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Taking her hand, I lead her up the steps, the snow starting to fall in earnest around us. Snow still remains on the ground from the storm last week, adding to the beauty of this moment.
As we step inside the gazebo, I twirl her around, then pull her to me. Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas” is playing as I begin swaying and twirling her to the beat of the music. She is radiant as we glide across the small floor, magic in the air.
The song stops and there’s a brief pause in the music.
I hold her tightly in my arms as I gaze into her soulful eyes. The ones I intend to look into for the rest of my life.
“I had a dream when you were in captivity. And the song that was playing stuck in my head because the moment was so perfect. So tonight, I’m deviating from Christmas music for a minute to dance with you to it.”
As soon as I finish speaking, the opening notes for “Hanging By a Moment” by Lifehouse begin to play.
Her eyes water as I dance with her, spinning her around, pulling her close, then picking her up and swinging her off her feet, all the while singing the song to her.
There is a lightness in our limbs as we move. I feel weightless as I spin her around the gazebo. Heat radiates through my chest from the intense jubilation in my heart and I’m simply breathless by her glowing skin, elated smile, and angelic laughter that floats around me on this magical night.
We dance as though we are the only two people in the world right now, and as the final notes of the song play, I drop to one knee in front of her, pulling the small, velvet box from my jacket pocket.
She looks from me to the box, her face flushed with elation. Her smile is wider than I’ve ever seen it as I pop open the lid, displaying the brilliant princess cut ring. A two-carat diamond is in the center, flanked by two smaller sapphire princess-cut stones. Small diamonds and sapphires line the sides of it.
“Oh my God.” Tears flow down her face as she looks from the ring to me, taking in my beaming smile and twinkling eyes.
“Irelynn Rose. I’ve wanted to do this since the moment I got you back, but I didn’t feel the timing was quite right. And then we had two maniacs kidnap our friends and put us in danger again. And then you go and take a bullet for me.” I pretend to glower at her and she giggles. I wink at her before turning serious again. Gripping her hand, pulling the glove from it. “From the moment we met, and I looked into your beautiful brown eyes, I felt something go through me. Something I’ve never felt before. Electric tingles lit up my skin and made my body come to life, my skin humming. The shattered pieces of my heart that were broken inside my chest made me bleed until I finally stopped feeling. But after meeting you, they began fusing together, the sharp edges turning smooth, and not only did I feel again, but I fell deeply in love. More in love than I ever thought possible.” My voice cracks and I pause, clearing my throat. “I had no idea I could feel so damn much until you. Every look and every touch felt familiar, though I’d never met you before. You felt like you were made for me. The more time we spent together, I began to believe that we belong together.”
A tear slips down her face as she nods, understanding shining from her eyes.
“You felt like home the first time I put my lips on yours. I started living to see your smile, to feel you on my skin. I couldn’t sleep when you weren’t beside me. For the first time in my life, I tasted pure happiness and I was addicted. To you.”
My other hand takes the ring from the box. Tears are coursing down her face.
But she’s not looking at the ring. She’s staring at me.
“You’ve healed me, Irelynn. Your love has fused my broken pieces back together, making me feel whole for the first time in my life. And every time I look into your eyes, I see my future. I see the woman I want to fall asleep beside me every night and wake up to every single morning. I see the smile that I want to cover my skin, warming up my darkness with your light, soaking me in happiness. And I want to see your beautiful eyes that glow with love and devotion, every single day.” My gaze drops to her mouth. “I want your beautiful lips that taste like the sweetest strawberries, kissing me every single day for the rest of our lives.” I pause, a lump of pure happiness in my throat as I soak in her ethereal light. “In short, I want you, every single bit of you, for the rest of my life. Irelynn Rose, will you marry me?”
I barely finish speaking before she’s screaming, “Yes, I will.” Then she falls into my arms, nearly knocking me backward.
Laughing, I put my hand behind me to steady us. As she sobs against my neck, I push off my hand, wrapping my arms around her as I stand.
The ring is still in my hand as I hold her in my arms, tears flowing from my eyes.
“A million times yes, Max. I can’t wait to marry you and spend the rest of our lives together.”.
After a few beats, I slowly lower her to her feet. Her fingers lift to my face, wiping away my tears. Taking her hand, I slide the ring over her finger. She looks down, admiring it, then back to my face.
I lift her in the air, twirling her around, as our friends and family come running up the steps of the gazebo, cheering and hollering, enveloping us with their love and joy. When I set her on her feet, Jack, Darin, William, and Irelynn’s grandfather surround me, shaking my hand and clapping me on the back, offering their heartfelt congratulations.
As I look over at her, Vanessa, Rosalynn, Emma, and Irelynn’s grandmother, Lucinda, are hugging her, jumping up and down, and crying.
I look at William. “You brought Emma?” My smile is wide.
“Of course. I know how much she and Irelynn love one another. It felt… right.”
“Good instincts, Will. I can’t believe I didn’t think of it.”
He pats my shoulder. “I’ve got your back.”
Nodding, I grab him, giving him a hug. “Yes, you do. Thanks a million.”
Irelynn makes her way over to me. I feel her presence before I smell her apple cinnamon scent. As Will and I pull apart, she looks at us, then at William. “Thank you for bringing Emma. Can I have a hug, too?”
