I laugh, my hands shaking as I hold out the unopened ring box in front of me. “You have to let me ask first, Em. I’ve planned out this long speech to ask you to?—”
“No matter what you say, it’s already a yes,” she says, grabbing my face in her hands.
I swallow, emotion clogged in my throat at how much I love this woman.
“God, I love you,” I croak, grabbing her hand. It shakes against mine as I hold the box up.
“Emma, later tonight, when my mind isn’t clouded from nerves, I’m going to recite to you the entire epic speech I had planned to ask you to be my wife. It was filled with all the reasons I love you and how you make me a better man each and every day. I’ve known since the moment you told me you loved me that I was going to marry you, and I don’t want to wait any longer to make you my wife. I had all these other romantic things I was going to say with the proposal. It was filled with all the plans I have for us and how I cannot wait to be your partner in life for the rest of our lives, but fuck, all the poetic things I had in my mind are gone, so now…” I open the box, a rush of relief coursing through me at the way she gasps when she looks at the ring. “Will you marry me? I know I suck at words, but no one will ever love you like I do, and I promise to spend the rest of my life making sure you wake up each morning knowing how loved and cherished you are and…”
“Preston, yes.” Tears stream down her face as she falls to her knees in front of me, her arms wrapping around my neck. “God, yes. A million times yes.”
I wonder if she can feel the beat of my racing heart through the press of our chests. “You will?” I ask, needing her to say it one more time.
“Of course, I will.” She kisses me, forgetting all about the ring still in its box that I need to slide onto her finger. I convinced Margo, Winnie, Pippa, and Emma’s aunt to all come with me when ring shopping. I wanted all of their feedback to pick out the perfect ring for Emma, and I hope the large princess-cut diamond set on a platinum band of diamonds is everything she could’ve ever wanted in a ring.
I wrap my arms around her, holding her close to my body as I bury my face in her hair. “I love you,” I get out, my voice shaking with how much I love her.
“I love you too,” she responds immediately, leaning back so she can meet my eyes.
With a shaky hand, I slide the ring out of the box and place it on her finger. It’s a perfect fit, and I love the sight of it on her. I’ve known she’s mine for a while now, but I can’t wait for everyone who sees her with this to know it, too.
“This is the most stunning ring I’ve ever seen,” she says, her voice full of shock.
“Only the best for the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
Suddenly, all of our friends and family pop out from behind the letters and run toward us. It’s a frenzy of hugs and tears and congratulations. As everyone we love most shares in the excitement about our engagement, I pull Emma into my side and look down at her, marveling at the fact she’s now my fiancée.
The smile she gives me as she meets my eyes is my new favorite one of hers.
It’s one that promises forever.
And I can’t fucking wait for a forever with her by my side.
THE END
