Page 110 of Preying Heart
“Even better, how about a promise ring?” I get on my knees and look into the eyes of the man I love. Taking a deep breath, I prepare to pour my heart out to him. It’s like being on stage again, but this is not acting. This is real life.
“When I first met you, Heath, all I wanted from you was protection and safety. I was frightened and confused. Scared of my own shadow. But you believed in me. You saw past the surface, and you opened your home to me. You opened your heart and you opened your life. To me. A stranger. You showed me love—unconditional love—and you assured me you’d never turn your back on me. I didn’t know how to love, but I always believed in you. Your goodness. Your honor. Your never leaving anyone behind. When I was trapped in that black hole. In the lowest depth of the fog, where I was lost in my drugged confusion. All I knew was I loved you—not because of everything you do for me, but because I would give my life for you. I prayed you would not find me. That you would not be locked up in the hole. That you would not be shot and killed. But you still came for me, and what I’m saying is, I didn’t want you to because I love you. Guess I’m confusing you, huh?”
I stop to wipe a tear trailing down Heath’s cheek.
He takes my hand and kisses it. “I hear you perfectly clear. You wanted to make sure you loved me not for what I do for you, but for what you can do for me.”
“Yes. That’s what took me so long, and now I have the chance to show you.” I fumble with the box I hid underneath the plant stand nearby. “I promise to love you and you only, and I’ll wait for you as long as you need.”
“I can’t wait any longer,” he says. “Justin, Slade, help me get on my knees.”
“No, you’ll hurt yourself.”
“Let me do it my way. I’ve still got one good knee.” Heath pushes himself from his wheelchair, guided by Slade and Justin propping him up. He rests his weight on his good leg, lopsided. He gives me that intense, adoring stare I know so well. “Will you marry me?”
“I already said yes,” I nod, smiling at him. “In the recovery room.”
“I remember, but I didn’t give you the ring.”
“Will you marry me?” I cut him off, eager to beat him to the punchline. He means so much to me, and I’m not bashful to show him along with the witnesses.
“Yes, with all my heart.” He shoves his hand into another pocket and produces his own ring box.
“Let’s open it together. Ready?” I pop the lid from my box and he opens the lid of his.
“They match!” Lucy shouts. “How did that happen?”
“Both Celtic knots with diamonds,” Slade says. “Of course, Remi, your rock is bigger.”
“His might have more total weight. It’s paved with diamonds on both borders.” I slip the ring on Heath’s hand, while he uses his one hand to push the ring on to my finger.
“Kiss. Kiss. Kiss,” everyone eggs us on.
And we comply.
Epilogue
Remi
One year later …
A smile crosses my face as I pick up the pregnancy test stick and knock on Heath’s office door before barging in.
Glock sniffs and follows me in. Instead of being crouched over the computer working on his crypto trades, Heath has his feet on the desk, leaning back with his eyes closed.
“Ah-ha, caught you!” I shake him awake and wiggle the stick in front of his eyes. “I’m pregnant!”
“Wow, you mean we’re pregnant.” He drops his feet onto the floor and sweeps me into his lap—my favorite seating arrangement.
He’s completely healed but walks with a limp. And we’re gloriously and happily married, living in the Fortress. I sold the penthouse after Gavin was convicted of all his crimes and thrown into prison for a good long time. Claudia took back all her money and is now chairperson of the board of OgleNet. Yeah, it turns out she’s my sister, but we’re not close.
“We have to tell Lucy and celebrate.” I indulge myself with a long, delicious kiss. “You are going to treat me to foot rubs and cook healthy foods for me, aren’t you?”
Glock gets himself in the middle of all the gooeyness, licking our faces.
“It doesn’t get any better than this, does it, love?” Heath’s eyes twinkle, and he ruffles Glock’s fur and my hair at the same time.
“When baby comes, our group hugs will grow, and then with the next one, even better.”
