“That’s because I’d already bought it, sweetheart. Hearing the way you said you’d always loved that house . . . well it wasn’t hard to know that you’d want to check into it once we’d actually started looking.”

She crushed her mouth to mine, and repeatedly said, “Thank you,” over and over as I slipped the chain over her head.

Grabbing the box, I pulled it out of the cushion and slowly worked it open with one hand as I spoke against her lips. “Besides, didn’t you always say it had a perfect backyard for a wedding? And I want an actual house for when I carry you over the threshold as my wife, and when we have children.”

Maci sat up straight, her gray eyes were wide, and it looked like she was holding her breath.

Once I had the ring between my fingers, I grabbed her left hand and slowly slid it on her ring finger. “Maci Price . . . will you marry me?”

Tears filled her eyes before slowly falling over and down her cheeks. She just sat there on my lap staring at the diamond on her hand before she grabbed my head and fused our mouths together.

“Is that a yes?” I asked when she dropped her head as she cried, and smiled before pressing a soft kiss to her forehead when she just nodded. “I need to hear you say it.”

When she looked back up, her eyes were bright with tears, and the most beautiful smile was lighting up her face. “Yes, Connor, I’ll marry you.” She kissed me again. “And move into that house with you, get married in the backyard, and have kids with you. Yes to all of it. I want it, everything,” she cried softly before kissing me harder.

Cupping her face, I pulled back to look in her eyes. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

“Does this mean we can start planning the wedding?” A harsh whisper came from behind me, and I rolled my eyes as Maci’s head jerked up.

“Yes, Amber, it means we can start planning the wedding now,” I answered monotone, but winked at Maci.

“Wait! She knew? And you didn’t tell me? You bitch!”

I just shrugged as Amber bounced over to us and grabbed Maci’s left hand. “I needed help picking your ring out.”

“Does this mean you already asked her?” a new voice asked behind me.

Maci looked up again as her parents came in the room and she slapped her hands down on my chest. “For f**king real. Did everyone know?”

I smiled as her brothers and sisters-in-law all came out of hiding and confirmed her question. “You mad at me, baby?”

“Yeah, I totally am! I can’t believe they all knew before—”

I pulled her to me, and silenced her with my mouth. “No you’re not,” I whispered and deepened the kiss.

She melted against my chest and smiled lazily. “You’re right. I don’t think I’ve ever been happier.”

“So you sure you’re ready for all this?”

“I’m ready,” she whispered and dragged her lips across my jaw. “I want everything with you.”

I couldn’t agree more. I wanted everything . . . and as long as it was with this girl in my lap, I was ready for it all.

The End