Page 79 of Madness

I sit on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in mine. "Lauren, I love you. You and Roman... you've given me a family, a home. I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

I open the ring box, my heart pounding. "Will you marry me?"

Lauren's eyes widen, glistening with tears in the dim light. For a moment, there's silence. Then she nods, a radiant smile spreading across her face.

"Yes," she whispers. "Yes, of course I'll marry you."

As I slip the ring onto her finger and pull her into a kiss, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude. This is my family. My home. My happily ever after.

And it's only the beginning.

- THE END -