The room broke into a mixture of gasps and loud laughs. I, however, closed my eyes and cursed under my breath as Liv turned rock solid in my arms.
“Sorry, son. She’ll like this better. I promise. That quiet proposal around the Christmas tree wasn’t going to cut it for me.” Leo chuckled before walking over to grip my shoulder.
“Wow. I was unaware my proposal had to cut it for you at all,” I growled, pinching the bridge of my nose.
It was Liv’s quiet voice that caught my attention.
“Proposal?” she squeaked.
Opening my eyes, I found her staring up at me with tears pooling.
It was not at all how I had planned it.
I had the grand idea of us being alone—together in our new house. Lounging in front of a crackling fire with the twinkling lights of our Christmas tree glowing in the background. Liv’s small body tucked into my side—my strong arms protectively wrapped around her. I’d nuzzle into her hair and remind her that, while we had only been together a few months, we had already spent a lifetime together. She’d smile up at me with those big, brown doe eyes. I’d place a gentle kiss on her lips, and when she opened her eyes, I’d be holding the diamond ring I’d had custom-made for her the day after she’d told me that she loved me.
That had been my plan.
This—in the middle of Till’s living room with both of our families looking on—was definitely Leo’s plan.
However, the yes shining bright in her eyes was more than enough to have me abandoning my plan altogether.
“So…funny story,” I started nervously. “I asked your dad a little while ago if he’d be okay with me proposing.”
“So I’ve heard,” she breathed.
I glanced up to find every eye in the room glued to me. Ash, Eliza, Erica, and Sarah were crying already. Slate was grinning impossibly wide. Flint was wearing a crooked grin I’d long since discovered beamed with pride. And Till and Leo looked every bit of the emotional fathers they were. Every face, no matter the emotion, was covered with a huge smile.
Maybe surrounded by family wasn’t the worst way to do this.
I looked back down at Liv, who was staring up at me with rapt attention.
“Hang on. Okay?” I said. Then I released her and jogged from the room.
I could hear the loud chatter of questions as I rushed to my gym bag hidden in my old bedroom and pulled out the ring I’d shown Leo.
Shoving it in my pocket, I made my way back into the living room.
“Sorry,” I said, wiping my suddenly clammy palms on my jeans.
Why was proposing so nerve-racking?
I knew that Liv was going to say yes, but my heart still raced as I took her small hand in mine.
Her bright eyes sparkled with unshed tears as she looked up at me. “You don’t have to do this just because of my dad.”
“You’re right. I don’t. Technically, I don’t ever have to do this.” I smirked, pulled the huge, square diamond solitaire out, and lifted it in her direction.
Her hand flew to her mouth, and she reached toward the ring before pulling her hand away. It was as though she were afraid to touch it for fear it would disappear.
“This. Changes nothing, Rocky. Sliding this on your finger won’t make me love you any more than I already do. A romantic vow won’t change my dedication to you. A marriage license won’t make us any more serious. This ridiculously expensive ring changes absolutely nothing but my bank account.” I paused as she giggled. “With or without this ring, I’m going to spend a lifetime with you. I’m still going to love you until the day I die. Nothing changes, Liv. Nothing.”
I sucked in a deep breath, but I didn’t hold it.
Not now. Not with Liv.
Dropping to a knee, I said, “I will love you forever. But that doesn’t start when I give you this ring. It started the very first time I laid eyes on you—and it will never end. Marry me, Liv.”
She didn’t say a word as she flew into my arms and buried her face in my neck. Her shoulders shook, but I had no idea if she was crying or laughing. I figured, either way, it was a positive sign, so I squeezed her impossibly tight. Glancing up at the warm faces of our family surrounding us, I couldn’t even be pissed at Leo anymore. The smiles were bright as love illuminated each one of them.
Some minutes later, Liv still hadn’t answered.
“I know I said that you don’t have to say yes, but it would go a long way in not making me look like a dumbass right now.” I whispered.
She barked a laugh and leaned away, replying with a megawatt grin, “Yes.”
No sooner had I slid the ring on her finger than she was gone.
Her mother hugged her. Her dad shook my hand, welcoming me into the family. Ash and Eliza squealed over the ring, while Till and Flint each took their turns wrapping me in a painful bear hug.