Wordlessly, Sophie accepted it and opened the box. She stared at the beautiful diamond ring inside, tears forming in her eyes.
Looking up, Samson was down on one knee with a wiggly Alana eager to get down.
“I should have anticipated something would go wrong with this,” he muttered as he shifted his daughter into his arms. Sophie smiled.
“Sophie Perring. I love you and I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me?” he said. Naturally, Mutt decided it was the perfect time to bound over and attempt to give his master a lick.
“Mutt!” Samson cried. “We’re trying to have a moment here!”
Sophie laughed. She took the ring out of the box and relieved him of Alana, who wanted her box back.
“Of course I’ll marry you,” she said, as Samson got to his feet. “Though I can’t believe you entrusted the ring to a one-year-old.”
“It seemed like a good idea at the time,” Samson explained, with a shrug. He took the ring from her and placed it on her finger. “The main thing is you said yes.”
They kissed.
“Was there really any doubt in your mind?”
“Not really,” he admitted. “We’re meant for each other.”
“We are,” agreed Sophie.
“Alana and Mutt will have to argue over who gets to be ring bearer,” Samson pointed out.
“Alana does have experience . . .” Sophie pointed out.
“Fair enough,” Samson said. “Sorry, Mutt.”
Mutt wagged his tail, happy just to be included in the conversation.
“Come on,” said Sophie. “Let’s finish preparing for the party of the century. It’s not every day your daughter turns one. Or every day you ask someone to be your wife.”
“And she accepts.” Samson grinned and pulled her in for another kiss before he put his arm around Sophie and the family headed home together.
THE END
