Page 26 of Red Rose Cupcake

“I love you so much,” he murmurs between kisses. “You’re everything to me, and now we’re starting a family.”

As he pulls back slightly, I catch my breath, resting my hands on his chest. But before I can say anything else, Knox steps away from me, a serious look on his face.

“Wait here,” he says, holding up a finger. “Don’t move.”

“Knox, what are you—”

“Just wait,” he insists, disappearing down the hallway.

I stand there, bewildered, still trying to process everything when he returns, holding something behind his back. He steps toward me, his green eyes gleaming with mischief and love.

“Rosie,” he begins, his voice steady and full of emotion. “I was going to wait for the right moment, but… there’s no better moment than right now.”

Before I can fully comprehend what’s happening, Knox drops down on one knee, revealing a small black velvet box in his hand. My breath hitches in my throat as he opens it, revealing a stunning diamond ring that catches the light in the most beautiful way.

“Marry me,” he says, his voice thick with emotion. “Not because of the baby, but because I can’t imagine my life withoutyou. I’ve known from the start that you’re it for me. So, will you marry me, Rosie? Be mine, forever?”

I stare down at him, tears streaming down my face again. My heart is pounding in my chest, and my whole body feels like it’s buzzing with happiness and disbelief.

“Yes,” I whisper, my voice shaky. “Yes, of course.”

Knox lets out a relieved laugh, slipping the ring onto my finger before standing and pulling me into his arms. He kisses me—long, deep, and full of promise. My hands tangle in his hair, and for a moment, everything else fades away. It’s just him and me, and this overwhelming sense of love and joy that fills every part of me.

When we finally pull apart, I can’t help but laugh again, wiping at my tears. “I can’t believe this. You had the ring all along?”

Knox grins, brushing his thumb over my cheek. “I’ve had it for a while. Just waiting for the perfect moment.”

I shake my head, still in awe of everything that’s happened in the last few minutes. “You really had this all planned out, didn’t you?”

He pulls me close, resting his forehead against mine. “I’ve always known, Rosie. It’s always been you.”

Chapter 18

ROSIE

I stare at myself in the mirror, feeling a surge of excitement mixed with nervous energy. The reflection staring back at me is almost unrecognizable. The woman standing there in a strapless ivory gown, with her hair pinned up in elegant curls, doesn’t look like someone who used to think love was too complicated. She looks like a woman who’s about to marry the man of her dreams.

My gown hugs my curves in all the right places, cascading down in soft waves of silk and lace. Candace outdid herself with the styling. I look… I feel like a bride. My heart races as I smooth my hands over the dress, glancing down at the tiny baby bump just beginning to show.

“Girl, you look stunning,” Candace says, appearing behind me in the mirror. She’s grinning from ear to ear, holding a champagne glass filled with sparkling water because we’re keeping it classy today. “Knox is going to lose his mind when he sees you.”

“I hope so,” I laugh, but I can feel the nervous flutter in my stomach. This is it. My wedding day. I take a deep breath, smoothing down my dress one last time before turning to Candace. “Do I look like a woman about to say ‘I do’?”

“You look like a woman about to change her last name,” she teases, winking at me. “Now come on, it’s showtime.”

* * *

KNOX

I’m standing at the altar, watching the doors at the end of the aisle, my heart pounding like I’m about to step into the biggest game of my life. But this isn’t a game—it’s the real deal.

I can feel the heat of anticipation coursing through me, every muscle in my body tensed as I wait for Rosie. My Rosie.

I adjust my tie, my fingers twitching as I catch the faint scent of her perfume drifting through the open doors. The moment those doors swing open, I know my life is about to change forever.

When she appears, it feels like the air has been knocked out of my lungs.

Rosie.

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