AllFreeNovel
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“With champagne?”
“I could do sparkling water, but it just doesn’t have the same kick. Hold these.”
I passed her the flutes, popped open the bottle, and filled the glasses.
“We should drink to something.” She lifted her glass higher.
“How about to health and me having better taste in rings?”
She squinted. “What do you mean?”
“You didn’t like the ring at the store.”
“I did. It was beautiful.”
“But you were disappointed.”
“Not because I didn’t like the ring.”
“Then what is it?”
“I… I thought you were buying the ring, and I had this idea that maybe you would propose, and you didn’t—not that I expected you to propose because it should be a surprise. Forty-eight percent of partners don’t plan anything, and since you’re a planner, I thought—”
“You thought I would propose at the ring store?”
“Well, that wouldn’t have been romantic, would it?” Her chin dipped and I gave Kensi a nod. She returned to the blanket and sat down beside Laura.
“Are you sad, Mommy?”
“No, I’m not, baby girl. I’m so happy to have you here, and Laila and Foxy and daddy. It’s a beautiful day.”
“Would this make you happy?” She lowered her hand inside her dress pocket and removed a diamond ring.
Laura shot up to her feet.
“Kensi, where did you get that? We were supposed to leave it at the store. James—”
She turned around and froze when she saw me kneeling in front of her. “We weren’t supposed to leave it at the store.” I grinned, and Kensi placed the ring in my palm. “Because I didn’t think asking you to marry me at the store was special enough.”
Laura covered her mouth with both her hands as tears streamed down her face.
“Laila, Foxy, come over here,” I called out, and the kids joined me in front of Laura on the blanket. “What do you say, Mommy Laura? Will you make me the happiest man in the world and marry me? Will you be my wife?”
“Say yes, Mommy. Say yes!”
Laila and Foxy joined Kensi in clapping, and Laura stuck out her hand, sobbing. “Yes, I’ll marry you.”
I slid the ring I’d bought last week on her finger and lifted. She moved her hand in the sunlight then threw her arms around my neck. I kissed her hard on the lips and leaned my forehead against hers.
“Are you ready to marry me today?” My lips buzzed over her mouth.
“What?” She pulled back. “Today? Don’t we have to plan things? Like make a guest list, order a cake, book a venue, food. James we need time to—”
“Why waste another day?” I said. “Besides, everyone we want is already here, and we have a beautiful venue, food, music, and cake.” I pointed to the deck at the back of our house. Our families waved, cheering.
“My brother Gabe flew in from Austria with his wife and newborn.”
“Wait a minute… you planned a proposal and a wedding?”
