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“Because things are good in our bubble.”
My brows bunch. “Our bubble?”
“I didn’t know if you wanted this to be forever. Yes, we’ve said ‘I love you,’ and yes, we’re legally married, but does that mean we’re endgame?”
The corner of my mouth kicks up.
“What? Why are you giving me your sexy half-smile?”
I simply chuckle, tugging her against my chest.
“Shane, this isn’t funny.”
“Of course it is,” I say before pulling back to catch her gaze. “You thinking that I wouldn’t want you with me every second of every day for the rest of my life is laughable.”
So much so that I asked for her mother’s blessing shortly after returning from Nantucket. I just haven’t asked Willow to re-marry me because I’ve been trying to come up with the perfect proposal.
So far, every one of my ideas has fallen short.
Nothing I’ve come up with seems grand enough, worthy of what Willow means to me.
A low chuckle escapes me as realization dawns.
Hasn’t our relationship flourished in the small moments? Kitchen confessions and tucked-away glances. Wordless caring and lingering touches.
Nothing about our relationship has been loud or showy. We’ve fallen in love during the everyday moments.
Suddenly, an impromptu beach proposal feels more perfect than anything I could have planned.
“I want forever with you.”
Willow blinks, her mouth falling open on a shaky exhale.
“You were the curveball I never saw coming. I couldn’t imagine a future where I could have…where someone like you…” My hands grip her waist, reminding myself that this is real—she’s real. “I just want you. Every day, in every situation. Whether it be at a crowded party or quietly watching you paint at home. I just want to breathe your air, to have the privilege of being next to you.”
Willow’s fingertips tremble as they slide up my arms to twine around my neck.
“I want you to tease me and encourage me to be a better man. And more than anything, I want you to help me plan a wedding where everyone we care about can watch us take real vows, knowing that I’m probably going to grumble over planning details along the way.”
Her eyes mist as she laughs. “I’d love nothing more.”
My wild smile feels like it has its own life force before I remember one important detail. If we’re starting from scratch…
“Wait.” I step back to drop to one knee.
My beautiful wife laughs again. “Shane, you don’t have to—”
“The heck I don’t. Let me do this properly this time.”
Willow bites her smiling lip at my grouchy tone.
I gather both her hands in mine. “Willow, would you do me the immense honor of being my wife? Will you marry me again?”
“Yes! Of course.”
I surge to standing, swinging Willow in a circle.
Her joyful laughter is suddenly overshadowed by Delilah’s squealing. Piper is on Adam’s hip, deep in the water, but Delilah has her phone directed at us.
