I reached out and grabbed him, pulling him into the love circle. As Finn and I showered him with affection, Quinn squirmed like a rat tight in a trap. Only when I felt he’d been properly loved did I lethimup.
“I don’t like this new Emma,” he grumbled as he wiped his face. “You’re too happy. It freaksmeout.”
“I am happy,” I replied, grabbing Finn’s hand and squeezing. We exchanged a knowing glance before I addressed the room. “Finn and I have anannouncement.”
“We knoooow… you’re in loooove,” Kyle said, rolling his eyes as he exaggerated each word. “How gross for the restofus.”
Kenzie grabbed him, wrestling him down and covering his mouth withherhand.
“Sorry. Go ahead. I have him properly contained now,” shepanted.
“As I was saying, Finn and I have an announcement,” I repeated, but this time I stretched out my leg and kicked Kyle with it. He groaned throughKenzie’shand.
Every single member of my family looked at us expectantly. No doubt they were anticipating something less shocking than what I was about to tell them, but it wouldn’t matter. We were family, and, as such, supported each other through the good times and bad. And this, I’d decided, wasthebest.
“Finn and I are havingababy.”
* * *
“Where are we going?”I asked. “You know I don’t likesurprises.”
“I’m aware – although I have to say, I’m kind of bummed I wasn’t there for the biggest surprise of your life,” he said, reaching over to tap my belly. “You’re welcome for that, bytheway.”
“Oh, yes, thank you so much for impregnating me, Finn. I don’t say it oftenenough.”
“No, you reallydon’t.”
I could almost see his smirk, but since he’d required me to close my eyes the last minute of the ride, I only had his voice togoon.
“Okay, you can openthemnow.”
I blinked in my surroundings and smiled upon seeing the surprise. Of course, I loved it. “Ahh, you’re soromantic.”
We stepped out of the car and bought our tickets before taking a leisurely stroll over the dusty path. Up ahead was a Ferris wheel, and we took our placeinline.
“What, no priorityboarding?”
“No. Apparently your brother has no jurisdiction inthisarea.”
“His power has its limits,unfortunately.”
“No problem. No one really likes the Ferris wheel anyway.Tootame.”
“Idon’t like the Ferriswheel.”
“Then I didn’t make it exciting enough for you last time,” Finn said, nibbling on my neck. “I’ll be sure to remedy thattonight.”
Our turn arrived, and this time we both managed to embark on the ride with minimal hijinks. Finn wrapped his arms around me and I settled in to his comfortable embrace. This time, I knew what to expect, and I trusted the man with my life. When we came to a stop at the top of the ride, Finn unexpectedly slid down on one knee on the floor of the carriage, causing the carriage to swing and me toscream.
“What are you doing?” I asked, digging my nails into hisshoulders.
“Asking you to marry me,” he answered, gritting his teethinpain.
“You’rewhat?”
I wasn’t sure if I’d heard him correctly until he produced a box from his pocket and opened it for me to see. Suddenly the world around me ceased to exist. It was just Finn and I… and the white-gold ring gleaming in the carnivallights.
“I know you’re going to overthink this, so please hear me out. I love you, Emma. I’ve loved you since the day we met, and I realize we’ve only known each other for six months, and that we have a baby on the way, but this isn’t about any of that. This is about you and me and the really huge fact that we love each other. I don’t want to wait another second to show you that I’m committed to you forever. So Emma McKallister – will youmarryme?”
