“It worked, didn’t it?”
“Mm-hmm,” I mumble.
“So?”
“So what?”
“Are you going to marry me?”
My mouth drops as I gape at him. “I thought…you just said…did you just propose to me?” I’m both shocked, giddy and confused all at once, while Severin keeps driving completely unbothered. Cool as a freaking cucumber.
“I obviously wasn’t planning to do it in a car on a random Wednesday as we drive through the storm…but yes, I just asked you to marry me.”
“Severin…you can’t…you can’t be serious!” I squeal, and he slowly turns his arched eyebrow my way.
“Marry me, Aurora.”
“Well, that’s…that’s not even a question anymore!” I throw my hands up and catch a faint twitch to his lips. “And now he’s laughing!”
“I am not.”
“Are too!” This time his laugh is belly deep. “See!” I proclaim.
“I can’t help it if my future wife is ridiculously adorable.”
“Your…your future wife,” I sputter.
“Is that a yes, Lychik?” He levels me with a look as a smile still lingers on his lips.
“You’re insane!” A laugh cackles out of me.
“No, I’m an asshole for not giving you a grand proposal with flowers, live music, and a ring. But I’m not insane, and I need you to say yes because despite my choice of proposal, I can’t see a life where you and Emett are not by my side. Never, Aurora. When you asked me what love means for me, it’s you. Just you. Your eyes and your smile and every breath you take.”
I suck in a lungful of air, my heart racing for a whole different reason. He can’t be serious.
“So, yes, I’m asking you to marry me in this truck as we drive. Because I’m not willing to wait another moment.”
How is he serious?
Is he?
I glance down at his phone where the image of my living room is still on in live time. Heisinsane, but I know one thing for sure, I can’t see a life where he’s not in it either.
He’s like that storm, an ever-present cloud in my life that watches over me. Protects me. Fights for me. Fightsmefor me.
“Mommy,” Emett whispers, “please say yes!”
A choked laugh bubbles out of me. “I’ve never wanted a grand proposal, Sava. When I’ve dared to dream, I’ve always dreamed of this. You.”
He looks over to me for a second. “Yes?”
“Was there ever any other answer.”
“No, there wasn’t. Damn it, I wish I could kiss you right now. Next time, please remind me not to do this while we’re driving.”
Severin takes my hand, kissing it before he presses it into his chest, and doesn’t let go to the sounds of Emett’s cheers and happiness on the back seat.
For a long blissful moment, I forget about the situation waiting for me at home, I forget to be responsible and simply just live.
