“First, babe. I’m not having five more babies. So I’m ignoring you and that comment. Second, you stinker. You said you rented this place to record today. This is our home?”
He winks at me. “It’s about eleven years late but I finally did as I promised. Yeah, this is our home. I wanted to surprise you.”
“Surprise,” is cheered behind me.
I turn to find our family standing just off camera. My mother has a huge smile on her face. I sit frozen as I allow this information to sink in.
“Guys, I think I honestly surprised her. Let me know in the chat if you think she’s surprised. Could I have done a better job?” Bentley croons.
“Oh my God. You’re insane. I can’t believe you did this, Bent.
“Thank you. I’m totally surprised. I’m blown away,” I say as I tear up.
“Well, I have another surprise for our viewers. Garret dropped in with my new ring this morning. I realized I’ve never shown you the others. That got me thinking.
“Our viewers probably haven’t seen a championship ring before. I figured, why not show you and them all three of mine,” he says, pointing to the ring boxes he has set on the table.
“But you won three. There are four boxes there,” I murmur.
“Open them up and show the camera,” he says simply.
I open the first box and look at the ring. It’s from the first year he won. I lift the box and allow the camera guy to zoom in on it. Then I close it and place it back down, opening the next one on the table.
This one is from the second championship he won. I show it to the camera too. Then I place it down and go for the third box on the table between us.
When I open it, I nearly melt right out of my seat. With shaky hands, I place it back down on the table and cover my mouth. It’s not his newest ring. It’s an engagement ring that’s breathtaking.
Bentley has moved to kneel in front of me as I sit stunned. This has to be a dream I’m going to wake up from any minute now. Suddenly, it’s like someone turned the heat on.
I’m sweating and the room feels so hot. The ring is absolutely stunning. The Asscher cut center diamond has to be over four carats. And it’s surrounded by a halo of smaller diamonds.
“I promised we’d do the work together. If you don’t think we’re ready, don’t hesitate to tell me no. I’ll wait.
“But if you feel like you can trust me to always show up and be the man you need, I’d love for you to be my wife. It’s always been you, Zah. Wanting to be a better man for you has made me the man I am today.
“I love you more than anything. Can you see yourself with me? Will you marry me, baby?” he says while holding my face between his palms as he’s still on one knee.
“Yes, a million times yes. I love you too.”
Our family cheers and claps behind us. I think I’m still in shock as he slides the ring on my finger. He tugs me up from my seat and pulls me to him for a searing kiss as he holds me tight.
“It’s me and you, Zah. Nothing can take me away from you. I’m going to be here until the very end,” he says into my ear.
“I’m holding you to that, Coswell.”
“Please do, baby,” he croons.
“Hey, guys. The chat is asking to see the ring,” Erica says, reminding us we’re still on air.
Oh my God, he just proposed to me live on the air. I shake my head. We’re going to have to talk about what I meant about us not sharing too much of our personal relationship.
Right now, I’m too happy to care. I love this man and we’re getting married. My little crush turned into the love of my life.
Who would have thought?
Gilbert
“That motherfucker.”I seethe as I swipe my arm across the desk and knock everything to the floor.
