Page 56 of Carter

Carter knocks on the bedroom door before entering. When I make eye contact, his breath hitches. “Wow, you…you look beautiful,” his voice was full of awe. His eyes roam my body, taking in every inch of me. Carter looks sinfully delicious. He has on a black dress shirt and black slacks. What makes him even more delicious is the fact that Carter has a few of the top buttons undone, revealing his toned chest.

Luca came running dressed in a white dress shirt with a black bow tie, black trousers, and suspenders over his shoulders. Looking very fucking adorable, but little did I know what was hiding underneath his outfit.

Carter and Luca thought it would be best if I were blindfolded so their surprise didn't get ruined. The drive wasn’t very far. In fact, I would say that we are still inside the property. Carter parks the car, coming around to open my door with Luca by his side. My son takes my hand while Carter takes the other, leading me down the path. We come to a stop. I can feel the sun's heat hitting my skin and the breeze from the wind.

“Are you ready, Mommy,” Luca said with so much excitement in his voice.

“Yes, baby. I’m ready.” I say, swallowing hard as I can feel my heart beating faster and harder. I can feel Carter in front of me as his hands go up to touch the blindfold. His fingers caress my cheek. He leans his forehead against my nose, touching it as he whispers against me. “Ready, Peach?” I can’t respond too nervous. All I can do is nod.

Carter removes the blindfold, I open my eyes, and immediately I’m met with his intense gaze. I smile, feeling happy and content, Carter gives me a quick kiss, and before I know it, he motions for me to turn around. I do as I’m told and my body turns. I gasp when I see my family and friends have all gathered. The backyard is beautifully decorated.

I saw my family – my parents, my sisters, Jess and her husband, Ashton, Finn, Liam, Isabella, Eva, his parents, and a few other people from the pack. They were all gathered in the center of the tile dance floor we have on our lawn. My eyes scan a second time as I take in the tables outside the dance floor on the grass. There's also a bar set up and a food table with caterers. Each table has a stunning flower arrangement. The pillars around the area are all decorated with lights.

It's elegant and stunning.

I walk over to my friends and family, hugging each of them. I’m still shocked that Carter planned all this for me, and I have no idea why but I’m enjoying every minute.

We talked for a little bit as everyone enjoyed the food, the music, and the overall party. The caterers have left, and now it's just close family and friends. Luca seems to be having fun playing with Eva. Carter gets up from our table and makes his way over to Luca, whispering something in his ear before they both disappear inside the main house.

As I’m about to get up and make my way inside, my sisters intercept me. We talk for a few minutes before my little sister excuses herself and goes inside. As I’m about to excuse myself, Liam and Isabella intercept me. We chat for a few minutes about everything that has happened since we left Australia and how the pack is doing.

I see Carter coming back outside, and I excuse myself. He smiles at me as our gaze meets from across, and I can’t help but smile back. I’m currently on cloud nine. I walk a few more feet to where he is, but he seems nervous about something.

“Hey, baby. Everything okay?” I ask. Kissing him on the cheek quickly as I interlace our fingers together. I lean my head against his shoulder, taking this all in as I sigh. Carter kisses the top of my head as he mumbles a yes.

Carter pulls me to the dance floor so that we can dance “All of Me” by John Legend when, suddenly, Carter whispers that Luca wants to dance with me. I crouch down to pick him up, not even realizing what his onesie says until I hear the people in the back gasp, and it hits me.

I stand up, holding Luca’s little hand, turning around and seeing Carter on his knee. I lick my lips and then look behind me, then at the small velvet box in his hand, and finally, his turquoise eyes settle on me.

I want to scream my answer, but nothing comes out. My gaze lands on the ring in front of me.

It’s stunning!

It’s a rose gold morganite floral engagement ring. The sides have roses and a huge diamond.

Bonus Epilogue

Today, I will be asking Leandra to be my wife. She doesn't know what I have planned for tonight. The velvet box in my pocket was getting heavier by the hour. I make my way inside the main house with Luca so we could proceed with part two of the surprise. Leandra has no idea that I would be asking her to be my wife in less than an hour. Her sisters helped me plan this surprise for her. I asked her father for permission to marry his daughter, and both Alessandra and Angelo gave me their blessing.

Luca was ready to go with a white onesie that read:

Mommy, will you MARRY Daddy? ♥?

He looked adorable, and I know Leandra loves when Luca wears onesies because he looks super cute, and his chubby legs look adorable. Leandra’s little sister walks in to help me finish changing Luca, kissing him on his cheek. I walk back outside, ready to ask her to be my wife. I see Leandra talking to Liam and Isabella, and as soon as our gaze meet. She excuses herself.

She strides towards me, kissing me on the cheek as our fingers intertwine. Leandra leans her head against my shoulder, and we both take in the view feeling happy and content.

From the corner of my eyes, I can see Leandra’s little sister give me the signal that everything is good to go. The lights from the pillars and the ones hanging give just the right amount of light. I pull Leandra towards the dance floor as “All of Me” by John Legend plays. We dance, pulling her closer to me as everyone watches us. I whisper against Leandra’s ear, signaling to her that Luca wants to dance.

“Peach, Luca would like to dance with you,” I whisper against her before pulling away so that Leandra can turn around. Luca runs over to his mommy as Leandra crouches down to pick up our son, not even realizing what his onesie says until the last minute when he reaches her. She gasps as she takes in what his onesie says in big black letters. She takes his hand, standing up slowly as she turns to face me, only to see I’m on one knee. My eyes focus on her every move as I take her in.

“Mommy, will you marry Daddy?” I hear her whisper the words to herself, repeating the question that Luca currently wears proudly. “Peach, baby, who would have thought that the stranger before me that day on the plane would be the person I won’t last a day without?

From the very moment I laid eyes on you, I knew that my life was about to change. The connection is special. You’re special.” I pause for a second, gathering my thoughts. Leandra’s eyes start to water.

“My whole life was dedicated to work and my pack, but that all changed when I met you. Now my whole life will be dedicated to you and our son from this moment on. It fascinates me how far we have come. From all the difficult situations we’ve been through, now we’re here. With all the good times and hardships we’ve been through, one thing remains the same – you are the person I want to spend the rest of my life with…will you marry me?” I popped open the lid of the little velvet box. The diamond ring sparkled.

Tears escape her eyes. Her body is in full shock as she processes every word I have just spoken.

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