Brian’s eyes widened before resetting and filling with jubilation. Without hesitation, he reached into his back pocket.
Erin gasped at the sight of the engagement ring between his fingers as he knelt on one knee before the bed.
“I go everywhere with it,” he answered her unasked question. “I’ve always held on to hope that it would work out. Erin Avlon, will you make me the happiest man in this world and become my wife?”
Even though she had anticipated the question, her palm still clamped over her mouth as her eyes widened.
“Will you?” Brian pressed when she didn’t answer.
She nodded before removing her hand from her mouth to reply. “Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He slipped the ring onto her finger before rising to his feet and wrapping her in his arms, careful to avoid hurting her further. He placed a sweet kiss against her lips.
“What’s going on here?” The two separated to see Cora, Joel, Jules, and Andrea standing at the door, looking between them.
Erin smiled radiantly as she raised her ring finger.
“We’re engaged.”
Epilogue
“Where are you going?”
Erin turned slowly to see Brian with a stern look and his arms folded over his chest. “I’m going outside to enjoy the barbecue,” she answered.
“I told you I would take you,” Brian responded.
“But you were taking too long,” she replied, pushing out her lip in a pout.
Brian sighed, and his hands fell to his sides. “If you weren’t so cute and helpless, I’d leave you to navigate the stairs by yourself.”
Erin scoffed. “I’m not helpless.”
“Of course you are. You’re helplessly in love with me.” He pointed to himself with a smirk on his lips.
“You’re so corny,” she replied with a roll of her eyes before swiveling on her good leg and balancing with the crutches as she turned back to the stairs. “This helpless girl is heading down these steps.”
In a flash, the crutches were removed from under her arms, and she was swept up in Brian’s arms.
“You’re not going anywhere without me.” He smiled down at her.
Erin giggled.
He carried her down the stairs in his arms as they descended one flight at a time till they reached the bottom. As he helped her to her feet, he also gave her the crutches she needed. He kept up with her as she made her way slowly to the back door of the house. Before she even stepped out onto the porch, the sound of laughter was there to welcome her.
“Don’t move. I’m going to set up the chaise by the patio for you,” Brian instructed.
“Okay, I won’t,” she beamed.
She could not help but crack a grin as she peered out at her family, having fun. The aroma of the meat sizzled on the grill while Uncle Luke hovered over it. Her stomach began to grumble, and she was reminded that she hadn't consumed anything more substantial than a yogurt, a banana, and some coffee since she woke up in the morning.
“Hi, sweetie,” her mother greeted her, coming from inside with an aluminum pan of fried chicken in her hands. Erin salivated at the sight and smell.
“Hi, Mom,” she said.
“How are you feeling?”
“No difference since you asked me an hour ago,” she replied with a sly look.
