Page 87 of Life or Death

Ryan seized her hand and pulled her out of the room and into the empty den, shutting the door behind him.

“Ry?” Claire inclined her head. “Is everything okay?”

“You tell me,” he replied.

With that, he dropped to one knee and pulled a small square velvet box out of his pocket.

“It seems like I’ve waited forever for this moment,” he began. “I even prepared a speech for it—me of all people.” His gaze locked with Claire’s as she stared, a fine mist of tears dampening her eyes. “What we have is incredible, Claire. But it’s no longer enough. I want it all. I want you in every way there is. Emotionally, physically, legally. You’re my other half, and I love you. You’ve changed me forever, and I never want to go back.” He drew in a shaky breath. “I can’t believe this is me, but it is. It’s what you helped me become. Please, let’s make it official—marriage, kids, maybe a house in the suburbs. Whatever you want.”

He snapped open the box, and a moonstone with shades of blues and browns subtly blended in with the creamy ivory color, the entire ring surrounded by tiny diamonds glistening back at them. Claire gasped, her hand covering her mouth.

“The moonstone symbolizes feminine energy, intuition, and emotional balance, not to mention being linked to love, nurturing, and enhanced psychic abilities,” Ryan continued. “What could be more perfect for you? And it’s the stone for new beginnings—that’s us. Marry me, Claire. Share your life with me. Please.”

Ryan reached for her left hand, watching, waiting.

Claire took a deep breath and swallowed her tears. “I love you, Ryan. I have no speech to offer. So I’ll just say yes. Yes to everything you just said. Yes to all you want. Yes.”

“Thank God,” Ryan murmured, sliding the ring on her finger, then rising to take her in his arms, kissing her with tenderness and awe.

Claire kissed him back. “I can’t believe this is for real,” she said.

“Believe it. Because it is. Do you think you can handle being an official part of the overwhelming McKay clan?”

Claire’s eyes sparkled. “With pleasure.”

He drew back, a triumphant Ryan-like grin on his face. “Good. Then let’s go out there and make my mom’s day.”