She laughed."I wasn't about to say no."
His eyes grew wide."You weren't?"
The words surprised her too, but she wasn't going to take them back.She shook her head."No.But go on.Say whatever you were about to say."
He grinned up at her and brought his hand out from behind his back, holding up a bunch of flowers.They were beautiful — blues and whites and soft purples.And then it struck her.
"That's Becca's bouquet, isn't it?"
He nodded happily."It is.Willow had it preserved.I know you don't need flowers for a proposal, but I wanted you to have them."
He held them up, and Peanut stepped forward to sniff them as Callie took them.
"I know this isn't exactly conventional," he said."I know you might say we haven't known each other long enough.But I love you, Callie — I know you're it for me.I know I want to spend the rest of my life with you.I want you to be my wife.I want to be your husband.We can be engaged for as long as you want.Just say you want to share your life with me.I'll wait forever for you."
Happiness buzzed in her chest as she asked, "Forever and a day?"
"Forever and a day, and an extra forever just in case."
She got down on her knees to join him and cupped his face in her hands.
"I never wanted to get married, Ollie.I think you know that's what I was running away from when I moved out here.I didn't want to be tied to someone else for the rest of my life."
His chin dropped, and she tucked her fingers under it, making him look back up at her.
"I'm not saying no.I'm saying yes.Yes to you.Only to you.It could only have been you.That's what I'm saying.I never thought I wanted it — but I do, with you."
He grinned and leaned in to claim her mouth in a deep, searing kiss.When they finally came up for air, he ran his fingers down her cheek.
"I love you, Callie."
She nodded."I love you too."She laughed."Oh, but crap — you might want to change your mind."
He laughed."That's hardly romantic.What's the problem?"
She laughed with him."I'm serious, Ollie.I don't want kids.And that's not something I'm going to change my mind about."
She relaxed when he smiled.
"Thank God for that.I hadn't even realized we needed to discuss it.But I don't either."
"You don't?You're sure?"
He shook his head."After my childhood, I know the damage a parent can do without even trying.I'd never want to be responsible for screwing a kid's life up."He chuckled."And besides, we could probably sign ourselves up to be Zia's godparents or guardians or whatever they’re called.She's enough kid for anyone."
Callie smiled."Yeah.I think that'd work."
He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear."Oh, shit.I forgot."He dug in his pocket."I didn't want to thrust it at you in case you were going to say no.But you're not saying no, are you?"
She chuckled."I'm saying yes, Ollie.I mean there’s no big hurry, but yes."
"Then there's this."
He held up a ring.A broad gold band set with a gorgeous green stone.
"I think it should fit," he said."Becca helped me out with the size.But if you don't like it—"
"I love it," she told him as he slid it onto her finger."It's the most beautiful ring I've ever seen, Ollie.It's gorgeous."
