“I’msogood! We want to marry you!” She clapped her hands over her mouth. “Oh no! Mommy was supposed to say that!” She cast a worried glance over her shoulder to her mother, whose face was as red as Ryleigh’s Princess Elana dress.
My heart stopped, then began racing. I grinned at Kami, then pressed my nose to Ryleigh’s. “I promise I won’t mention it, okay?”
“Okay!” She giggled. “I know! I’ll try again.Isay, ‘Tiggerman, me and Mommy love you very much.’ AndthenI give you BIG HUG!” She wrapped her little arms around my neck. I closed my eyes and held her tight, moved beyond measure that they wanted me to be a part of their lives forever.
“And then Mommy says—” She twisted around to face Kami, who looked panic-stricken. Behind her, her parents and sisters stood back from us, smiling like foxes in the henhouse. I had a feeling she hadn’t meant to do this in front of everyone, but here we were.
Kami met my gaze and dropped to one knee. I grinned and shifted Ryleigh in my arms so I could reach into my pocket for the little box I’d brought with me. “Trask, I—I never thought I’d find love again. You surprised me, in every way. Everygoodway.” She glanced around us and swallowed.
I held Ryleigh tight and sank to one knee, mirroring Kami’s position and holding Ryleigh in place on my thigh. “You surprised me, too,” I said, pulling the box out of my pocket.
Kami gasped, and I flicked the box open.
“There’s two rings in there, Mommy!” Ryleigh smacked her hands over my cheeks and turned my head to face her. “Is the little one for me? Or for Mommy’s baby finger?”
I laughed and tried to talk as she squished my face. “It’s for you, if you want it.”
“I do!” She dropped her hands from my face and carefully pulled the little ring up from the cushion. “It’s soooooo sparkly.” She watched it twinkle in awe. “Okay! Put it on my finger now, please!”
I laughed and turned back to Kami. “I had a whole speech planned.”
She smiled. “So did I.”
“So did I!” Ryleigh shouted. She plucked the other ring from the box. “Mr. Tiggerman, will you marry us and love us for ever and ever and ever?”
I stared into Kami’s eyes, barely noticing Khloe behind her, recording us with her phone. “I absolutely will.”
“Good! Now take the rings and ask us to marry you! Me first.”
“Yes, ma’am.” She placed the smaller one in my waiting palm, and I held it up. “Ryleigh Emmaline Spencer, will you let me marry your mommy and be your stepdad?”
“I will!” She giggled as I slid the tiny ring onto her right-hand ring finger. “Now it’s Mommy’s turn!” She slid off my leg and ran to stand with her grandparents and aunts.
I stared at Kami, suddenly feeling shy. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world,” I choked out. “It’s hard to believe someone like you wants to love me forever.”
“You’re worthy of the best love, Trask. I’m overflowing with love for you.”
I opened my mouth, but instead of words, I could only manage a whisper. My throat was thick with emotion, and I was trying not to cry in front of our families. “I love you more than anything, Kami. I’m already the happiest man in the world. Will you give me the honor of being your husband?”
She nodded. “It will be an honor to be your wife.”
I slid the ring on her finger and pulled her close as clapping and whooping erupted around us. We stood up, and I kissed her like there’d be no tomorrow.
* * *
