I groan, scrubbing my face. “Probably drink a lot more.”
We all laugh as the backdoor opens again. This time Kallie and Jax walk through. I smile at my sister as she bounces my way.
“I’m so excited for you,” she says, hugging me. “The four of us are going to take the girls back to mom’s and hang out there for a while. She wants to keep them, so I hope you’re cool with that?”
“Of course. Did you get the dress?” I ask.
“Come on now, who the hell do you think you’re talking to?” she asks, laughing. “Everything is set. You’ll have this place to yourself after we help set up. Once you ask her and have your moment. We’ll be back to do pictures. I’ve got it all under control. You just worry about not dropping that ring.”
I’m not nervous. No part of me is worried about how this will go. I know she’ll say yes, I just want it to be perfect, like her.
The next few hours, the girls swim and we set up the backyard. There are lights everywhere, candles, flowers, and the table is set. It’s going to look stunning when it’s all lit up.
“Alright girls, you are going with Aunt Kallie to Grandma’s. I’ll see you tomorrow morning,” I say.
They are both excited and I’m so glad that they still love being at my mom’s. I hope that will continue as they get older. She loves having them.
“London and Blake are going to drop the dress off at your place. I have the note you wrote her, and I’ll put it by the dress. You go get ready and text me when you’re ready to let us join you guys,” Kallie says.
I wouldn’t have been able to pull this off without their help. I will never be able to tell them how much it means to me.
“You hurt my sister I’ll hunt you down,” Blake says, slapping my back.
“That’s something you never have to worry about,” I say.
Once they are all gone, I take a quick shower. The closer it gets to her getting here, the more excited and a little nervous I get. I pull on my white button-down and tuck it into my dress pants. The red tie I got to match McKinley’s dress is the next thing and finally my shoes. I look in the mirror and straighten my tie. My pulse races as I feel the ring in my pocket. This is really happening.
I hear my cell phone and I rush to see who it is.
McKinley: I’ll be home in five minutes. I can’t wait to see you.
I blow out a breath and slide it into my pocket. Okay, it’s almost show time.
I go out back and plug in all the lights and light the candles. When I step back to take it all in, I’m damn impressed. It’s romantic as hell. The lights are reflecting off the pool, the candles are flickering, and I can smell the strong scent of the red roses. It’s perfect.
The nerves I said I didn’t feel are crashing into me. I keep adjusting my tie, fixing the flowers, and checking the time. She should be here any minute.
I pour us each a glass of champagne and wait.
It feels like hours when I finally hear her walk into the house. My heart is pounding in my chest and my pulse is racing. But when she steps into the backyard, it all disappears. She’s my anchor, my heart, my world.
Her eyes are bouncing around at everything and finally land on me. I’m standing by the pool, holding our glasses of champagne. She looks stunning. The red strapless dress clings to her perfect body. Her hair and makeup are flawless, just like she is. But that smile. That genuine, happy smile is what makes it hard to stay still.
“Braden?”
“Welcome home, baby,” I say.
She walks toward me, and I can’t stop the smile that breaks out across my face. This girl is mine and I’m about to make sure she knows it’s forever.
“It looks breathtaking back here,” she says, taking the glass from me.
“Only because you’re here,” I say.
She smiles, searching my eyes. “What’s going on?” she whispers.
I take a sip of my champagne and put it down on the small table by the pool. She does the same and I take a deep breath.
“McKinley Monroe, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. You walk into a room and everyone turns and stares. It sure as hell happened to me when you came crashing into my life. From the second I laid eyes on you, I wanted to know more. That physical attraction was just the start. Once I got to know you, damn baby, I was no longer in control of my heart. I gave it to you, and you’ve had it ever since.” She begins to cry, and I smile as I quickly wipe away her tears. I trail my hands down her bare arms and take her hands in mine. “You accepted me and my daughters with an open heart and mind. You’ve been my rock, my constant, my world. I can’t imagine a day going by without you in it.”
I get down on one knee and the tears rush down her cheeks. “McKinley, I promise to love, protect, and support your dreams for the rest of your life. I promise to be strong when you’re weak, to be fearless when you’re scared, and to fight when you give up. I will love you forever, baby. Will you do me the honor of being my wife?”
I let go of her hands and pull the ring out of my pocket. She is shaking as she cries looking down at me. Her eyes are shining with not only tears but the love that I know she feels for me.
“Yes, oh my God, Braden, yes,” she whispers.
I slide
