“But then I figured I may as well pocket that cash for a honeymoon and rob a jewelry store, since I was already getting pretty good at it.”
“Such an efficient use of burglary skills.” Laughing, she rolls her wrist so the stone catches the light. “What I meant was, when did you get that? Have you just been carrying around a random ring in your pocket in case the mood struck?”
“Jake gave me the diamond.” That sounded weird. “After we announced you were pregnant, he pulled me aside and explained how your grandmother left one for everyone. Each of the grandkids got a diamond from a brooch that belonged to your grandma.”
“Wait.” Tears fill her eyes. “I knew about those, but I thought they were just for the Spencer-King kids. That Grandma decided my branch of the family had enough money.”
“It was never about money.” Touching the ring, I turn it around so the stone sits straight on her finger. “It’s about family. Belonging. Tradition.” All things that I know are important to Hazel. “I quizzed Lucy about that gift shop where your grandmother took you for your twelfth birthday. The one where you got that ring on your pinkie?”
She blinks. “But that shop closed years ago.”
“I know. I tracked down the artist who made all the jewelry. Turns out he’s a talented craftsman. He makes some cool stuff when he’s given the right materials.” Touching the band, I point out the details. “That’s white gold from my late-grandma’s wedding band. And these little aquamarines and sapphires on the sides represent the lake and the ocean where you grew up.”
She turns her hand, admiring the flash of the stones. “Luke, it’s so beautiful.”
“So are you.” Kissing her softly, I smile. “I forgot the question part of all this.”
“Because it wasn’t supposed to be a proposal.”
“Right. Guess I fucked that up, huh?”
Laughing, she gives me a playful wave of encouragement. “You may proceed with the proposal.”
“Right.” Clearing my throat, I get down on one knee. I find myself staring at the rail of her hospital bed.
“Luke?”
“Yeah?”
“We can skip this tradition, too. I’d rather not stare at the top of my future husband’s head while he professes his love.”
“Good idea.” Lurching back up, I plant my ass in the chair and take hold of her hand. “Hazel Spencer—you are the love of my life, the mother of my children, and the most amazing woman I’ve ever met. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
“I will.” Laughing, she throws her arms around my neck. “I’d love to marry you.”
“Good.” I kiss her again, then grimace. “You’ll have to forgive me that I didn’t get your dad’s blessing. Didn’t really have time for a prison visit.”
“We don’t need my dad’s permission to live happily ever after.” She smiles. “Just our own.”
“In that case,” I say, darting a glance at our daughters, “permission granted.”
Touching my chin, she guides my gaze back to her face. “We’ll make our own blessings.”
And as my lips meet hers, I couldn’t agree more.
Epilogue
Hazel
“Parker and Calliope, I pronounce you not just husband and wife, but partners for life and parents of the world’s cutest baby. You’re invited to seal your union with a kiss.” Callie’s aunt smiles and lowers her Bible.
She’s a Lutheran pastor, so I give her a pass on her baby fib.
Luke’s not so willing. “To be clear,” he whispers as he leans close with Laurel in his arms. “She hasn’t seen all the babies in the world.”
“Obviously,” I whisper back.
“Our kids are the cutest, right?”
