Page 48 of Blazing Joysticks
“You are my mate, my partner, my everything,” Keir continued, his eyes shining with emotion. “Will you do me the extraordinary honor of becoming my wife?”
For a moment, Cat couldn’t speak past the lump in her throat. Tears blurred her vision as she nodded emphatically. “Yes,” she managed to choke out. “Yes, absolutely yes!”
Keir’s face split into a radiant grin as he slid the ring onto her finger. He stood, pulling her into a passionate kiss that left her breathless. When they finally parted, Cat couldn’t stop staring at the ring on her finger, a tangible symbol of their love and commitment.
“It’s beautiful,” she murmured.
“Not half as beautiful as you,” Keir replied, his voice husky. He took a deep breath, his expression growing serious.
“Keir,” she said softly, squeezing his hand. “The idea of spending eternity with you is beautiful. It’s everything I never knew I wanted.”
He pulled her into a fierce embrace, burying his face in her hair. “I love you so much, kitten. I promise to make every moment of our long life together count.”
As they held each other, basking in the glow of their engagement and the promise of their future, a commotion from the entrance caught Cat’s attention. She turned, her jaw dropping as she saw a crowd of familiar faces pouring into the restaurant.
“Surprise!” Laura called out, grinning widely.
Cat’s parents, Michael and Laura, Beck, Amelia and her family, and the rest of Keir’s family, including his parents and a host of their friends and colleagues filled the space, all beaming at the newly engaged couple.
“You knew about this?” Cat asked Keir, laughing in disbelief.
He shrugged, a mischievous glint in his eye. “I may have planned a little celebration.”
The next hour passed in a whirlwind of congratulations, toasts, and laughter. Cat’s cheeks hurt from smiling so much, her heart full to bursting with love and joy. As she looked around at the faces of her family - both blood and chosen - she marveled at how much her life had changed in such a short time.
Eventually, the party began to wind down. Cat found herself back by the window, Keir’s arms wrapped around her from behind as they looked out over the city.
“Happy?” he murmured in her ear.
Cat turned in his embrace, reaching up to cup his face in her hands. “Deliriously,” she replied before pulling him down into a deep, passionate kiss.
In that moment, with the taste of champagne on her lips and the promise of eternity stretching out before them, Cat knew she’d found her happily ever after. And it was only the beginning.
EPILOGUE
Gerri Wilder sauntered across Mara Ashford’s opulent home, her eyes twinkling with mischief and satisfaction. The room buzzed with excited chatter, the clinking of champagne flutes, and the soft classical music playing in the background. She paused to admire the stunning view of Central Park through the floor-to-ceiling windows, marveling at how the lush greenery contrasted with the sleek, modern decor of the penthouse.
The scent of freshly baked scones and delicate tea sandwiches wafted through the air, making Gerri’s stomach growl. She’d been so caught up in the excitement of Cat and Keir’s engagement news that she’d barely touched the exquisite spread Mara’s staff had prepared.
As she made her way to the buffet, she caught snippets of animated conversations. Suzette Reeves and Vivianne Sharpe were holding court near the fireplace, their faces glowing with pride as they recounted the details of their children’s whirlwind romance.
“I still can’t believe it,” Suzette gushed, her hand fluttering to her pearl necklace. “My Cat, engaged! And to such a wonderful man.”
Vivianne nodded enthusiastically, her silver hair catching the light. “Keir’s never been happier. It’s like he’s a completely different person with Cat.”
Gerri couldn’t help but smile as she approached the waffle station. The chef, a young man with a hipster beard and tattoos peeking out from under his crisp white uniform, greeted her with a grin.
“What can I get for you, ma’am?” he asked, gesturing to the array of toppings.
“Surprise me,” Gerri winked. “And don’t skimp on the whipped cream, darling.”
As the chef set about creating her waffle masterpiece, Gerri’s keen ears picked up a conversation from the nearby settee. Mara Ashford and Letty Madden sat huddled together, their voices low but tinged with a hint of wistfulness.
“I’m so glad the others are having such luck,” Mara sighed, swirling the mimosa in her flute. “But I can’t help feeling like I’ll never be one of the lucky ones.”
Letty reached out, patting Mara’s knee sympathetically. “Oh, I know exactly how you feel. It’s wonderful to see someone’s children find happiness, but...”
“But you wish it were your own,” Mara finished, nodding. “If only my son would focus on something other than short-term flings when it comes to romance.”