“Really?”
He nodded.
“I think I would reallylike that. Why did you take a leave from your job?”
“I had somewhere importantto be.” He reached up and moved his finger down her cheek. “Someoneto be with.”
“Are you sure?” She felther eyes water.
“Positive.” He looked pasther. “How hard was this?’ He meant cleaning out and selling thehouse.
“It wasn’t that bad. Ithought I might have some regrets, but I have none. I didn’t have afamily. Certainly not like the one you had.”
“You will.”
She tilted her head inconfusion.
“I meant,” he saidseriously, “Once we get married and start our own family,you will knowthat type of love.”
Her jaw fell.
He chucked her under thechin to get her to close her mouth. “You’re gapingdarling.”
“D-do you meanthat?”
“I never say anything Idon’t mean.” He reached into the pocket of his suit jacket andproduced a black velvet box.
Tears spilled from her eyesas he opened it and inside was a stunning diamond.
She gasped.
“Do you likeit?”
Her eyes went to his andsaw that his brow furrowed. If she didn’t know better it was as ifhe was worried that she’d turn him down. Well, that never evencrossed her mind. “Are you kidding? It’s so beautiful.” She couldbarely get the words out. In fact she wasn’t sure if he’d evenheard her.
He removed the ring andtossed the box over his shoulder. “So is that a ‘yes’?”
She nodded as more tearsfell.
He lifted her hand andplaced the ring on her finger. Then he pulled her into his embraceand kissed her. “I promise you, that I’ll give you the best ofeverything. I also swear that I’ll never let anything hurt youagain.”
“If I’m with you, nothingever will. Oh, I’m so happy!” she jumped into his arms and kissedhim.
He returned her kissaggressively. Then he released her again. “Look. I know you want tofinish school, so we’ll plan a wedding for after that. If you stillwant to move away from Miami, I can do that too. I have no ties,and I can live anywhere in the world.”
“You’d do that, forme?”
“I’d follow you anywherebabe,” he said softly. “I thought you knew that by now.”
“I’m learning,” shesniffed.
He wiped away her tearswith his thumbs and then cupped her face while searching her eyes.“I know I just want to be wherever you are. And when you’re ready,we’ll have children and you can show them how much love you’veshown me. Love that you’ve never had, and have never been able toexpress.”
“I love you so muchRyan.”
“Of course youdo.”
She smiled and thenhiccupped. “Thank you for everything.”
“No, thank you.” He lowered his head andtook her mouth under his.
***
