“This is amazing. I can’t believe you guys did all of this.” I turn and see Max holding another bouquet of my favorite flowers. Travis has his hand on Max’s shoulder, and my heart bursts with my love for these two.
“These are the special ones. Daddy helped me pick these this morning.” He holds them out, and I take them from his little hand.
“Thank you, Max. They’re beautiful.” I bring the bouquet to my nose and see something glittering in the sun. I turn the bouquet in my hand, and a gorgeous diamond ring stares back at me. It’s white gold with a large diamond in the middle and two smaller ones on either side. I know right away it represents the three of us.
I blink back the tears and look at Travis. He has a small smile on his lips as he walks over and unties the ring, getting down on one knee. My breath catches in my throat as tears silently fall down my face. To see this beautiful man before me, who I love with every fiber of my being, kneeling in front of me is a sight I will never forget.
“Sophia Sage Lane, I knew the moment you grabbed me in the hall that night that you were someone I was afraid of. I was afraid of the way you made me feel. Afraid I would fall madly in love with you only to watch you walk away from us. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t stay away. I needed you like my next breath of air, and it became apparent to me very early on that the only thing I was truly afraid of was never having you by my side for the rest of my life.
“You not only love me but love my son as if he’s your own. You accepted both of us without hesitation and have filled our home with even more love than I could ever imagine. I want more than anything to grow a bigger family with you and watch our kids grow old together. You’re my everything. Will you marry me, wildcat, and be that color in our world for me and Max?”
“Yes,” I whisper, grinning through my tears and nodding my head. “Nothing would make me happier than to be Mrs. Montgomery. I love you with everything in me and want no one else by my side to walk this life with.”
His grin lights up his face as he slips the diamond on my finger before standing and crushing his lips to mine. “I love you so much, wildcat,” he whispers against my lips.
“Yay!” Max jumps up and down, and we both laugh. I bend down, holding out my arms to him, and he runs into them. “Does this mean you will be my mom now and be with us forever?”
My heart squeezes with love, and I don’t think I’ll ever bethe same after those words are spoken by Max. “I would love to be your mom, Max if that’s what you want. I’ll always be here for you and love you no matter if you call me Sophie or Mom.”
“I want you to be my mom,” he whispers against my neck.
“I want that more than anything in the world.” I glance up at Travis, and he’s trying to hold it together, his emotions swirling in those greys.
“I love you,” he mouths.
“I love you too,” I mouth back.
Epilogue
Two months later…
I smoothmy hand down my beautiful white dress. I got lucky when I tried this one on. The material is like a second skin to me, and it needed no alterations. It’s like it was made for me. It’s strapless and hugs my curves before slightly flowing into a mermaid style at the bottom. The long slit up the side reveals just enough leg to drive Travis wild. I wore my hair up with purple plumeria weaved into it. I want my tattoo to show proudly as I walk down the aisle.
Neither of us wanted a long engagement, so with the help of our families coming together to create this day, our close family and friends are all seated outside on the beach in front of the blue beach house that I’ve come to adore. Once school gets out, we’re spending our first summer here, and Max can’t stop talking about all the fun we are going to have.
“Are you ready, love?” My dad places my hand on his arm and covers it with his.
“I’m so ready.” I smile up at my dad and try to hold back the tears that seem to want to keep falling.
“I know I told you this earlier, but you look beautiful, honey. Your mom and I are so proud of you, and we couldn’t be happier for what you found. Anyone can see how much you two love each other. Travis and Max are part of our family now, and we will love them like our own. We are excited to spoil our first grandchild.” He smiles at me, and I blink back the tears.
“Thanks, Dad.” He leads us to the top of the stairs, and I stare down at all the people I love. My bridesmaids are already up there in their pale lavender dresses. Bella is my maid of honor, and I see her wipe a tear as she smiles at me with Emma by her side. Savi and Skye are next to them, and Luna is on the end.
Jake, Miles, and Ryder grin at me as I catch their eye before I reach Maverick and Noah next to his brothers. Tears spring to my eyes as I hold Mav’s gaze. He winks at me, and I smile widely back at him. Max is standing in front of his uncles, holding the ring pillow in his little black tux, and love rushes through me.
I take a deep breath and prepare myself before looking at the one man I would do anything for. His grey eyes meet mine, and with my dad by my side, we slowly walk down the steps toward the other half of my heart.
He’s breathtakingly handsome in his black tux, and I don’t think I’ve ever felt more loved or more beautiful than I do right now. His gaze never leaves mine as I walk the rest of the way to him. When I place my hand in his, love fills me, and his greys capture mine.
“You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever laid eyes on, wildcat.” His breath warms my neck as he whispers in my ear. “Are you ready to become Mrs. Montgomery?”
“I couldn’t be more ready.”
Hours later,we are the last ones in the backyard. All my family and friends got rooms in town, and Travis’s brothers and Savi, along with Lincoln and Seth, went out to keep the party going at one of the bars down the street. They even got Ryder to join them. Trevor and Meagan took a very sleepy Max inside an hour ago.
The backyard has been transformed into a magical area. Thousands of fairy lights are strung everywhere, making it seem that millions of lightning bugs are dancing in the air all around us. Miles and his band built a dancefloor over the pool and played for the reception.
We leave for our honeymoon tomorrow and decided to stay here for the night to have breakfast with Max before we leave. Travis’s parents are staying at our house, so Max can still go to school next week while we’re gone.
