Page 52 of The Interception
“She said that?” I say with a chuckle, knowing well that Savannah is as bustling and rich in history as Charleston.
“I’m not even mad you managed to get her to stay down there.” He shrugs. “Already feels like I’ve gained a brother, so accepting you as a permanent part of the family makes me happy.”
“Yeah?” I ask, my nerves settling a little.
“Yeah. Also, I’ve got some goods for you.” He slides a ring box across the table.
“This sounds like a drug deal.”
Andrew snickers. “I’m not saying you have to propose with this, but Layne has loved this ring ever since she was a kid. Lottie got my Nonnie’s ring, but Nonnie’s sister left this one for Layne when she passed. Aunt Marie never had kids, but she was like another grandmother to Layne and me.”
I open the box to find a dainty, delicate diamond ring. It’s simple but elegant, and if I searched for a decade I would never find one more perfect for Layne. I swallow a lump in my throat. This is really real. I’m, hopefully, about to have a wife. Maybe kids in the future. A whole mess of them if I’m lucky, and my sister will have Layne in her life as a sister-in-law. Not that the two aren’t already connected at the hip.
“This is amazing. It’s so beautiful.” I admire the ring a little longer before addressing Andrew again. My thoughts fast forward to what my house will be like with Layne in it, adding her special touches to everything. I envision filling all of those extra bedrooms with children, a house full of sweet, angelic voices. I’m so ready for all of it, I can hardly contain my excitement.
“You look like you’re about to burst. I love that you love my sister that much. I know the feeling.” Andrew gets that faraway look he always gets when he’s thinking about Charlotte.
“I love her more than I ever imagined I could love anyone. To think I almost didn’t enter the cook-off. If I hadn’t…I don’t even want to think about that. I’m glad my sister pushed me to do it, and that Lottie signed Layne up without asking her.”
Andrew smiles. “Yeah, a lot of that going around in our family. Speaking of which, Lottie is convinced we should have dinner at our place this weekend.”
I’m surprised by his statement, considering how close their baby’s due date is. “She knows she’s about to have a baby, right?”
“I reminded her and she threw an empty carton of ice cream at my head. At this point, whatever she wants, she gets.” Andrew accepts the order Evalina brings him.
“Can’t argue with that.” I chuckle and sip my coffee again. Life has been so sweet since Layne decided to stay in Charleston, and it’s going to get so much better.
Layne walks beside me as we stroll down River Street, listening to music and taking in the sights. I love Savannah, and with spending weekends here every so often, it feels like a second home. The moon is high in the sky and the stars twinkle, reminding everyone it’s spring again already.
“It’s so beautiful here this time of year, even if it is ridiculously hot.” Layne grasps the railing and breathes in the air. The Savannah River offers a striking backdrop to just about anything, and I pray it’s the right time and place for what I’m about to do.
I reach inside my pocket and grasp the ring box her brother gave me this morning, ready to dive into the rest of my life with Layne. My heart races even faster than it did the first day I met her. Kneeling beside her gets the attention of passersby, but I don’t care. I’d propose to her in front of a stadium full of people.
This is it. The moment I’ve waited for since I chased her down and begged her to stay. I clear my throat…and her phone emits a loud screech.
I’ve never seen a woman leap away from a railing so fast and fish a phone from her pocket. Her eyes go wide, her mouth opens, and she shrieks, “Lottie is in labor!”
Oh…no. I manage to pull myself onto my feet and shove the ring box back in my pocket in time. Or so I thought. When I give my attention back to Layne, she’s staring at me with her phone in front of her, her eyes still wide, and a wrinkled brow.
“Layne?”
“Were…were you just about to…propose?”
My mouth, completely out of my control, flops open and closed several times without words. I’m kind of in a tight spot here. I don’t want to lie to her, but I know she’s going to want to race to the hospital since she is her sister-in-law’s emotional support…something.
“Ender Langley, don’t you lie to me right now.” Her expression morphs to one of determination and, frankly, it’s a bit scary.
“I was, yes, but then you got the message, and I thought maybe later would be better. I’m sorry, I didn’t know what—”
“Yes! Oh my gosh, Ender. Yes!” She launches into my arms and the people around us cheer. It’s probably the most hilarious proposal they have ever seen, but it fits us. Our moments always seem to be marked by interruption or misunderstanding. Good thing we’ve gotten good at ignoring most of them.
“I love you.” Burying my face in her shoulder has always been my favorite thing to do, and I murmur the words at her ear.
“I love you, too. As much as I can’t wait to be Mrs. Langley, we should probably get to the hospital. I promise we’ll celebrate tomorrow, okay?”
Crazy proposal? Check. Mad dash to the hospital? Check. A surprise no one but Lottie and Andrew expected? Double-check.
I’m pacing in the waiting room when a nurse comes out to tell the waiting family they are welcome to head to the nursery to see the babies.
