Everything was absolutely perfect.
Except for one thing.
“Hey, you,” Grace said as she slowly climbed the private stairs to our condo. “What are you doing out here all alone?”
“Enjoying the view,” I said, pulling her close as she made it to the top of the stairs. My hand automatically found the part of her belly that stuck out the farthest and caressed her there. “How are you feeling?”
“Pregnant,” she said with a smile. She never complained. Not once. And I understood that, knew that she viewed her pregnancy as a miracle and wasn’t about to complain about something she’d wished for for so long. But I knew it took its toll on her. I’d have to be blind not to see the times she rubbed her back, or winced as she ran a hand over her belly.
“I have something for you,” I said, gently taking her hand and leading her along the railing of the balcony.
“You do?”
“Yeah, down there.” I dropped her hand and pointed to the black velvet box sitting atop the railing a few yards away. She stopped and I heard a quick intake of breath. Her face turned toward me, shock and surprise written all over it. “Go. Open it.”
She walked slowly toward the box and when she reached it, her hand shook as she picked it up. I watched as she opened it slowly and waited, wanting desperately to see the reaction paint across her face. Grace never disappointed me, and I smiled as I watched her face go from surprise, to shock, and then straight to the ugly cry. She did that a lot too, now that she was carrying my baby, and I loved it. Almost as much as I loved her.
Her hand was covering her mouth, the tears were streaming down her cheeks, and she didn’t notice when I went down to one knee just to the side of her.
“Babe?” I asked with a laugh. She turned to find me on my knee and started crying harder. “Ah, don’t cry, Grace.” I took her hand and pulled her to sit on my knee, the ring box still cradled in her shaking fingers. “I want us to be a family, Grace. All five of us. I met you and was captured by your compassion, and years later your heart’s capacity still astounds me. If you let me, I’ll spend the rest of my life trying to match it. I’ll love you every day with everything I have, but it will still pale in comparison to the love you’ve shown me and my kids. Marry me, Grace? Let me love you forever.”
“Are Ruby and Jax all right with this?” she asked, placing one trembling hand on my cheek, making me love her that much more.
“They helped me pick out the ring.”
“You’ve given me everything I never thought I’d have.”
“Then say yes, sweetheart.” I brought her hand from my cheek to kiss her palm, watching her melt at my words.
“Yes,” she whispered, then laughed as she threw her arms around my neck.
Ruby and Jax ran up the stairs giggling and laughing, hugging Grace as she slipped the ring on her finger. I had my whole world right in front of me, and everything was beautiful in the presence of Grace.
The End