Page 149 of Sinful Promise

Dr. Weisman removes the probe. “Now, Dr. Brooks might want to do one last check, but you’ve got the all-clear from me. However, I suggest you start taking a prenatal vitamin as soon as possible, and I can get you booked in for a twelve week scan.”

“That’s great, thank you.” I’m now crying so hard that it comes out as more of a mumble.

“Congratulations.” She leaves, closing the door behind her.

Zara hugs me again. “Oh, Em, I’m so happy for you. You’re going to be a wonderful mother, and I’ll help as much as I can.”

“Zara—”

“And Bianca, of course,” Zara pulls back just enough to look at me. “Oh, the rest of the family is going to be so pleased! Especially Sasha. She keeps asking when Auntie Emily is going to have a baby for her to play with.”

I groan.

The sound of Danil clearing his throat has Zara and me breaking apart.

Though when I look around for Danil, it takes me a moment to notice why exactly he was trying to get my attention.

My heart stops, then goes rampant when I find him down on one knee beside the bed. “Oh, my god! What are you doing?”

He grins. “Something that I’ve wanted to do for a long time.”

“Danil…” My voice cracks as I look down at my best friend, the father of my child, and the man I love more than anything in the entire world.

“Emily, I started falling in love with you the moment I met you, and I’ve been falling harder and harder ever since.”

I wail as I bury my face in my hands. “I can’t cry anymore. I’m so dehydrated!”

Danil laughs, and I lower my hands so I can watch his eyes crinkle in that way that makes my heart flutter.

“Every day I’m so thankful that my idiot of an older brother managed to get Zara to marry him because it was at their wedding that I realized I was falling for you. When we stole that bottle of tequila and sat in the corner drinking and judging everyone’s dance moves.”

I laugh. “Mikhail’s were the worst.”

“You made me laugh so much that night, more than I ever had in my entire life, and I realized then that there was something special about you. That perhaps fate had worked its magic and brought us together somehow. I’m just sorry that I didn’t act on my feelings sooner.”

I wipe my eyes. “Me too.”

He shrugs. “I guess we’re both a little stubborn.”

I laugh.

Zara sniffs. “Oh, god, now I’m crying,”

“I don’t have a ring yet, but?—”

I hastily wipe my tear-stained cheeks. “That doesn’t matter. I don’t need a ring. I just need you, Danil Koslov.”

Danil bows his head, and I see his shoulders shake as he, too, is overcome with emotion.

My throat closes up. “That wasn’t meant to make you cry!”

“I promise I’m crying out of happiness.” Danil’s face breaks out into a smile as he looks up at me under his dark lashes.

“You need to ask the question, Danil,” Zara whispers, and both of us start laughing.

“Oh, yeah.” Danil chuckles. “Emily Mullens, would you do me the greatest honor of becoming my wife?”

My throat is so thick with emotion that I’m not sure I can answer. So, I just nod and hope that it’s enough.

---