Once Presley steps out, we walk together as a family through downtown, the butterflies in my stomach becoming more relentless.
As we near the coffee shop, Rowan reaches for the door.
“Rowan, wait.”
She turns, confusion knitting her brows, especially when she sees the wide grin on Presley’s face.
“I know this is technically supposed to be a yes day for the kids,” I begin, my voice steadier than I feel, “but I was hoping you’d say yes to me.”
“What did you have in mind?”
Throughout my career, I’ve faced hundreds of nerve-racking situations. Have had to make split-second decisions that could mean the difference between life and death.
I’ve never felt as nervous as I do right now.
But I’ve also never felt as certain.
“Marrying me,” I respond as I drop to one knee.
She releases an audible gasp, her hand flying to her mouth.
Locals and tourists mill around us, some stopping to watch, but I don’t see them.
All I see is her.
The woman who burst into my life wearing taco pajama pants and walking a dog named Bark Twain.
The woman who brought noise back into my house.
Color back into my days.
Breath back into my lungs.
Love back into my heart.
“A year ago in this very spot, a woman who’s my opposite in every way lost control of her dog and bumped into me, forcing me to spill coffee all over myself. At the time, I wasn’t living,” I admit through the heaviness in my throat. “I was existing. I thought loving again would dishonor what I lost. I still miss Cora. I always will. But loving you doesn’t erase her. Doesn’t replace her. It just…proves my heart survived.”
Her eyes fill with tears and she swipes at a few that have escaped.
“Knowing what I do now about strength and second chances, I still marvel at you. At your courage. At the way you choose joy even when there are no guarantees.” I swallow hard at the reminder, but push through anyway.
“I know we promised to live for now. To stay in the present. Not plan too far ahead.” I take a breath. “But I want to call you my wife. I want to be your husband. Not because it promises us forever. But because it promises us today. And tomorrow. And every day we’re lucky enough to get.”
I open the ring box.
“Marry me, Rowan. Say yes to this life. Say yes to me.”
For a moment, she just stares at me.
Snow falling. Lights glowing. My kids holding their breath beside me.
Then she laughs, watery and overwhelmed. “Like I could ever say no to you.”
I jump to my feet, tugging her against me as I bring the ring up to her finger. “So that’s a yes?”
“That’s a yes,” she confirms.
I crush my lips against hers as several people clap and cheer, including Presley and Jemmy who say something about crush business.
