Page 52 of Oops, My Professor Got Me Pregnant!

Lauren’s heart had started to race. She had an idea of what Nico was building to, but she could hardly believe it.

“Ask me what?” Her voice was just above a whisper.

Nico stood from his chair and took Lauren’s hands in one of his. Then, slowly, he got down on one knee. With his free hand, he reached into his pocket and removed a small box. He flipped it open expertly, as though he’d practiced the motion many times, and Lauren saw a gorgeous diamond ring nestled in the satin interior of the box. Around the diamond were four small blue stones.

“This ring has been in my family for generations. It symbolizes the enduring love we have for each other. But I made a small adjustment. These blue stones are blue chalcedony — the state gemstone of Nebraska. I wanted the ring to symbolize not only your life in France, but also your life in Nebraska and your history.”

Lauren was smiling so wide she worried her cheeks would cramp, but tears were rolling down her cheeks too. This moment was everything she’d ever dared to dream of: a perfect union of her past in the United States with her grandfather, and her future in France with Nico and their children.

“So, my dearest Lauren, would you make me the happiest man on earth and do me the honor of becoming not only the mother of my children and the love of my life, but also my wife?”

“Yes! Of course!”

And then Nico was on his feet. He swept Lauren into his arms and held her tightly. Lauren held him back. Her heart felt so full it could overflow.

When Lauren had decided to come to Paris, she’d wanted an adventure and time in the city she’d loved before. She’d even hoped for a little romance. Yet she had never expected to fall in love, to find a family, or to feel as at home as she did right now. France wasn’t a foreign country anymore — it was where her whole heart lived.

Nico tilted away so he could capture Lauren’s mouth in a kiss. The same rush of butterflies and love swept through her, as always happened when their lips touched. Nico kissed her gently until Lauren’s knees were weak, then set her back on her feet and took her hand. Carefully, he slid the beautiful ring onto Lauren’s finger, then raised her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips across her fingers.

“I love you,” he said, his voice low and deep.

“I love you, too.”

In that moment, Lauren saw her future: raising kids with Nico, reading and going on adventures, romantic evenings while the kids were in bed, and weekend getaways. And so much love that she would never feel alone again.

Lauren could never have wished for anything more than her little French family.

The End