“Yes, absolutely,” I respond just as playfully as he did.
Jake arches an eyebrow as he drops his arm to his side. “And not Clint’s mom?”
“Never.” I wrinkle my nose as Iris glances down at her watch. “I wasn’t the least bit jealous of her staring at your ass. Or when you talked to her. Or when she touched your arm and couldn’t stop imagining your mouth on hers.”
“No, you weren’t jealous at all.” His face is deadpan now.
“I had no desire to swat her hand away and tell her to leave my man alone.” Grace’s eyes flutter shut as she sighs against my chest.
Why did I think today was a bad day? This is the best day ever. I have my boyfriend at my side, our soon to be daughter in my arms, and all my friends and family are ready to back me up. I’m the luckiest girl alive.
My mom marches over to Bella and Ruby, huddling up with them as they whisper about something and stare at me. What in the hell is going on? Do I have a bugger in my nose? Seriously, you’d think they’d tell me if I did.
‘What?’ I mouth at them.
They frown as if they’re flustered about something. Do they want to hold Grace? Of course, they do. That’s a stupid question. She’s the most adorable baby in the world.
“One second,” I call out in their direction and take a step toward them.
“Wait.” Jake grasps my chin, regaining my attention. “You’re so territorial.” His eyes gleam with happiness. “I happen to love that about you.”
“That’s good.” The butterflies in my stomach that always seem to hover around when she’s near flutter in unison at the heat in his eyes. “Because I’m never going to stop telling everyone that you’re mine.”
His face turns serious as the voices in the background fade away. “I’m yours, yours and Grace’s, so you never have to worry about telling anyone to leave me alone. Everyone is always going to know I belong to you.”
With his free hand, he digs into his pocket, pulls out a ring box, and drops down to one knee, as the crowd around us sucks in a breath. The lack of noise is eerie, leaving only the din from the courtrooms on the other floors to fill the space.
“Em, you’re the most gorgeous, intelligent, amazing, big-hearted woman that I’ve ever known. I’m the luckiest man in the world to have you by my side. Will you do me the honor of letting me be your husband? I know we did things backwards.”
The corners of his lips arch upward. “But I wouldn’t change a second of it.” He lifts one brow, quirking his face in a grimace. “Unless it was going back to the beginning to tell you how I felt and asking you to choose me from the beginning.”
“There was never another choice.” My hands shake, causing me to grip Grace tighter so I don’t drop her. “I’d always choose you.”
He licks his lips. “I know that now. I love you and Grace with every ounce of my being. You’re my past, present, andfuture, and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you. If you’ll have me.”
“Yes, then, now, and always.” A tear slips down my cheek as he slides the ring onto my finger. “A million times yes.”
He launches to his feet as Ruby grabs Grace from me, and I’m in his arms.
His lips cover mine in the sweetest kiss as I throw my arms around his neck. A daughter and a fiancé in one day? Yeah, best day ever.
“Let’s do this people.” Judge Keller claps from behind me. “Let’s make this beautiful family official.”
My stomach drops to my feet. Surely, she doesn’t mean we’re getting married today, right? Shit. I glance down at my clothes.
“Judge Keller, can Emily have a few minutes to change?” He tips his head toward a bag near the restroom door. “Emily was busy protecting the public, so she hasn’t had time to change yet.”
“By all means.” She tips her head toward the bathroom. “Nothing less for two of Brookhaven’s finest.”
Twenty minutes later, we’re standing in front of Judge Keller taking photos while dodging confetti. The entire courtroom is littered with it.
I’m afraid Judge Keller is going to regret letting this group of people converge in her courtroom. I smile while taking everything in. But I don’t regret it for one second. I glance down at my dress. Not only did he ask me to marry him, but he also remembered to bring my clothes.
Although, my BDUs do make my ass look good.
Everything is perfect. Especially after Jake reassured me that I’d have plenty of time to plan our wedding, and it wasn’t happening today.
Epilogue
