And everyone in the room stands, and a roar blasts forth as he slips the ring on her finger.
Then the high-pitched voice of an overly excited emcee says, "What just happened, folks?"
I turn around and fling myself in Bastian's arms. "How crazy romantic was that?"
He admits, "That's going to be hard to beat."
The SEAL raises his hand, and silence falls. Then he lifts her hand, showing off a ROCK, and says, "You are all cordially invited to our wedding!"
The woman next to me screams, and the emcee bangs the gavel and shouts, "EPIC EVENT!"
EPILOGUE
Sebastian
Drivingto the Hamptons for our weekly Sunday visit with my mom, I run through the last three months.
Life at the office is running so smoothly. It doesn't feel like work anymore. Janet is out. Ramona is in. And the Booger Spot Booth Bonus is a huge success. My entire staff adores Samaera, and business is booming. We have a national book signing tour scheduled for the spring of next year.
We have spent nearly every hour together doing the things that make us happy, and we are very happy, but there is one piece of business left to wrap up.
I turn onto my mom's driveway, and she comes outside the front door to greet us, waving. Samaera waves back, grinning. "Look at her, Bastian. Look at how happy she is!"
"She beams whenever you're around," I tell her the truth. "She adores you too."
"Pickle," she turns a giggle on me, and I laugh.
When I park, Samaera jumps out and runs up to my mother. They hug as if it's been forever since they've seen each other. When in fact, it's only been a week. I marvel at their bond.
My mother has been instrumental in helping Samaera adjust to her new life of luxury. She also fell in love with a man with substantially more wealth than she did. However, she wasn't without money growing up like Samaera was. She's educated her on the dos and don'ts in the higher social circles. Always reminding her not to be who she isn't.
I grab the suitcases from the back and carry them inside to the guest suite Samaera and I stay in when we spend a few days here. I quickly unpack, putting everything in its place, then hurry back to the house.
When I walk in, they greet me with a stiff drink and an announcement that we are going for a walk on the beach. Bundling up, we take off to stretch our legs. It's cold and windy, but we all love the ocean.
After an hour, we're back inside by the fireplace, getting warm. But I can't sit. I'm fucking nervous. I pace, and my mother asks, "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," I lie.
But she doesn't believe me. She raises her eyebrows at Samaera, who shrugs.
I walk over to the bar and pour myself another drink. "Are either of you ready for a refill?"
"I'll have another." My mom says, but Samaera passes.
The alcohol doesn't help settle me down. Finally, I can't stand it anymore. I ask, "Mom, would you excuse us for a little while?"
"Certainly, darling. I'll be in the kitchen supervising whatever we're having for dinner tonight."
I hold my hand out, and Samaera slips hers in. We walk out before my mom does. I'm a man on a mission now.
Samaera asks, "What's wrong?"
"Nothing," I tell her. "I have something to share with you."
I take her straight to the bedroom and pull her into my arms. Then cup her face and kiss her lips. I stare at her, overwhelmed by what I'm about to do.
"Samaera," I pause.
