Page 32 of A Very Killer Christmas
I swallow, my throat dry and itchy. Usually, she’s the speechless one, and I talk for us both. Tonight, I can’t find the words. The mix of terrible anxiety and elation is too weird to express, so I just stand there like an idiot, watching her and waiting for my tongue to unlock.
But when Prudy shoots me a bitter, sad look, likely interpreting my silence as a sign of disappointment, I know I have to do something.
So I get down on my knees, still without a word, because my throat is squeezed tight by nerves. I open the little box and extend my hand toward her.
“A ring.”
She sounds baffled, cocking her head to the side as she looks at the gorgeous white gold band with a rhombus setting of four diamonds catching prisms in the light. I spent hours picking it out and finally settled on the most expensive ring in the shop. Only the best for my girl.
“Are you apologizing again?” She sounds faint and faraway, still clutching that test stick in her hand that hangs loosely by her side.
“Did I do something to apologize for?” I ask, relieved to have my voice back. “Anyway, I’m not. I’m proposing, silly. Will you be my wife and have my children? Please?”
She stares at me, nonplussed, and I grit my teeth and brace. Now I regret being so cocky about it. I’m completely in love with her, committed to be together till death do us part. Right until this moment, I thought I was pretty good at handling the way she’s not on the same page.
Prudy tolerates me. I’m in her life and bed because I claimed those spots as mine, and she just went along.
And on a normal day, I pretend she loves me back. This, however, will tear those pretensions to shreds. I’ll never be able to lie to myself again.
“Yes.”
I hang my head low, gritting my teeth as my eyes feel suddenly hot. God, I can’t cry. So undignified. I have to hold it together, because I knew she’d do that, I knew she’d say yes, and… Wait.
I look up, heart bursting with hope.
“Yes? You’ll marry me? For real?”
She fidgets, nibbling on her lower lip, her eyes creased with worry.
“I… Did you want me to say no? You seem disappointed. Did you only ask out of duty?”
“No!”
I jump to my feet and hug her tight, shaking with soundless laughter. “God, no. I was sure you’d say no, but I hoped so much for a yes! Did you mean it? Do you really want to be with me? It’s forever, baby, so think hard. I won’t let you go.”
“That’s the thing,” she says, laughing, too. “I don’t want you to go. Ever.”
“Yeah?” I pull away to look at her face. I am so happy, I can’t control my wide smile that’s making my cheeks hurt. “That’s a fucking relief, love. I promise you, I’ll be the best husband and father in the world. I love you.”
She gasps softly, watching me from under her lashes. Her mouth works soundlessly in that way of hers, trying on words before she says them out loud, and I wait patiently.
“I think I love you, too.”
I can’t hold back the happy laughter that bursts out of me.
“Youthink? God, that’s so cute. But I’ll take it. I’ll take anything you give me. I’m yours.”
I put the ring on her finger, and we both admire the way it sparkles. Prudy discretely wipes away a tear when she thinks I’m not looking, and I wipe away a few of my own.
It’s just the beginning, and I already have everything I’ve ever wanted. All that’s left is living a happy, long life with the woman I love.
Epilogue
Prudence
“How did tinsel, of all things, get in the crib?” I ask in exasperation, trying to untangle the shiny strands from Sarah’s sticky little fingers. “No, baby, that’s not a good thing to play with. And certainly not to eat. Come on, Mama will give you something better.”
The baby fusses but finally relinquishes her hold on the tinsel. I give her a safe toy, smiling when Rowley’s warm baritone floats up from the kitchen of our new house.
