Knee.
(Not both.)
I try to swallow, but my throat is stuck trying to process my breathing, which isn’t going so great rn either.
One hand goes into the pocket on the inside of his jacket, and he pulls out a small black velvet box. It’s all I can do not to hyperventilate at the sight of him, that box in hand, that look in his eye, especially afterthatspeech he just made in front of forty million viewers and absolutely anyone and everyone in his industry.
He opens the box and an absolutely stunning ring sits within it, staring up at me. It’s fairly simple, a plain silver band with the most gorgeous rock I’ve ever seen—large, but not obnoxious, emerald cut, with beveled edges that make it look somehow vintage and modern at the same time.
“I promised myself if I somehow won tonight, that meant luck was on my side and I’d do this tonight, instead of waiting for when we’re on our vacation this summer. Make me the luckiest man in the world, Gem. Make our forever official.”
He takes the ring out and holds it up, his hand shaking slightly in the moment.
I nod my head and squeal, “Yes, yes, yes!” as I dive for his face, taking it between my hands and kissing him.
He stands up faster than I was prepared for, his bad knee cracking with the motion, and whisks me up off my feet, spinning us around a couple times, before placing me down again. He pulls back, staring into my eyes with those bright tanzanite ones of his, and then he looks down at my finger as he slides the ring on. It’s a perfect fit, because of course it is. This man nails everything he does when it comes to me.
“Yes?” he asks again, hands still holding mine.
“Yes!” I say back, because apparently I can’t form a single other word. But my smile damn near reaches my eyes and I think that’s enough for him.
“You’ll be…” he pauses dramatically, looking between my ring finger and my eyes, this stupid grin on his face. “Mrs. Gem Stone?” he asks, like he just dropped the punch line of a joke.
My head drops back and I let out the most unladylike cackle I’ve ever heard.
“That was thecheesiestthing you’ve ever said, Stone.” I’m still laughing, though, so I guess I like the cheese factor?
“You gonna tell me that shit isn’t fate?” he whispers against my lips, coming back in for another kiss. “Our names even go together, Gem. This was always meant to be.”
“I guess so,” I tell him, nuzzling his nose with mine and placing a gentle kiss on his lips.
“Our forever begins now,” he tells me against my lips.
I shake my head no, and he pulls back to look down at me, a little puzzled.
“No?” he asks. “Too soon?” He looks slightly worried, but I put his fears at ease.
“Our forever began almost thirteen years ago, Stone. We’ve been living it every day since.”
And that’s what we keep doing. Forever. Together.
EPILOGUE
AARON
Ten years later
She let me marry her, my Gem.
That next year she became Gem Stone. Cheesy as shit, but utterly perfect. Meant for me. We’re meant for each other, is more like it. Always have been.
I’ve kept my promise to her.
I’m still working on myself. Never stopped, really.
I’ve come a long way. She’s helped with that, massively.
Don’t think I’d have made it to who I’ve become if she hadn’t let her big heart have some compassion for me, stuck it out with me.
