His mom covered her face in delight. “My first grandbabies. I’m so excited.”
“We have pictures, too, if you want to take a look.” Levi pointed.
His mom immediately took my hand as we walked over. “Levi has talked so much about you. He loves you very much.”
“And I love him very much as well.”
She looked over at each photo. “These are lovely. So beautiful, and you are glowing,” she told me. James smiled and nodded his head in agreement.
Levi’s mom looked to James. “We need to move closer so I can see my grandbabies often.”
I laughed at her comment.
Levi stood at the center of the room. “I need everyone to gather around as I have one more surprise up my sleeve.”
I looked at Levi suspiciously as he took my hand and dropped down on one knee. “Figured I’d do this right.” We laughed, and I covered my face in surprise. He took one hand and asked, “Rylee Raegan, will you marry me?” as he presented a beautiful diamond ring.
“Oh my god. Yes. Yes, I will marry you.” Tears streamed down my cheeks, but I was ecstatic.
Levi slipped the ring on my finger, stood, and hugged me tight while everyone clapped and hollered in celebration. I was a bawling mess. I couldn’t even see the ring through my tears. Once Levi separated from me, I swiped the tears with my finger, hoping my makeup wasn’t running. Holding my hand up, I was able to look at the ring.
“It’s gorgeous. Thank you.”
“You just made me the happiest man alive,” he exclaimed.
Everyone came around, hugging us and shaking Levi’s hand. There was so much joy in this room and my heart felt full. I wish the rest of my family could be enjoying this moment with us.
“Dinner is served,” the wait staff announced. We all gathered at the table. Levi sat at the head of the table with me on his left.
The food was being served when Levi announced, “We do have some news to share.”
I looked down at my lap for a moment before lifting my eyes back up to meet my soon-to-be husband’s.
“A few days ago, Rylee had a normal checkup at the doctor. And she’s gonna need surgery.”
We went through all the details to let them know what is going on.
Aubrey reached across and squeezed my hand. “We’re all here for you guys. If you need anything, let us know.”
I accepted with a nod.
“She’ll stay overnight and should be home by Friday.”
“Well, I’m gonna stay for support,” Levi’s mom announced.
“Oh, you don’t have to,” I told her.
“Nonsense. You’re family now. I want to be here for support.”
“That’s very kind of you.”
Levi took my hand and rubbed it with his thumb. “We wanted to get everyone together; celebrate the babies we are expecting. My mom is gonna be remarried soon. And I couldn’t be happier for her.”
“And now you guys are engaged,” James announced.
We all held up our glasses, water for me, and clinked our glasses together.
“Now, let’s eat,” Levi stated.
I asked Aubrey and Chance about all their kids, and was eager for the updates. I asked Levi’s mom if she and James had set a wedding date yet. But she said they weren’t in a rush right now.
I was happy to put the attention toward my guests.
My brothers even told us about their careers and the women they recently started dating.
It was so nice to catch up and chat with everyone in one room.
Chapter Thirty-Five
RYLEE
Early the next morning, we bid my brothers farewell. I was able to walk them out while Levi hung back with his mom.
“What do you think of Levi?” I looked to Constance then Simon.
“I like him,” Constance said. “He apologized for the way he behaved when I first met him.”
“Yeah. He seems like a good guy,” Simon chimed in.
Constance added, “I know he loves you a lot.”
“Thank you.”
“Sorry we couldn’t stay longer for your surgery.”
“Don’t worry about it. Nothing you can do anyway.”
“Have Levi text us immediately after,” Simon requested.
“I will.”
I hugged each one and thanked them again for coming. I told them they needed to move closer so my babies would know their uncles, but I knew that was unlikely.
***
Grabbing my overnight bag, Levi rushed over to grab it from me. “I’ll get that.”
We headed to the hospital, while Levi’s Mom Becca stayed behind. Silently, I knew it would be a god send she was here to help with things. I was surprised how quickly she and I connected as she welcomed me to the family, being that she didn’t even know about me and then we sprung my pregnancy on her. But she took it all in stride.
“Did you ever mention me to your mom before I met her?”
“Oh, of course. I went to see her on my way to Las Vegas. And I spent the day with her and James. That’s when he asked me permission for her hand in marriage. I did talk about you and how much of an ass I was. And I told her I was trying to fix the situation. She said right then that she hoped to meet you. So yes, she did know.”
“Well, I’m glad we didn’t spring everything on her at once.”
“She cares about me being happy. And you make me happy.”
“Do you think people will notice the age difference in us when they see us at the bed and breakfast?”
I didn’t know why I was still hung up on that. I was pregnant so that problem kind of went out the window.
“Honestly, you don’t even look like you’re in your thirties.”
“Late thirties,” I corrected him.
“It’s never been an issue with me. And if
