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“Tell me you love me,” I plead.
“Baby—I’mshowin’you right now.”
His next thrust earns him a moan, and I sing for him until I see a new set of stars.
They’d eaten dinner and then, as Lawson had promised, watched a movie together. When it was time to get ready for bed, Evie wanteddaddyto read her a bedtime story. A small part of Nora was jealous at the request. Evie wanted Nora at her bedside, reading her stories and singing her to sleep, more nights than she could count. Now that she had options, Nora didn’t know what to think of the fact that her daughter had so quickly chosen another. But as Nora stood out of sight at the door and listened to Lawson’s voice lull her little girl to sleep, her jealousy yielded to something far greater.
It was all happening so fast. Sometimes she wondered if it was real, or if she was taking the slow route through a really long dream. Then again, that was Lawson. When he was committed to something, he gave it his all. She knew that better than anyone. She’dlivedthrough it and been on the receiving end of it. But this was different. It was better. Committing to her was one thing. Committing to her daughter waseverything. She couldn’t put into words what it meant for her man to claim her child as his.
After a few minutes, Nora pushed herself away from the wall on which she had propped herself and quietly made her way to her bedroom. When she stepped inside and saw a couple of Lawson’s suitcases and just as many boxes, she realized it wastheirbedroom now. She’d make room for all his things and unpack in the morning. Looking around at the place she’d called home for the last four years—the place she thought she’d call home for the foreseeable future—it was strange to see it astemporary; but she knew Lawson wanted more. Admittedly, much as she appreciated the roof over her head, she couldn’t deny the excitement she felt knowingmorewas now possible.
Early as it was, Nora felt like shedding the outfit she’d worn all day and slipping into her bed clothes. Once she’d discarded what she was wearing and replaced it with a sleep shirt, she went to the bathroom to wash her face. While she waited for the water to warm, she pulled her hair up into a thick, messy knot. She then took her time, lathering her skin before rinsing it clean. She was in the process of drying her face when Lawson entered the room. She felt him before she saw him, his body warm and strong at her back.
Lowering her towel away from her face, she sought out his gaze in their reflection. She was going to ask how Evie had gone down when he placed a little black box in front of her. He then caged her between the sink and himself, his hands propped on the counter as he leaned into her. The sight of the box left her speechless, and she clutched her towel against her chest as her eyes shifted from it to him then back at it.
This couldn’t be happening.
“Lawson…”
It was the only thing she could think to say. Fortunately, he had a response at the ready.
“After sixteen years of lovin’ you, I think all there is to say is this is long overdue.”
Nora’s eyes grew wide as she choked out a dry laugh, “Long overdue? Babe, we’ve been back together for two weeks. Gosh, has it even been that long? You just moved in this afternoon. This…this is crazy.”
“You don’t mean that,” he muttered, pressing a kiss against the side of her neck. He then touched his stubbled cheek against hers as he went on to say, “It’s always been you, songbird. You’re the only woman I’ve ever wanted. Should have married you soon as I enlisted. When I didn’t, I should have given you this ring as soon as I got it. Been holdin’ on to it for the last five years. Honestly—I’ve made too many mistakes, and there’s no sense inrehasin’ them now. The point is, that belongs to you, and you belong to me.”
Five years, she thought. Five years meant he’d come home after their split with the intention of marrying her. Then he found out about Evie and changed his mind. She closed her eyes and pushed aside that thought. He was right. Mistakes had been made by both of them; but they’d made peace with the past, and they’d already decided their future would betogether. Still, an engagement ring already?
Nora opened her eyes and caught his in their reflection as she said, “It all seems to be happening so fast. It’s like I can barely catch my breath. And Evie—”
“Evelyn is why I want to do this now. You said it yourself; I’ve been comin’ around for two weeks. In that short amount of time, she saw what I mean to you, what you mean to me—what thisfamilymeans to me. In her mind, it’s simple and easy because it feels right.
“I made her a promise today, a promise I intend to keep. And I’ve got more than a few promises to make good on with you. Open the box, baby, and say yes.”
Carefully, Nora-Jean set aside her towel and reached for the velvet box, but she didn’t open it. She felt the weight of it in her hands. He was right, of course. Her heart belonged to him, and it always had. She never wanted anyone the way she wanted Lawson. Yet, even after all these years, she was still stunned in the moment.
It was strange. Hours before, her friends were taking bets on when Lawson would propose, and now it was happening. Well—it was sort of happening.
Nora turned to face him, clutching the ring box in both hands as she looked up into his eyes. “I’ve waited a long time for this. Truthfully, I gave up believin’ it would happen a long time ago.” She saw as Lawson opened his mouth to speak, but she wasquick to cut him off. “But now that it is, I think you owe it to me to at least ask me properly.”
Lawson smiled, dipped his chin to his chest, and breathed a quiet laugh. He then lifted his head, met her eyes and murmured, “Al’right.”
Plucking the ring from her grasp, he got down on one knee. He finally opened the box, revealing a gorgeous teal-sapphire, oval solitaire ring. It had three small diamonds along the band on each side of the gem. The greenish hue reminded her of her eyes. He always did love her eyes.
The ring was as perfect as the man who looked up at her and asked, “Nora-Jean Barton, love of my life, will you marry me?”
She knew it was coming, and yet it still made her heart leap. Clapping her hands against her cheeks, she grinned and nodded as she replied, “Yes. Of course, I will.”
Lawson reached for her hand, and she offered it to him. She watched him slip the ring onto her finger, relishing the feel of the cool, gold metal against her skin. As soon as Lawson stood to his feet, she took hold of his face and drew him to her for a kiss. Not that he needed prompting.
It wasn’t long before their heartfelt, celebratory kiss turned into something much more. They straddled the line between desperation and desire as they quickly removed each other’s clothing whilst moving toward the bed. It wasn’t until they were underneath the sheets, his body joined with hers, that they paused for breath.
“I love you,” declared Lawson, resting his forehead against hers.
Nora forced her hips up, silently begging for more as she breathed, “Show me.”
And so he did.
