Page 85 of Merry with Me
Aww, this man. He makes my insides all gooey.
“I know my last name isn’t Kincaid,” he says, and everyone laughs, “but I think I’ll adopt the family motto, anyway.”
A chorus of “Good man” and “Hell yes, you are,” along with a few others, are called out, but I don’t bother to see who’s commenting. I keep my eyes on Oliver because his are locked on me.
“Blake, I love you.”
Oohsandaahsfrom the ladies ring out.
“I promise you that I’ll work hard every damn day to show you just how much. I’ll love you harder tomorrow than I do today, and even more ten years from now.”
My heart is racing, and when he drops to one knee, it might just pound right out of my chest. On instinct, I turn to face him. When my dad leans over and whispers, “Stand up, sweetheart,” I do as I’m told. With shaking legs, I stand.
“Blakely Kincaid, I love you. You brought me back to life. I was existing in a world of black and white until the day you waltzed into my office. I never want to know what a day in my life without you in it feels like. I can’t remember my time before you.” He pauses, letting his words sink in.
I know he’s moved on from his past, but this, his words… they confirm for me that his past no longer defines him.
“I want to spend every day of my life working hard to love you harder. Blake, baby, will you be married with me?” He winks, and I toss my head back in laughter.
“I asked you first,” I tease.
“Then you should definitely already be wearing this,” he says, opening the small ring box. “But I need to hear you say it.”
“Like she’s going to say no,” Beckham says. “Just put the poor guy out of his misery. I’m starving.”
“Beck.” My dad’s tone is laced with warning.
“What do you say, Blake? Will you be my wife?”
“Yes.” I nod. “There’s nothing I want more.”
Oliver removes the ring from the box before sliding it on my finger. There are tears in my eyes, so I can’t see it well, but I know it’s perfect. Anything he’s chosen for me would be perfect because it was chosen out of love. He stands, cups my face in his hands, and kisses me like our families are not watching.
“All right, I gave you my blessing, but I don’t need to see that,” Dad grumbles.
Oliver laughs. “Thank you, Declan. I’ll cherish her always.”
“I know you will, son. Welcome to the family.”
“Let’s eat!” Beckham calls out. Everyone laughs and digs into their food, while I stare at the ring on my left hand.
“We’re getting married,” I whisper, more to myself than anyone else.
“You’re my forever, Blakely Kincaid.”
“Forever.”
EPILOGUE OLIVER
Oliver
Three Years Later
There have been many moments in my life since I met my wife that I’ll never forget. When she agreed to be my wife, I thought for sure nothing could top that. Then, a year later, the week before Christmas, we were married, and that day, I knew without a doubt nothing would ever beat it.
Both times, I was wrong.
I didn’t consider how I would feel when we started a family. I’ve spent the last several months watching a piece of our love grow inside her. Every day, I think that I can’t possibly love her anymore, and then she spends fourteen hours in labor to bring our baby boy into the world.