“You two are beautiful together,” Janae said softly, lowering her camera. “These are going to be stunning.”
“One last one, right?” Rolani asked, looking over at Janae.
She smiled and nodded, already adjusting her camera angle.
Rolani grabbed Kennedi’s hand and pulled her close. His heart was pounding so hard he could hear it in his ears. He’d been planning this moment for two weeks—longer, if he was honest—but now that it was here, his hands were shaking.
He reached into his pocket, fingers closing around the ring. He’d picked it up three days ago. Simple, elegant, a solitaire diamond that caught the light the same way her eyes did when she smiled.
Without breaking eye contact, he slid the ring onto her finger.
Kennedi’s breath caught. “Rolani…what are you doing?”
His throat was tight, pulse racing. He swallowed hard, trying to find the words he’d practiced in his head a hundred times.
“I know this is crazy,” he started, voice rougher than he intended. “We did a lot of shit backwards. Shit, I’m doing it right now.” He laughed, nervous, his thumb rubbing circles on her hand. “But I want you to know I’m very serious about you. About us. And these pictures don’t feel right without a ring on your finger.”
He took a breath, steadying himself even as his heart threatened to beat out of his chest.
“So before we take this last picture, will you wear this ring and consider marrying me?” His voice dropped lower. “And this is not for an answer today. Unless you feel how I feel. I’m rambling and shit.”
He stepped back, hand going to the back of his neck—a nervous habit he couldn’t shake.
Kennedi looked down at the ring, then back up at him. Tears streamed down her face, and for a terrifying second, he couldn’t read her expression.
Then she smiled. “I will.”
The relief, the joy, the love—it all hit him at once.
He handed her the onesie with trembling hands, and together they held it up between them. The camera clicked as he kissed her, soft and sure, the ring catching the light on her finger. She snapped a few more pictures of the happy couple to capture the moment.
When they pulled apart, Janae lowered her camera, wiping at her own eyes. “Got it,” she whispered. “This was so sweet and nice to be a part of.”
She quietly packed up her equipment, giving them space, the weight of what had happened still settling over the room. When she was ready to leave, she came over and hugged Kennedi tight.
“Congratulations,” she said softly. “You two are beautiful together. I’ll have the photos ready in a week.”
“Thank you,” Kennedi managed, voice thick with emotion.
Janae squeezed Rolani’s shoulder on her way out. “You did good, bro.”
He nodded, throat still too tight to speak.
The door closed behind her, and suddenly it was the two of them in the quiet studio.
Kennedi looked down at her hand—at the ring catching the light, the diamond sitting perfectly on her finger. She wiggled her hand and stomped her foot.
“Rolani, I—” She looked up at him, tears still streaming. “I can’t believe you did that.”
He pulled her close, both hands cupping her face. “I meant every word, Ken. And I want you. For real. Forever.”
She kissed him then, deep and slow, tasting salt from her tears.
When they pulled apart, she laughed through her crying. “I look a mess.”
“You look perfect.” He wiped under her eyes gently. “But I’m not done.”
She frowned. “What?”
