"I'll be there." He grins suddenly. "Though I have to say, I never thought you'd beat me to the altar."
"Yeah, well, life's full of surprises." I check my watch. "I should go. Still need to pick up the food and make sure everything's ready at the lake."
As I head for the door, Aiden calls after me. "Hey, Ax?"
I turn, one hand on the doorknob.
"She's going to say yes." His confidence is unwavering. "Anyone who's got you this twisted up must be pretty special. And anyone pretty special would be crazy to say no."
Relief settles over me with the feeling of having my family behind me, of not facing this massive life change alone. It's been just me for so long, handling everything on my own terms. But this, having Aiden show up exactly when I need him, offering support without being asked, reminds me of what family truly means.
"I'll see you at seven," I say, my voice rougher than I intend.
Aiden just nods, understanding everything I'm not saying.
The drive back to town passes in a blur of anticipation and last-minute mental checklists. I pick up the gourmet picnic basket from the catering company, double-check that the champagne is properly chilled, and swing by the florist for the bouquet of wildflowers I ordered, the same kind I gave Sadie the night after we first said "I love you."
By the time I pull up to the lake, my hands are steady but my heart is racing. The evening light is perfect, golden and warm as it filters through the trees. The string lights I hung earlier today are ready to be switched on when the sun sets. The blanket is laid out, the picnic arranged, everything in its place.
I take out my phone to text Sadie, when it chimes with an incoming message from Aiden.
"All set for 7. Don't overthink it. She loves you."
I smile, tapping out a quick thanks before pocketing my phone. I pull out the ring box one last time, opening it to make sure the ring is still as perfect as when I picked it up this morning. The diamonds catch the late afternoon sun, sending tiny rainbows dancing across my hand.
This is it. In less than an hour, I'll be asking Sadie to spend her life with me. To build a family together, me, her, and Poppy. To wake up beside me every morning and fall asleep in my arms every night.
I snap the box closed, tuck it safely in my pocket, and head back to my truck to wait for her. With each step, certainty grows in my chest, expanding until it feels like my ribs might crack from the pressure.
This is it. This is forever. And I've never wanted anything more.
Chapter 33
Sadie
Something's different.
I notice it the moment Axel picks me up for our evening at the lake. It's in the way his hands drum against the steering wheel, the slight tension in his jaw, the extra care he takes helping me with Poppy's car seat.
"You look beautiful," he says, his gaze lingering on my face longer than usual. I'm wearing nothing special, just jeans and a simple blue top, but the warmth in his eyes makes me feel like I'm draped in silk.
"You okay?" I ask as he starts the truck, noticing how he keeps checking his pocket, like he's making sure something's still there.
"Never better." His smile seems different too, softer around the edges, more vulnerable somehow. "Just excited about tonight."
Poppy babbles happily from her car seat, reaching toward Axel with grabby hands. "Ah! Ah!" It's her version of his name, and it never fails to make him beam.
"That's right, princess," he says, glancing at her in the rearview mirror. "We're going on an adventure."
I study his profile as he drives, trying to pinpoint what feels off. Not bad off, just different. He's showered recently; I can smell his soap. His hair is carefully styled. And he's wearing the blue button-down I mentioned once brought out his eyes.
"You're staring," he says without looking away from the road, a small smile playing at his lips.
"You're being weird," I counter, but I'm smiling too.
He reaches for my hand, bringing it to his lips for a quick kiss. "Weird good or weird bad?"
"Just… weird."
