Page 96 of Right With You
Dove stepped up then raised her roses and her bright blue eyes found mine. Of course, there were tears clinging to her lashes as she said, “Your beautiful heart.”
She pulled me in for a hug and then stage-whispered, “And don’t mind if I say so, butdat ass.”
More laughing as they wiped away tears. “This was so lovely, you guys, but?—”
They parted, and behind them was Luc on one knee.
My heart stuttered, then sprinted. Dove took the flowers from me and guided me forward until Luc held my hand in his.
“Elise,mon cœur.”
He smiled that heartbreaking smile of his and I couldn’t help but loose a laugh-sob, so much happiness and love flowing out of me.
“Luc,” I said, not knowing what else to do with myself but grasp his hand and listen as he spoke.
“These months with you have been the happiest in my life. There are so many reasons I love you. Your friends helped me express a few of them—even the ad libbed additions.”
Everyone laughed, and I became aware that more people were here, witnessing the moment. Behind Luc were a crowd of faces I knew and loved—my friends’ partners, his sister and Michele, some of my other local friends… so many beloved people.
“It hasn’t been all that long, but I’m sure. Honestly, I’ve been sure since I asked you if you wanted more—I was just too scared to acknowledge what I wanted. I’ve wanted you in one way or another since the first time I saw you and my desire to know you and be yours has only multiplied with the days that’ve passed. We aren’t perfect together, Elise, but we’re right.”
I nodded, because every word he said, I echoed.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small box, clicking it open with his thumb and showing me a gorgeous, sparkling, very familiar ring.
“Take me as your husband and let me be yours until our hearts give out. Let’s share this life. Let’s get married.”
I couldn’t control the tears as they slipped down. This man had said everything right, just like he’d demonstrated he’d do day in and day out since this wild ride started. We disagreed, sometimes even fought, but it was never mean-spirited. It wasn’t the kind of purposeful hurting or gaslighting. It came from genuine mistakes, confusion, or miscommunication. Because we were two imperfect people, and he was so completely correct.
“We’re right together. I’ll be yours if you’ll be mine,” I said, hands shaking and desperate to hug him.
“Yes. I’m all yours.”
I grinned through the tears now. “And I’m all yours. Yes. I’ll marry you.”
I launched into his arms as he stood, and we kissed as he twirled me around. The whole crowd was whistling and laughing and cheering.
After a moment, he pulled away. “I wanted them all here because they all love you. They supportyou, Elise, and they love you. You are never alone, and neither am I. We have each other and this whole messy family.”
More tears and laughter, and another soft, perfect kiss.
He slid the ring on my finger. It was still huge, but I couldn’t pretend I didn’t love it. His smile practically exploded off his face at the sight of that ring back on my hand, and he hugged me close again.
Our friends—or better yet, the family we’d made—began circling around, hugging us, laughing, clapping, and congratulating us both. I was so happy, so full of joy I never would’ve imagined, and so deeply grateful.
And as Dove wiped another round of tears from her cheeks and Liz hugged me again, as Kenny pulled me and Luc into an obnoxiously tight group hug, and Dorian stepped out from the shadows to shake my hand and hug Luc… there it was. A thought I’d had more than once these last few months, but one that was loud and clear now.
This was better than any fantasy I could dream up.
* * *
I hope you loved Luc and Elise’s story! Don’t miss a bonus epilogue from Stone’s point of view next, and get your copy of his book, Anything For You, today.
BONUS EPILOGUE
Stone
There was a person in my bed.
