Page 95 of Cocky Player

His expression was heavy.So beautiful my heart ached as I looked at him.Watching him blink slowly.His shoulders heaved with a deep breath.“I wanted this to be private, and I don’t want to steal Shannon and Oliver’s night, but there’s something I’m dying to say to you and now, with everyone we love in the same room, I don’t want to wait anymore.”

“Okay….”

I glanced around.Near the windows, my parents stood.My dad had his arm wrapped around my mom’s back and she leaned into his shoulder.Tears made her eyes look glassy and all of a sudden it happened…

Connor dropped to his knee in front of me.

My mom gasped.

A cheer went up again.

Someone cried.

“I’ve had this ring in my dresser since before I bought you those earrings you’re wearing.In fact, I’ve had this ring since Christmas, but I wanted to wait.Give you time.”

“I didn’t need it,” I blurted.On his knee in front of me, hand out, a closed box in his palm, he went blurry.“Oh God.Are you doing this in a hospital?”

“I love you, Brenna Marie Kemper.I didn’t know what love was until you.I didn’t know I was capable of it and I certainly didn’t think I was capable of giving that to someone else.But you have made me a better man, a stronger man and I’m so thankful for you every single day.So, in front of our friends, your parents, and everyone we love the most…will you do the honor of becoming my wife?Having a family with me?Making babies and raising them with me?”

“Yes!”I cried and I dropped to my knees before he could stand.I threw my arms around him and kissed him, as the entire waiting room went up into a roar.We kissed.Sloppily and happily and it was beautiful.The most beautiful moment of my life until he popped open the box and slid an enormous, emerald cut ring onto my finger and kissed me again.

Soon, we were yanked apart.My dad pulled me in for a hug and my mom did the same.We were passed around with hugs and slaps on the backs and handshakes.

And finally, when Oliver walked into the room, watched us celebrating, we grew even louder when he threw his hands up in the air and shouted, “A girl!I have a healthy, beautiful girl!”

We cheered again.We waited until we could see the baby and then Shannon cried and hugged me while I apologized for getting engaged while she was in labor.She slapped the back of my head and told me to forget about it which only made me cry harder.

The rush of energy and happiness turned to sleepiness and exhaustion, Connor and I went to his home…soon to be our home…and we celebrated.

We celebrated every beautiful moment of how we’d met, what we’d been through, and what we’d face together.

Forever.Always.

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