keep my eyes off it.
“Aye. It was always you,mo chridhe,” Fraser says softly, and when I finally drag my gaze away from the ring, I find he’s looking deeply into my eyes. “I love you, Jolene. It’ll always be you.”
I feel a lump in my throat. “I love you too,” I whisper, as Fraser leans in for a tender, perfect kiss. “That’s why I need to take this slow. To build it right this time, so we last.”
He nods. “I’m not going anywhere, baby. I’ll do whatever it takes to earn your trust again. To make you believe this is forever.”
I pick the ring out of the box and slide it on my finger.
My ring finger.
Fraser frowns. “But you said—”
“I didn’t say ‘Yes,’” I tell him quickly. “I’m just… Wearing it, that’s all.”
“Is that right?” Fraser smirks, pulling me into his arms.
“I like the way it looks.” I hold out my hand, admiring the sparkle.
“I do too.” He kisses my neck. “It tells the world that you’re mine.”
“Well, I have to stake my claim somehow,” I tease him, so full of happiness, I swear I could burst. “Otherwise, how will everyone know this hot Scotsman is taken?”
“By the fact I can’t keep my eyes off you? Or my hands…” he suggests, sliding them around my waist. I sink against him, holding on tight. Exactly where I belong.
Finally home.
I kiss him, and it feels like the first time all over again—but better. Because we’re not jumping blindly, the way we did back then, led by hormones and hope. We know exactly what it’ll take to make this love last forever. And I know we will.
This time around, I’m never letting go.
I surface for air, practically giddy. “I can’t believe you’re wearing breeches for me,” I admire them, smiling.
Fraser grins back. “And I can’t believe how comfortable they are. A challenge to get on though…”
