Page 83 of The Love Comeback
She then turns to me, “Kade…” Her voice trails off as she realizes I’m now down on one knee, holding out the square-cut diamond engagement ring in my fingertips. “What are you…”
“He’s about to propose,duh,” Colton counters, rolling his eyes.
She looks over at him and giggles. “Did you know about this?”
“Of course I did!” Colton puffs his chest out with pride, and I can’t help but chuckle at the way he’s beaming. But still…
I clear my throat. “I need to say my piece.”
“Right, sorry.” Ella’s gaze focuses back on mine. “I’m just so overwhelmed.”
“I know.” I shoot her a wink. “And I had this big, dramatic plan to put the ring in your champagne … but your son reminded me that was more likely to land you in the ER than make you say yes.”
She laughs and I smile at the sound.
I take a deep breath, suddenly unsure of what I’m supposed to say to her. All those hours I spent preparing for this in the shower clearly are not coming back like I thought they would—so I just dig deep, right to the source of all my love. “Ella, my heart has been yours since we met all those years ago, and while life led us away from each other for some time, and while I’d do anything to go back and change that, I don’t see it as a hindrance. It’s a reminder that our love is long-lasting. It can withstand anything.”
Ella sniffles. “You’re right.”
“Now, we’re building this amazing life together, and I wouldnevertrade that for anything. I’d give it all up for you, time and time again. I would go to the ends of the earth for your love. You’re the greatest gift I have, and you come with a plus one that I love just as much.” I look past her to Colton, whose eyes are rimmed with moisture. “I want nothing more than to join your little family. I want the three of us to build an amazing, steady life. Together. This isn’t just about me and you—but Colton, too.”
“So…” I breathe in deeply. “Ella Louise Smart, will you make me the luckiest man in the world and marry me?”
“Yes,” she whispers. “I love you so much, Kade.”
I gently slide the diamond ring onto her ring finger. “I love you, too. And…” I reach into my pocket, pulling out a silver chain necklace with a hockey stick on it. “Colton, will you accept me as a permanent, forever part of your family?”
His eyes grow wide. “Wait… Is that… Is that for me?” His eyes drop to the necklace I’m holding. His name is engraved on the stick.
Ella chokes on a sob as she takes a closer look at it. “Kade…”
“His answer is just as important as yours,” I say softly, looking up at Colton, who takes a step forward. “Your opinion matters to me, Colton. I love you like my own, and I always will.”
He nods, reaching out and taking the necklace from my hand. “This is so cool.”
“Yeah? I wasn’t sure if you’d want to wear it, and you don’t have to. We can hang it up on your nightstand or something.”
“No, I wanna wear it.” Colton sniffles as I stand to my feet. He rushes to me, wrapping his arms around my waist. I hug him back, and Ella and I exchange a look as tears stream down her face.
“I love you,” she murmurs.
“I love you, too,” I say back and then repeat it to Colton. I kiss the top of his head as he clings to me. Ella stands to her feet, tossing the blanket to the couch. She wraps her arms around the two of us. Warmth spreads from her touch, and I lean over, catching her lips with mine.
I kiss her tenderly as I cling to both of them. They have no idea how much I love them both and how honored I am to get to call them my family. I wish I could’ve been there from the beginning—and I wish that Ella wouldn’t have had to endureall the hurt she did along the way—but at the same time, I can’t change the past.
All I can do is ensure that she gets the future and the love that she deserves.
“This is so amazing,” Colton says, leaning back as Ella pulls away. “This is the best night ever! I finally have a dad.”
“You’ve always had a dad,” I reassure him. “And I know Brett would besoproud of you, buddy.” I give him another tight squeeze. “And I’ll try to make him proud, too.”
“What do you mean?” Colton tilts his head in confusion, and Ella runs her hand across it.
“He just means that we’re going to try our very hardest to be the best parents to you that we can be. To make Brett and Katie proud.”
Colton grows silent. He appears to be in deep thought, and then suddenly gives us both a sly look as he addresses Ella. “Does this mean that you’ll finally give me a sibling?”
She looks at me and lets out a nervous giggle. “Maybe let’s get the wedding out of the way first.”
