"Yes," I breathe without hesitation, the word barely audible through my tears. “A millions times yes.”
He stands up quickly and takes me in his arms, lifting me slightly off the ground as he kisses me deeply. I feel like I'm floating, suspended in this perfect moment as his lips move against mine.
When he sets me down, his hands are trembling slightly as he takes the ring from the box and slides it onto my finger.
"It's so beautiful," I whisper, staring at my hand in disbelief. The weight of it feels strange and wonderful all at once. "I can't believe this is happening."
"Believe it," he says, his voice rough with emotion as he brushes a tear from my cheek with his thumb.
I look up from the ring, meeting his eyes. "How long have you been planning this?"
He tucks a strand of hair behind my ear, his smile turning slightly sheepish. "Since Christmas morning, actually. When I gave you the key to my place and saw how happy you were... I just knew. I wanted to give you so much more than just a key."
My heart swells at the thought of him planning this for weeks, of carrying this secret while we went about our daily lives. A thought suddenly occurs to me. "Does Tabby know?"
He shakes his head, his eyes bright. "I wanted this moment just for us first," he explains, his thumbs gently brushing over my knuckles. "Mom knows, of course, since that’s why I needed Tabby to stay with her last night."
"I can't wait to see her face," I say, imagining Tabby's reaction.
Denton laughs, the sound warm and rich. "I thought maybe we could tell her tonight at dinner? If that's okay with you?"
My heart swells even more. "I would love that."
He pulls me close again, resting his forehead against mine. "I still can't believe you said yes."
"Did you think I wouldn't?" I ask, genuinely curious.
He studies my face for a moment, his eyes serious. "I wasn't one hundred percent sure. After everything we've been through... after I walked away from you once..." He takes a deep breath, his thumb tracing circles on my back. "I just hoped you could trust me enough now. That you believed me when I said I'm never walking away again."
I reach up to touch his face, feeling the slight stubble beneath my fingertips. "Denton, I wouldn't be here if I didn't trust you. I wouldn't have let myself fall so completely in love with you and Tabby if I didn't believe in us."
His smile is like sunshine breaking through clouds. "I want to give you everything, Holly. A life, a family, a home. I want to stand beside you through whatever comes next—the good and the bad. All of it."
"That's exactly what I want too," I whisper, still hardly believing this is real. "You, me, and Tabby. And maybe someday..."
His eyes widen slightly. "Someday?"
I blush, suddenly shy. "Maybe... a brother or sister for Tabby?"
The look that crosses his face is one of such pure joy it takes my breath away. He pulls me close again, his arms strong and sure around me.
"I love you, Holly James," he murmurs against my hair.
“And I loveyou, Denton Blake.”
Epilogue - Holly
Ten Months Later
I wake up with butterflies in my stomach. It’s Christmas morning and I can’t wait to give my gifts to Denton and Tabby.
I glance over at Denton who’s still fast asleep. I watch him, unable to tear my eyes away. His face is completely relaxed, those worry lines that sometimes appear between his brows completely smoothed away. His dark lashes rest against his cheeks, and his mouth is slightly parted.
He stirs and opens those gorgeous gray eyes and blinks sleepily. "Are you watching me again while I sleep?"
I smile softly. "I can't help myself."
He smiles lazily and reaches for me, while I shift in the bed so he can spoon me. He pulls me tight against his warm chest. "Mmm, I like it," he murmurs against my hair. "Means I get to wake up to your beautiful face."
