I went to our bedroom and grabbed the small box in the drawer I’d hidden it in.
Miller was sitting on the couch when I walked back into the room. He was leaning forward, his elbows on his knees as he stared at the fire. I wasn’t sure how it was even possible, but the shadows that danced across his face made him even more handsome.
I stopped right in front of him and cleared my throat. “I’m in love with you,” I said, staring down at him.
“I’m in love with you too, kid.”
I smiled and tucked a loose strand of hair behind my ear. I’d practiced this speech in my head dozens of times. But my stomach was filled with butterflies and somehow them flapping around messed with the plans in my brain. I shook my head, like I could clear it of my nerves. “I…” my voice trailed off.Screw the plan.I handed him the box. “Open it.”
He pressed his lips together, like he wanted to say something. But instead of speaking, he slowly unwrapped the paper and took off the lid.
There were two rings inside. One that would fit me. And one that I hoped would fit him.
“We can’t really get married legally. But that doesn’t mean we can’t get married.”
He looked up at me.
“What matters is what’s in our hearts. And my heart aches for you. I love you and only you. I’m sorry it’s taken me forever to figure this out…” I got down on one knee. “Richard Miller…will you marry me?”
There were tears in his eyes as he pulled me into his lap. His lips crashed against mine. And as happy as I was that this probably meant ‘yes,’ I needed him to know exactly what he was agreeing to.
I put my hand on his chest. “There’s something you should probably know.”
“Kiss me, Brooklyn.”
I smiled as he tried to kiss me again, but I pulled back. “There is one contingency to this marriage.”
“The answer is yes, to whatever it is.” He kissed me again.
I laughed. “Miller, I’m serious.”
“Okay.” His eyes searched mine. “What is it?”
“We have to get married tonight. Because this is a shotgun situation.”
His eyes slowly traveled to my belly. “What?”
“I’m pregnant. I took the test this week.”
“You’re pregnant?”
“Yes.” I held my breath waiting for his reaction.
“You’re pregnant?” he asked again.
My heart started racing. I was good at reading him, but right now I had no idea what he was thinking. “I think I’m a few months along.”
He placed his hand on my stomach. “You’re pregnant.” This time it wasn’t a question. And a smile spread across his face. “You’re pregnant!” He stood up, pulling me with him, twirling me around.
I laughed as I moved my legs around his waist. “We’re having a baby.”
The tears were back in his eyes. “I’m going to be a dad.”
This joy in his voice brought tears into my eyes too. “Yes.”
He kissed me and this time I let him. I wasn’t sure why I’d been nervous. Miller and I were in this together. We’d made roots in this town. This was our home. And we were going to be a family.
“We should probably make this thing official,” I said.
