Fighting his own laughter, Levi waves the sign in the air for a couple of seconds before he drops it to his side. “Well, did it work?”
“Your grand gesture?” I say, reaching out to take the sign and look at it closer. It’s not just scribbling on the giant piece of cardboard, it’s a story of the last few weeks. There’s a drawing of a cup with what looks like lemons next to it,signifying my lemonades, ice cream cones, what must be Toto but kinda looks like a dark black lump with ears. But that’s okay, I’m sure he’d be happy to be included and not offended.
There’s also a farm, a stack of books, and a bookstore sign—Pages and Prose to be precise—and there’s a picture of a man and woman, stick figures of course, holding hands with a little boy, while nearby another man and woman are floating above them.
I point to the stick people, grinning. “I guess this is us, and your mom and Austin?”
“Yes and no,” Levi says, pointing to the stick drawing of the man, woman, and child. “This one is us with Duncan.” He then slides his finger to the other man and woman, floating above and shows me something I didn’t see before.
“These are wings. Angel wings, as Duncan said.” Levi’s blue eyes slam into mine. “It’s Tom and Katie watching us.”
My hand flies to my heart. I’ve been sucker punched by a ten-year-old kid.
“This is more than a grand gesture, it’s a declaration.” Levi reaches out and takes my hand. “I love you.”
“I know,” I say, threading my arms around his neck. “I love you, too. I think I always have.”
“Over the last few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about us. How we’ve been slowly getting to know each other over the last year or so, and how for me it’s always been you. I can’t imagine it not being you by my side as I move into a whole new phase of my life.”
“A new phase?” I tilt my head to one side.
“I signed a letter of resignation for my team this morning. I’ll do one more season, but next year is my last. The press release will come out tomorrow.” His gaze is pulled over my shoulder, and I turn to see Duncan in the doorway inspecting the ostrich. Levi then drags his eyes slowly back to mine. “Things have changed. I want something different now and it’s here in Sweetkiss Creek, not on the road.”
I’m pretty sure if one was to describe the look on my face they’d call it flabber-confused. It’s beyond surprise. “Are you serious?”
“It’s what I want.” Levi then raises his hand in the air, snapping his fingers. In a flash, Duncan is by his side, handing him a small box. I watch in stunned silence as Levi drops to one knee, opening the box to present the most beautiful emerald and diamond ring I have ever seen.
“One thing we didn’t do right when we got—” He clears his throat, putting his hand to his mouth as he speaks out the side of it. “Engaged,” he whispers. “We never got you a ring.”
He takes the tiny bauble from its box, holding it in the air for me to see.
“Georgina Simpson, I cannot and will not spend another day without you by my side.”
“Me neither,” Duncan adds for good measure, making both of us crack up.
“And because of that, I need to ask you if you will please do me…” He then wraps an arm around Duncan. “Do us the honor of becoming my wife?”
The world around me stops. It’s quiet. I don’t hear the cars driving by, the sound of a resident arguing with the meter maid. I’m pretty sure a dog was barking, but nope. Can’t hear that either. I can’t make out anything except for my heart beating so loud it sounds as if it is inside my head.
That and I scream “YES!”
Throwing myself into Levi’s waiting arms, I kiss him, but only the G-rated version because…well, we’ve got a young, impressionable boy standing with us, jumping up and down.
With Levi’s arms around me, I throw my head back and laugh.
I love this life. I love this man. I love this kid.
I love this.
It’s my forever. I’ve finally found my own forever home.
My version of family and it is amazing.
Epilogue
GEORGIE
“Can I see it again?” Bex asks, but I feel like the words were mostly a warning because she grabs my hand before I answer and grins. “I mean, this thing is HUGE! I can see my reflection in it.”
