“Yeah… You’re on your own with that,” I say quickly. “I don’t plan on having any kids for alooongtime.”
Annalise nods in agreement. “Yep. We plan on traveling as much as we can.”
I smile, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“And seriously,” I add, grinning at Elijah, “you thinkhe’sready to be a dad? He can barely take care of himself.”
The group bursts into laughter.
“Man, fuck y’all. I would make agreatdad,” Elijah protests, though he’s laughing too.
Santiago shakes his head, chuckling. “You watched Isaiah forone hour while I went to the dentist. One hour. When I came back, he’d eaten an entire box of Oreos. That was thefirstandlasttime I left you alone with my kid.”
Elijah shrugs, unbothered. “He’s a cute kid. I just couldn’t say no to him.”
We stayed at the club a couple more hours, drinking, laughing, and soaking it all in.
I snake my arm around Annalise’s waist and lean in, lowering my voice so only she can hear. “Wanna get out of here?”
She arches her brow. “You don’t wanna spend some more time with your friends?”
I shake my head. “Nah. I wanna spend some alone time with my girl.”
Blush warms her cheeks as her smile blooms. I take her hand, and together we slip out of the club and into the night.
I link my arm around Annalise, guiding her gently as we walk along the rugged shoreline, the waves crashing softly beside us.
As we approach the beach cove—our spot—a soft glow flickers inside, casting a golden light against the stone wall and cutting through the darkness of the night.
Annalise slows, her brows furrowing. “Did someone find our spot?” she asks, disappointment flickering in her voice.
I fight back a grin. “I hope not. Come on—let’s go tell them they’re trespassing.”
I jog ahead, and I hear her footsteps quickly follow behind.
“Maddox, wait!”
I reach the entrance to the cove and she tugs my arm, pulling me back. “Let’s just go home.”
But then she peeks around me and lets out a surprised gasp. “Oh… Maddox!”
The glow of candles dances across the cave walls, and rose petals are scattered in soft trails on the ground.
I turn to face her, taking both of her hands in mine while I stare into her eyes.
My voice trembles as I begin. “Annalise… Before I met you, I didn’t think true love existed.” I swallow, blinking back the emotions surging inside. “But you showed me what love really is. You changed how I see the world, and how I see myself. You’ve been my rock through everything. You helped mold me into the man I am today.”
Her eyes are already brimming with tears, her fingers trembling slightly in mine.
“I fall more in love with you every single day.” Tears cascade down my cheeks as I smile at her. “You are my past, my present, and my future. When I look into your eyes, I see forever.”
I reach into my pocket, pulling out the small velvet box. Her breath catches as I sink to one knee.
She covers her mouth as I open the box, the diamond ring glistening beneath the starlight, glowing with a promise.
“Our souls found their way back to each other,” I say, my heart pounding. “And I want to spend every single day proving just how much I love you.”
I smile up at her, eyes shining with everything I feel. “Annalise Rose Monroe, will you marry me?”
