“Reese, I fell in love with you when we were fifteen,” Roan said, his voice carrying across the silent room. “And even though a lot of time passed between now and then, I never stopped believing that you’re my soulmate. You’re the woman I would walk through a snowstorm for every single day just to be by your side.” His voice broke, sounding for a moment like a scratchy record. “Whatever you need, I will be there for you. Will you marry me?”
He opened the box. The diamond ring sparkled under the twinkling lights.
“Yes,” she said immediately, her voice choked with tears. “Yes, I will marry you.”
Roan slid the ring onto her finger, his hand shaking from cold or emotion or exhaustion. Maybe all three.
She kissed him gently, not wanting to cause him any pain. But he pulled her tight against him anyway. The room exploded once again in applause and cheers. The four kids rushed forward, surrounding them in a group hug. All six of them standing on stage together, crying and laughing.
Roan pulled back slightly. “I’m sorry your corsage was ruined. I really wanted to see it on your wrist.”
“I prefer the ring,” Reese said, flushing.
The crowd laughed—warm, affectionate, joyful.
“I’ll get you a new corsage,” Roan promised. “Every day if you want one.”
“That won’t be necessary.” She waved her hand with her engagement ring on it. “This is a fine reminder of how much you love me.”
“Oh, I certainly do.” He kissed her again, and the room cheered louder.
The doors to the front entrance opened, and paramedics rushed in with a stretcher and equipment.
Dr. Lawrence immediately moved to Roan. “Okay, Romeo, your three minutes are up. It’s time.”
“But—“
Dr. Lawrence put up his hand. “No arguments. That was the deal.”
“You’re no fun at all, Doc,” Roan said.
The paramedics helped Roan off the stage. He was moving more slowly now, the adrenaline wearing off, exhaustion setting in. They loaded him onto the stretcher despite his protests.
“I’m coming with you,” Reese said.
“Wait, it’s our engagement night,” Roan said, grabbing her hand as they wheeled him toward the door. “Jason, take a picture. I want to remember this.”
Jason snapped a photo of the two of them, Reese holding up her hand to get the ring in the picture. Then, the guys took him out on the stretcher, the crowd parting to let them through.
The kids followed them out to the ambulance.
“You’re okay, right?” Marcus asked Roan. “For real?”
Roan nodded. “I’m fine, bud. Just need to get checked out.”
“You better be okay,” Cody said, his voice rough. “Because we just got you.”
“I’m not going anywhere. I promise,” Roan said.
“I’ll follow you in my car,” Jason said to Reese. “If you want to go with him. I think fiancées trump twin brothers.”
“Thank you,” Reese said before turning to give Mauve a hug. “I’ll see you both later.”
They loaded Roan into the ambulance. Reese climbed in beside him. As they pulled away, she looked back through the window to see eight people standing together in the glow of the restaurant’s light. Grace had her arm around Emma's shoulders. Walter stood beside Julia, his hand on her back. Marcus and Cody flanked them on either side, close enough their shoulders touched. Jason had pulled Mauve against his chest, her head tucked beneath his chin.
She waved to them and they all waved back.
The ambulance turned the corner, and they disappeared from view. But Reese could still see them in her mind, standing together in the December cold just in case she looked back. Just in case she needed to know they'd be there when she returned.
