My shoulders raise, and with a deep inhale, I exclaim,“Willow is officially adopted!” My arms raise above my head like I’ve scored a touchdown.
The room explodes into joyful chaos. My mother hugs each person surrounding her, including a shocked Luke—who, of course, already knew and is trying his best to pretend.
A line forms, all the guests coming to congratulate us one by one. Emily and Lane charge at us and bring us into a group hug. Everyone stops by Willow too. Some for a high-five, others with applause. She loves every second of it, giggling, clapping and signing“more”to try to swindle another cupcake.
Once the commotion settles, I address the room again.“Thank you all again for coming. Help yourself to food and stay as long as you can. We—”Warren kisses my temple while patting my shoulder, and I turn to him, confused at the interruption.
“Actually, there is one more thing…” Warren takes both of my hands and sinks down to one knee.
All the air leaves my lungs—and perhaps the entire room.It’s actually happening!
“Chloe, I—”
A nervous giggle escapes me, stopping him. I bite my lip. “So sorry, go on!” I feel my cheeks flush and glance at Emily and Lane, who look like they could burst from anticipation.
Warren smirks, then resets. “Chloe, I love you more than words could do justice, but I will try. Our paths have not been smooth or easy, but I’d do it all again, a million times over, to get back here. By the grace of the golf-ball gods and the whim of CPS, we were thrown into each other’s lives, and I have spent most of the last year wondering how I got so damn lucky.” He clears his throat and rubs his thumbs on the backs of my hands.
“You’re the most resilient, dedicated, and beautiful person I know. To know you is to love you, and I consider myself privileged to know you.” He lets go of my hands and reaches into his back pocket, pulling out an understated wooden box.
The box opens with a slight creak to reveal a stunning solitaire sapphire ring—the same one I showed Emily and Lane a few months back. I gasp and bring a hand to my mouth.
“Chloe, may I please be your husband?”
“Yes! Yes, please.” I say through a gentle sob.
He stands up and picks me right off the floor until my legs are swinging out behind me. I wrap my arms around his neck and hold on for dear life, wishing to memorise every bit of this moment.
“I love you,” I say into his ear as he lowers me.
The crowded apartment bursts into clapping and cheering for the third time today. Warren slips the ring onto my finger, and I squeal at the sight of it. I’ve never owned something so beautiful.
My mom rushes over and kisses us both on the cheek twice, and my dad gives Warren a firm handshake before pulling us both into a hug. They flew in—I should have known.
I flash my hand over my dad’s shoulder to Lane and Emily—both crying, though Lane is definitely trying her best to hide it. They give two thumbs up as Warren leaves my side to hug Luke.
As the two brothers hug, Matt sets down the teddy bear—finally—and joins the hug over the top of their embrace. Both brothers laugh and bring him in.
Belle practically skips over to me, holding out her hands to see my ring. Ram pats Warren on the shoulder in passing, then follows his wife over to where I stand. I hug them both, feeling like I could burst with gratitude.
All these people,ourpeople, in one room—on ourteam.
“Oh my darlin’… that is a beauty!” Belle moves my hand from side to side, seeing the light glisten off the ring.
“Kid did good,” Ram chimes in.
“He sure did.” Warren joins the three of us, wrapping a hand around my shoulders and kissing my cheek. I couldn’t stop smiling even if I wanted to.
“So, Mr. and Mrs. Davies, eh?” Ram asks.
“Well, actually… we haven’t decided yet,” Warren replies.
“Yes, sweetheart, this is what the young folk are doing.” Belle hits the back of her hand softly against Ram’s chest. “They hyphenate or keep their last names these days.”
“We want to make a new name. Something for only us,” I answer, looking up at Warren as he smiles down at me.Myfiancé.
“You know… I did have one idea,” Warren says with hesitation.
“Oh, yeah?” I remember his list—McAwesome, Bond, Buffett…no thanks.
