Grounded.
Determined.
There’s no hesitation in his eyes as he closes the distance between us. Mercs steps in, placing the daisies and unicorn gently on one of the rainbow boxes before turning back to me. “The moment I saw you for the first time in that crazy giraffe onesie, I knew.”
I tilt my head, confused but smiling. “Knew what?”
“That you were going to impact my life in a way I never saw coming.”
I shrug lightly. “You changed my world too.”
He shakes his head immediately and cups my face in both hands, his palms warm against my cheeks, his thumbs brushing just beneath my eyes. “No, you don’t understand, Effa. You didn’t change my world. You changed me. You make me a betterman than I ever thought possible. You make the world brighter. You make everything better when you’re around.”
His voice isn’t loud.
It’s steady and certain.
He inhales sharply and steps back, and for a split second, I panic, unsure why he’s putting distance between us.
Then he takes my hand in his, his thumb strokes over my skin once… twice…
And then he drops to one knee.
The movement is quick, but it still feels like time slows.
My eyes widen, and my heart slams against my ribs so hard I’m certain the entire stadium can hear it. My breath comes in shallow bursts as I stare down at him.
“Vespa,” he says softly. “I love you more than words can say. You mean everything to me, and I know now that life’s so desperately short. So, I want to live every day to the fullest. I want to love, and I want to love fiercely. I want all of that love to be for you.”
My throat tightens.
“I know this is soon, but why wait? With what happened with Vex, I know life can be over in the blink of an eye, and I want to spend every moment I can with you by my side, as not only my best friend, but my confidant, my rock, and my wife…” My heart explodes with excitement as I gasp at his words, and he continues, “You’re everything. My beginning. My end. You’re my life, and I want you to marry me. So… will you… marry me?”
My eyes glisten, my body shaking all over as he looks into my eyes, his not wavering for a second as he looks at me with intention. I feel all of his emotions as he smiles. Mercs’ free hand reaches into his pants pocket, and he pulls out a ring box. My eyes open wider, and a shocked gasp leaves my lips. He chuckles, letting go of my hand, and brings it up in front of me.
“You have a ring?” I ask, and he smiles, nodding.
“I’ve had it since I asked your father’s permission to marry you.”
I scoff out a bewildered laugh as I shake my head. “When the hell did you ask my dad?”
He smiles. “When they were in Ligonier. I asked him the night we went to the pub, and you all metFort Affliction.”
Warmth explodes through me so intensely I almost sway. He planned this. He thought about this. He made sure.
But then I hesitate.
Not because I don’t want this.
Because I’m overwhelmed.
And I realize I haven’t actually answered.
His smile falters slightly, and he lowers the box and exhales. “So, I’m gathering by the lack of answer it’s—”
“Oh my God!” I nearly shout, grabbing his jacket collar and hauling him up to his feet. “Yes, Kaden Mercury. Iwillmarry you.”
The girls erupt behind us, cheering and cooing like we’re on some ridiculous reality show finale.
