JJ was still smiling as she shook her head.“I’m pretty sure nothing will ever compare to this feeling.”
Baz came over, peeked at the babies.“What feeling is that?”
“This happiness.”She felt her chest warm.“I can’t think of anything that could make me any happier than bein’ home with them.”She looked over at him, grinned.“And you.”
“I can think of one thing that would makemehappier.”
Surprised that he could possibly say that, JJ pursed her lips.“Seriously?”
He nodded, then right before her eyes, Baz eased down on one knee.
She sat up quickly.“What are you doing?”
Baz’s turquoise blue eyes blazed with what she had come to realize was pure, absolute love.She knew because she’d never seen it until him.
“Jessica Nicole James—”
JJ shook her head.“What are you doing?”she repeated, her heart beating triple time.
“You’ve changed my entire existence from the first day I met you.”
She continued to shake her head, although her heart was swelling in her chest.
“And you’re right, there’s not much that could be better than this moment.All four of us home, safe, healthy.”
Her head changed direction when she nodded her agreement.
“There is one thing that could make this moment absolutely perfect.”
“What’s that?”The words came out creaky and weak.
“If you’ll agree to marry me,” he said, his voice thick with emotion.“Will you marry me, JJ?”
That was a question she’d longed to hear.At the same time, she’d never felt the need to rush it.Not with Baz.
But now that he’d asked…
Her nod was fast, her smile even faster.“Of course I will.Yes.”
JJ threw her arms around him before he could get the ring on her finger.She wanted to hold onto him for a minute.He was the one thing in her life that she knew she could depend on, the one person who would be there to hold her together when she needed it.They’d been through a lot together, and while she hoped they didn’t have as many speed bumps in the future, she wanted him to be by her side for all ups and downs, highs and lows.
“I love you,” she whispered in his ear.
“I love you, too.”
She pulled back to look at him.“You know if I change my last name to Buchanan, no one can call me JJ anymore.It won’t make sense.”
He laughed as he slid the ring on her finger.“I’m sure we’ll figure it out.”
JJ stared at the diamond that glittered on her finger.It was exactly what she would’ve picked out for herself.Not too big, not too small.The marquise-cut diamond was bold, the glitter intense.Both somehow suited her personality.
She looked up, met his gaze.“Do we have to have a big wedding?”
“Do you want a big wedding?”
She shrugged.As much as she’d loved helping to plan Brantley and Reese’s wedding, JJ wasn’t sure she wanted all the hoopla.
“Maybe something small, intimate.Family and close friends, only.”
