Ethan is staying overnight with Charlotte and the twins. They are being moved to a private room. I don’t want to leave, but I’m excited to return to Nathan. I know he’ll want to come up tomorrow as soon as visiting allows.
As soon as I walk out of the maternity ward doors, Nathan comes rushing towards me, smiling from ear to ear as he lifts me off my feet and into a hug.
“Nathan, they’re amazing. She did amazing. They let me cut Max’s umbilical cord.”
With one arm around my waist, he cups my face with the other and kisses my lips before lowering my feet back to the floor.
“Come on, let's get you home. You must be shattered.”
I’m running on pure adrenaline now, and I know this high will start wearing off once everything begins to catch up with me. “I am. Where are Henry and Meg?”
Ethan came out to tell them the babies were both here and Mum and twins were doing fine while I cuddled Holly.
“They went home after Ethan went back inside.”
“I can’t believe you all sat in the waiting room for most of the day.”
Nathan shrugs. “Where else would we be?” Wrapping his arm over my shoulder, he ushers me along with him.
“I love you.”
He smiles. “Not as much as I love you.”
“I can’t wait for you to meet them, Nathan. They are so tiny. I was scared to hold them.”
Nathan squeezes my hand. “I can’t wait either.”
It’s dark out when we step into the outdoor car park, which is now practically empty.
His car unlocks as we approach, and he opens the passenger door for me.
“Such a gentleman.”
I sit down, about to swing my legs into the footwell, when Nathan's hands grip my knees as he crouches down in front of me.
He clears his throat and lets out a deep breath.
“Okay, I was going to wait to do this, but fuck it.”
He reaches over to the glove box, flips the cover, digs around, and then slaps it closed, holding something in the palm of his hand.
“Listen, I know we’ve not been together long, but I don’t remember a time when I wasn’t with you. Is that weird?”
I shake my head. “No, not weird at all. I know what you mean.” Because he makes everything better.
He blows out a breath and reaches for my hand. “And it’s no secret that I love you more than I’ve ever loved anyone else.”
“Ditto.”
“And I’m sure some people will have opinions on this.”
I squeeze his hand. “On what?” I ask. I’m exhausted, and honestly, the adrenaline from earlier is wearing off now.
“Me asking you to marry me.”
Shaking my head, I open and close my mouth, a croaked sound coming out.
Blinking at him, I swallow again until I find my voice. “Sorry, what?”
