She grimaces. “I bet I look like the Bride of Frankenstein.”
“You look beautiful, just like you always do.”
That makes her crack a smile, but then all too quickly, tears fill her eyes. “I am sorry that I lied to you, and that I caused you so much worry and trouble. That I snuck away from you like that. I’m sorry I almost lost you.”
Tears are spilling down her cheeks now, and her fingers are trembling in mine. “Baby, please don’t apologize, for anything. You’re worth any amount of trouble. I will fight for you and our happiness until the day I fucking die, you do understand that don’t you?”
Her lip tremors. She gives me a small nod. I can tell she’s still worried, and I have what I hope is the perfect way to reassure her. I drop down onto one knee, wincing slightly at the pain in my hip. Fallon got in some cheap shots before I brought him down.
Her eyes go wide, and she frowns, shuffling even higher up the bed. “Maddox, what are you doing?”
I slide my hand into my pocket, producing the only ring I could come up with at such short notice. It’s neon pink plasticand decorated with a pony. Her hands fly to her mouth, and she lets out a gasp. I hope it’s a happy gasp, not a “what the fuck is he thinking?” gasp.
“Ellie Madison, you are the love of my life. The light in my darkness. My rock, my angel, my Goddess. Wherever you are is home, Ellie, and I want to be home for the rest of eternity. Please, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
She stares at me. Then at the ring I’m holding out. The wait is agonizing. Does she have doubts? I was sure she felt the same.
“Are you sure, Maddox?” she asks quietly. “This isn’t just a knee-jerk response to what happened?”
“Yes, I’m sure, and no, it’s not a knee-jerk reaction. I was planning on doing this before you sent me on a wild Cherry Garcia goose chase.”
She licks her lips and makes a soft moaning sound. “Please tell me you at least put it in the freezer.”
“Did not. It will be in a sticky puddle on the floor by the time we get home.”
She giggles, her eyes drifting to the ring again. She still hasn’t given me an answer. Maybe it is too soon. “I love you, Ellie, whether you say yes or no, or not right now. It’s okay. I can wait. I’m probably being a jackass, doing this while you’re lying in a hospital bed coming to terms with everything that happened over the last few days.” Even as I say it, I feel like an asshole. Why didn’t I hold off? Let her recover and then buy a proper fucking ring, at least.
She reaches out and strokes my cheek. Then she gives me the world’s sweetest smile, one that melts me entirely. “Maddox, my answer is yes. Yes, with every fiber of my being. I love you, so much. So yes. Absolutely one hundred percent, yes. Now give me a kiss and put that gorgeous pony ring on my finger.”
I experience one of the purest moments of joy I have ever known in my entire life. This woman, this incredible woman,wants to be mine. I scramble up and kiss her as gently and carefully as I can. I still feel the heat between us, despite the circumstances. When I pull back, the fire in her eyes tells me she feels it too, split lip and stitches aside.
“Hold that thought, big guy,” she says, winking.
I perch at the side of the bed and slide the ring onto her finger. She holds it up, admiring it from all angles like it’s the fucking Hope Diamond.
“I’m sorry about the ring. It was in the gift shop, in the kids’ section. If it’s any consolation, I do also have a matching pink pony necklace and some clip-on earrings.”
She laughs, and it’s a beautiful sound. “It’s perfect, Mad. Anyway, it’s not the ring I care about, you know that. It’s what it means.”
I do know that. But I also know that as soon as possible, I will be replacing that clunky plastic with something far more appropriate. “Are you up to a few visitors?” I ask.
She nods enthusiastically. “Yes. Especially if they bring candy.”
I go to the door and find that Mason is no longer alone. They’re all here. My brothers, their wives, King, and my dad. All looking at me expectantly. I guess Mase couldn’t keep the news to himself. I usher them all inside, and they crowd out the small room.
“Family,” I announce proudly. “She said yes.”
Chapter 43
Ellie
It’s a big day, and I’m a little nervous. It’s the first time that our two worlds have fully collided, and given the personalities involved, anything could happen. My whole family, his whole family, the whole of their chaos? I’m not sure how all that energy will be contained in one room. It’ll probably break some kind of law of physics.
I’m in my office, putting the finishing touches to my makeup. I know this is a weird place to be getting ready, but I had work to do, even today. Maddox was happy getting everything ready without me. In fact, he’s in his element, full of a new level of confidence and efficiency that tells me he is very much progressing.
I smile as I think of him. My handsome, hot, hellish, complicated man. I send a little prayer up to whichever Goddess cares to listen to me and say thank you. I’m so incredibly lucky.
Three months have passed since Frank Fallon abducted me. Even now, when I think about it, my heart races and my mouth goes dry. Dr. Patel tells me this is normal. It’s a post-traumatic response that I can manage, and that will ease with time.
